[Epidemiology of drug consumption in Austria--recommendations for health counselling].

A representative survey of the Austrian population showed these results: 31% (women 39%, men 23%) use pharmaceutical drugs on a regular basis; high consumption rates are observed among people of 50 years and above (50-59 years of age 49%, 60 years and above 64%), among people in bad health condition (68%), among overweight (38%) or people who report being under stress (46%). Another group with high consumption of pharmaceutical drugs are those who already have reduced consumption of tobacco or alcohol. On the basis of epidemiological findings a concept "how to use pharmaceutical drugs" is designed which stresses the differentiation between necessary (and often not applied) medication and abuse of pharmaceutical drugs.