Chinese Teens Turn to Mind-Altering Drugs to Escape Reality Amidst Academic Pressure
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Chinese teenagers are increasingly using prescription drugs, including those for pain and epilepsy, to escape the pressures of academic life.
- They obtain these medications online, often without prescriptions, and use them in large doses to achieve a "pharmaceutical high" or a numb sensation.
- Authorities have launched crackdowns on certain drugs, like cough suppressants, and imposed tighter controls on others, as the problem gains attention.
In China, a growing number of teenagers are turning to powerful prescription drugs as a means to cope with intense academic pressure, seeking a temporary escape from reality. Fourteen-year-old *Xiaomei, a high-achieving student, recounted her experience of overdosing on cough medication bought online to achieve a relaxing effect. This initial experiment led her down a path of using various prescription drugs, including those for pain and epilepsy, sometimes taking more than 10 tablets at once.
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. I was running away from reality.
These teenagers describe chasing a "pharmaceutical high," a sensation of numbness or dizziness that offers a brief respite from the constant stress of exams, parental expectations, or academic failures. Chat groups on social media platforms have become hubs for sharing experiences and tips on obtaining and using these drugs. Some users offer advice on how to induce hallucinations or suggest specific keywords for online searches, highlighting the organized nature of this underground network.
The scale of the problem remains difficult to quantify due to a lack of official data. However, the trend is significant enough to have prompted government action. Two years ago, authorities classified the cough suppressant *Xiaomei initially used as a psychotropic drug, restricting its online availability. More recently, in April, a shift to other medications prompted further regulatory measures, imposing stricter controls on prescriptions.
I feel my body doesn't belong to me. I'm so dizzy.
Experts believe the intense focus on studying, which consumes a significant portion of students' days, contributes to their anxiety and drives them to seek such dangerous coping mechanisms. The drugs, when taken in excessive doses, can lead to serious side effects, including hallucinations, impaired coordination, confusion, and delirium, posing a grave risk to the physical and mental health of these young individuals.
If you want to hallucinate, you can just buy... it's not been controlled yet.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by BBC News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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