9% of adults have taken anti-depressants

Nine per cent of adults have taken anti-depressants and 15% have used sedatives or tranquillisers, according to a study carried out by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs.

The report examines the use of sedatives, tranquilisers and anti-depressants in 2006 and 2007.

More women than men use such drugs and prevalence rates are higher among adults than young people.

The North has a higher prevalence rate for all three drug types and people who are divorced or separated are more likely to use the substances.

Usage is also higher among people with low levels of education and income.

While most users got the substances by prescription, 11% of people who had taken sedatives or tranquillisers got them from someone they know or without a prescription in a chemist.

Commenting on the figures, NACD chairperson Dr Des Corrigan stated that the report found associations between gender and various indicators of deprivation and higher prevalence rates.

"The findings indicate that long term state dependence, not being in paid work and lower levels of educational attainment are linked with higher prevalence rates."