People who take recreational drugs are more likely to have sleep problems, particularly if they use cannabis, according to new research from the national statistics agency CBS and public health agencies.

Some 10% of the Netherlands’ over 17s said they had taken at least one type of drug at least once in 2021/2022, a rise of one percentage point from the previous survey in 2017/2018. 

Marijuana remains the most popular drug and is used by 5% of the population. Some 3% say they have used both cannabis and other drugs and 2% said they had taken drugs but not cannabis. 

Cannabis use remains stable, the CBS said, but the use of others, such as amphetamines and ecstasy had risen slightly.

The survey also found that people who use drugs are more likely to have mental and sleep problems, particularly those who use cannabis. Some 40% of cannabis users reported having difficulty sleeping, compared with 23% of the wider population. 

Some 25% of drug users also reported having psychological issues, compared with 13% of those who don’t use any drugs, some 29% suffered from periods of anxiety, compared with 16% of non-users and 22% had symptoms of depression, as opposed to 9% of non-users.