Chinese teens are turning to mind-numbing drugs to 'run away from reality'

Chinese adolescents are increasingly misusing prescription drugs as a means to "escape reality," often driven by intense academic pressure.

At the age of 14, *Xiaomei, an accomplished student from a coastal Chinese province, intentionally consumed an excessive amount of cough medicine. She was influenced by an older boy who suggested it would induce relaxation. Although typically requiring a doctor's prescription, she procured the tablets online. Initially, she experienced mild dizziness, but soon became dependent on the subtle numbing sensation, which offered a temporary reprieve from the stress of impending exams. High doses of this medication can lead to severe side effects, including hallucinations and impaired motor skills.

Subsequently, she experimented with other medications recommended in online chat groups, some intended for pain relief or epileptic seizures. Her consumption varied, sometimes taking five tablets, other times exceeding ten to experience the combined effects of different drugs. For two years, she consumed substantial quantities of various prescription drugs, none of which were prescribed to her or her family. All were acquired via the internet.

"When I felt too much pressure from my studies, or I didn't do well at exams, or even when I quarrelled with my parents, I would take these drugs," she disclosed to the BBC. "I was running away from reality."

The BBC has encountered similar narratives from numerous Chinese teenagers in online chat rooms across various social media platforms. A recurring theme among them was the desire to escape pressure, which they achieved by pursuing what is termed a "pharmaceutical high."

One girl shared a voice message after ingesting large doses of a neuropathic pain medication, her speech slurred and difficult to comprehend: "I feel my body doesn't belong to me. I'm so dizzy." The response she received was, "Just sleep. You will be fine tomorrow."

Another boy offered to use his father's expired prescription to forge a new one for the same drug. Some users provided advice, such as, "If you want to hallucinate, you can just buy... it's not been controlled yet," suggesting a drug used by Parkinson's patients to manage tremors, which can cause confusion or delirium in excessive amounts. Another user inquired, "Which keyword should I use to search for it on online platforms?"

Experts believe that the extensive study hours of Chinese students contribute significantly to their anxiety. The full extent of this issue is difficult to ascertain due to a lack of official statistics.

However, the problem is sufficiently serious that the government initiated a nationwide crackdown two years ago on the cough suppressant Xiaomei initially used, reclassifying it as a psychotropic drug available only with a doctor's prescription. This measure significantly hindered online purchases by young people. In April of this year, authorities observed a shift to another drug among young people and implemented stricter controls on its prescription and dispensing at pharmacies. Despite these efforts, the BBC was offered the drug in an online chat room for as little as 10 Chinese yuan ($1.5; £1.09) per gram.

A 2025 paper from the Crime Prevention Institute at the Ministry of Justice noted, "Non-regulated substances are easy to acquire and even when one drug is controlled by the authorities, young people quickly find alternatives." The BBC also found instances of teens using alternative drug names online to evade detection, a practice also highlighted in the 2025 study.

There is increasing evidence globally that young people are turning to prescription medication to cope with pressure and anxiety. Given China's role as the primary producer of the world's pharmaceutical ingredients, the easy availability of inexpensive prescription drugs there is perhaps not surprising.

Xiaomei recounted that purchasing the cough suppressant involved just a few clicks for a full box to be delivered to her home. "You could simply enter your ID number on shopping platforms and buy it directly." Despite her national identity number including her age, she stated that she was sold the drug without any questions. It was also inexpensive, with 50 tablets often costing less than a dollar.

Officially, China appears to be succeeding in its fight against illegal drugs. Official data for 2025 indicates a significant 41% decrease in newly identified drug users under 35. However, authorities have acknowledged that the misuse of prescription drugs is becoming a widespread problem, particularly surging among minors, as warned by China's National Narcotics Control Commission in a recent report.

Xiaomei revealed that many students in her elite chemistry class discussed methods of overdosing on prescription drugs to avoid feeling like "complete losers." She explained, "It is just so hard to pass exams and to stay in elite classes. In our school, the elite classes operate on an elimination system; if your academic scores drop, you get kicked out of the class. When you fail, you feel like failures, believing you have no chance in life."

Renowned Chinese sociologist and director of the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, Xiang Biao, attributes some of this pressure to parents who view their child as their sole hope for the future. He added that due to the decades-long one-child policy, which ended in 2016, many families have only one child who bears all their expectations.

