Tranquillisers: prevalence, predictors and possible consequences. Data from a large United Kingdom survey

Data related to tranquilliser/hypnotic use is presented from a large (n = 9,003) random representative United Kingdom sample of adults (18+ years). On the day of interview 4.2% of females and 2.1% of males reported current use of tranquillisers. Increased probability of current use was significantly related to female sex, older age, increased symptoms of psychological malaise and physical ill-health, elevated neuroticism scores on the Eysenck Personality Inventory, lower socioeconomic status, unemployment, current smoking in some groups, and less participation in active leisure pursuits. There was no convincing trend with standard geographical region.