These pages answer the questions most often asked about gender and drugs, with a focus on the situation in Europe.

Men are more likely than women to use substances, including illicit drugs. There are notable differences in patterns of use and potential consequences of drug use. However, the phenomenon of drug use has historically been treated as a ‘gender-neutral’ issue, thereby potentially overlooking significant differences between women and men in all their diversity (see Glossary).

When gender has been considered, the focus has largely been on women and issues specific to them, such as drug use during pregnancy. This has left a considerable gap in the analysis of gender differences in drug use and the interventions addressing them.

A lack of comprehensive research and monitoring on gender differences in drug use and its consequences makes it difficult to assess needs accurately and develop appropriate interventions. These FAQs provide an overview of the main concepts relating to gender and drugs, a summary of available data and a description of gender-responsive interventions reported by EU Member States and Norway and Türkiye. Most of the data discussed in these FAQs are based on sex at birth. Information on gender identity and drugs remains scarce and is included where possible.

The aim of the FAQs is to address a knowledge gap at the European level by providing experts, practitioners and policymakers with resources on the links between gender and drugs. The FAQs also support the systematic inclusion of a gender perspective in drug research, monitoring, policies and interventions.