One third live life stoned
By Kelly Ryan
June 20, 2003

A THIRD of Australians cruise through life stoned. A study shows 27 per cent rely on drugs or drink risky levels of alcohol for their mental well-being.

Preferred prescriptions are for anti-depressants or sleeping pills.

Others dependant on illegal drugs take the total number of people on medications to more than 30 per cent of the population.

The Australia Institute survey reports men are more likely to seek refuge in alcohol, while women turn to tablets.

Institute executive director Dr Clive Hamilton said the results dispelled the myth of a carefree Australian identity.

"A large section of the population appears to go through life in a substance-induced state designed to cope with, or shut out, the stresses of modern life," Dr Hamilton said. "For decades, we have all been striving for the good life.

"Now that most of us have it, a large proportion of the population seems to be dependant on medications and other substances to avoid falling into a more permanent state of anxiety, depression or despair."

Poor people are more likely to rely on medication for mental well-being while the rich resort to alcohol.

The study also found Victorians were less likely to rely on alcohol than people in Queensland and New South Wales.