Rising medication use in Spain

Reports indicate a significant trend in the consumption of tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and anxiety medications within Spain.

In the Navarra region, a survey by the Irache Consumer Association found that 14% of residents use tranquilizers for sleep or anxiety, with the highest rate of 21% observed among adults aged 30 to 45. The data also highlighted a gender disparity, noting that 18% of women use these medications compared to 10% of men. Health experts expressed concern regarding improper self-diagnosis via online information and the illegal sale of unauthorized medicines through fraudulent websites.

On a national level, data from the Esvidas addiction centers network and the 2025 OEDA report show a historical peak in hypnosedative use, with 27.4% of the Spanish population having consumed such drugs at some point. Statistics from the 2024 EDADES survey indicate that approximately 456,000 people began using these medications within a single year. Furthermore, an OCU survey reported that 22% of Spaniards aged 18 to 70 use these substances, with nearly half of those users consuming them daily. Specialists have warned that these medications are becoming normalized, often shifting from temporary stress relief to long-term routines, with approximately 5% of the population admitting to use without a medical prescription.