Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Chinese Teens Turn to Prescription Drugs Under Pressure
Some Chinese teenagers feel very worried about school, exams and problems at home.
A few are taking medicines without a doctor’s permission to feel numb or escape those worries.
One girl, called Xiaomei, started taking medicine when she was 14.
She later bought other medicines online and took large amounts.
Teenagers in online groups sometimes share advice about these drugs.
Authorities have stopped some medicines from being easily obtained, but users may look for different ones.
Experts say loneliness, family pressure and a lack of child psychiatrists can make the problem worse.
Xiaomei says her recovery improved when her parents listened and showed understanding instead of criticizing her.
Chinese teenagers are increasingly misusing prescription drugs to cope with academic pressure, anxiety and family conflicts.
A student identified as Xiaomei began taking cough medicine at 14 and later obtained unprescribed medications online.
Teenagers in online chat rooms reportedly share drug-taking advice, dosage-related experiences and ways to avoid detection.
Authorities have restricted some drugs, but users reportedly switch to other substances or use coded language to find them.
Experts link the trend to isolation, family pressure, limited mental-health services and uncertainty about future opportunities.
- Who
- Chinese teenagers, including a student identified as Xiaomei, are misusing prescription and other medicines; experts and authorities are responding to the trend.
- What
- Prescription drug misuse is reportedly rising among Chinese minors seeking to cope with stress, anxiety and emotional distress.
- When
- The report describes an increasingly reported trend; Xiaomei misused drugs over a period of two years after starting at age 14.
- Where
- China, including online platforms and social-media chat rooms where teenagers obtain information or medicines.
- Why
- Teenagers cited academic pressure, poor exam results, conflicts at home and a desire to escape reality; experts also point to isolation, family pressure, economic uncertainty and limited child-psychiatry services.
- Affected group
- Chinese teenagers and other minors
- Reported motive
- Coping with academic pressure, anxiety, exam stress and family conflict
- Example
- Xiaomei began taking cough medicine at 14 and later obtained unprescribed medications online
- Online activity
- Teenagers reportedly share experiences, drug-search terms and methods for evading detection
- Official response
- Authorities have cracked down on specific drugs, while users reportedly switch to others or use coded names
- Mental-health context
- The report says depression affects nearly 95 million people in China, many of them under 18
- Treatment barrier
- Child psychiatrists remain scarce in China