Pregabalin, the new face of addiction in China
Prescribed by doctors for anxiety disorders, the drug use is raising questions among doctors due to its increasing abuse. Advertised in forums and private chats, it is presented as a "safer" alternative to other, more controlled, substances. The problem of limited responses to young people's psychological distress is compounded by the stigma that still discourages many of them from seeking help.
Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies) – In China, health professionals are becoming increasingly worried about drug abuse among adolescents and young adults involving pregabalin, a substance typically prescribed for epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and anxiety disorders.
Beijing News reported the story in an in-depth article, translated and published by the English-language portal Sixth Tone.
According to the news outlet, the issue – further confirmation of the widespread problem of addiction in China – appeared to have developed after the Chinese government cracked down on dextromethorphan, a common cough suppressant that had become popular among young people for its dissociative effects.
Although the drug requires a prescription, it has become an ideal substitute since it is inexpensive (a bottle costs just 20 yuan), requires minimal testing before issuing an electronic prescription, and is (erroneously) marketed as “safer”.
Clinical cases, in fact, tell a very different story. The article reports, in particular, the story of two young people who showed how the drug initially offered relief from mood disorders and anxiety, or even just relationship difficulties or academic or work-related pressure.
Quickly, it quickly became habit-forming, prompting a progressive increase in doses and paving the way for serious side effects such as hallucinations, memory loss, paranoia, heart problems, and withdrawal symptoms.
From a medical perspective, the problem has taken many professionals by surprise. Pregabalin, when taken correctly, is not classified as a dangerous substance from an addiction perspective.
The first documented cases of abuse, reported in 2024 and 2025, indicate that the problem is no longer episodic but structural and growing. This, according to Beijing News, has sparked a regulatory debate.
On the one hand, some doctors predict that pregabalin will follow the same path as dextromethorphan, becoming a strictly controlled substance. On the other, some warn that excessive restrictions could harm patients who truly need it, pushing them towards far more dangerous opioid analgaesics.
A key factor is the role of social media. Online forums, private chats, and platforms like Xiaohongshu disseminate information on dosages, effects, and purchasing methods, often downplaying the risks.
In university settings, the combination of curiosity, social pressure, and emotional fragility fosters emulation.
Specialists agree on one point: pharmacological control alone is not enough. Pregabalin abuse is a visible symptom of deeper distress, linked to loneliness, depression, anxiety, and a lack of psychological support among young people in China.
An effective response would require not only regulating and monitoring online sales, but also strengthening mental health services and reducing the stigma that discourages people from seeking help.
The story of Lin Ke (not her real name), who today tries to live with her emotions without numbing them, shows that the real challenge is not just limiting access to pills, but offering credible alternatives to the emotional pain that drives people to seek them.
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