"What makes Chinese teens different is their isolating environment. They spend at least nine or 10 hours in school. They have very few chances to develop social relationships, very few opportunities to witness what life is really like." More concerning, Biao observes a correlation between prescription drug abuse and an increase in self-harm. The BBC, for instance, noted that in many chat rooms, young people encouraged each other to cut themselves "to feel something."

As a highly competitive high school entrance exam approached, Xiaomei sought a different drug to alleviate her anxiety. "But my memory deteriorated rapidly," she stated. "I couldn't remember anything clearly, and I lived in a constant daze." This drug is typically prescribed for epileptic seizures and neuropathic pain. When Xiaomei described the side effects in one of her chat groups, they suggested another pain relief drug. She found some relief but soon required higher doses.

Months before the crucial exam, she took an excessive amount. After consuming 50 tablets, she panicked. "I was afraid something serious might happen, but I didn't want to have my stomach pumped so I wanted to wait before telling my parents." However, her condition worsened to the point where she had to confess.

Her parents responded to what they perceived as their daughter's plea for help. "They mostly expressed how heartbreaking it was for them to see me like that. They didn't scold or criticise me. Their approach was gentle." This approach, for Xiaomei, made all the difference.

Biao commented, "Many children receive lots of attention but the type of attention they want is to be asked how they feel. Do they feel lonely or stressed? Often in China parents brush that away and say you just have to be stronger." He concluded, "There's a very loud alarm being sounded out across Chinese society. Adults have to examine how to be responsible for a teenager. Having an open conversation as a family - that is probably the most rewarding part of life."

Experts believe that the real challenge lies here. Instead of a "whack-a-mole" approach to suppressing online sales of prescription drugs, the government should focus on what may be a mental health crisis. A 2023 study for China's Mental Health Blue Book revealed that nearly 95 million people suffer from depression, with over 30% being under 18 years old.

The Chinese government has acknowledged the need for mental health support for teenagers. Plans include counseling rooms in every school, psychiatric services in at least one hospital per county, and an increase in mental health professionals. The goal is to establish a nationwide system of psychological support and crisis intervention by 2030. Progress has been notable, with the State Council reporting that 92% of primary schools and 95% of junior middle schools now have a counselor. Many major cities, including Beijing, have begun integrating mental health into the curriculum.

However, there remains a significant shortage of medical psychiatrists specializing in children and adolescents. A 2020 study published in The Lancet, a British medical journal, indicated only 500 qualified child psychiatrists in the country, many concentrated in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. This presents a substantial challenge in a nation that has undergone three decades of unprecedented social and economic transformation.

The China Xiaomei's parents experienced is vastly different from the future she faces. Her parents adhered to a Communist Party narrative: work diligently, and you will be rewarded. Today, even with high grades and a university degree, a promising future is not guaranteed for young adults. Following arduous pandemic restrictions, the Chinese economy has struggled to recover. An estimated one in five young people are struggling to find employment, and families are reducing their spending.

"People have become more pessimistic in general," Biao admitted, adding that this anxiety extends to adults. "I think parents feel confused and anxious because they see a problem in their children, but they don't see an alternative. If my child has a problem, it's the end of the world. If my child doesn't do well in school, it's the end of the world. If my child doesn't speak to me, it's the end of the world. I think we should pay more attention to parents as well as children."

Fortunately, Xiaomei and her parents have successfully navigated this challenge. "In the past, my parents didn't really understand me and would say some pretty harsh things. I felt like I had no help and was truly on my own," she recalled. This changed after her overdose and subsequent hospitalization. They began listening and talking to her, and "knowing that there was someone standing by my side made me feel really good," she said. This support even helped her perform well in the entrance exam she had long dreaded. "I am lucky to have their support," she added.

Not everyone finds such support, which is where *Lu Jingchan hopes to make a difference. The 22-year-old battled depression for years, struggling to overcome the euphoria derived from prescription drugs, leading to more than four overdoses in four years. "The drugs drove me to the brink of madness. You risk sinking into an abyss of addiction, destroying your health," he warned.

He has now ceased all prescription medication and dedicates his time to social media, urging others to avoid starting. He offers this advice to young people facing similar pressures: "I hope you can face life head-on, without needing medicines to numb yourselves. If you are overdosing, I want to give you the courage to stop. I believe your lives will improve. I believe you will all find happiness."

*Names have been altered to protect identities.