Gen Z Turns to Prescription Drugs for Socialising as 28% of Young Adults Report High Anxiety
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 18
Gen Z Turns to Prescription Drugs for Socialising as 28% of Young Adults Report High Anxiety
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 18
Summary
Prescription drugs such as Pregabalin and Propranolol are increasingly being used by young people as alcohol substitutes on nights out, with users saying the pills ease social anxiety and avoid hangovers.
28% of people in their early 20s in England report high anxiety, and researchers say social media is accelerating the shift by promoting drug "stacks" and linking users to illegal online sellers.
2,360 drug-poisoning death certificates in England and Wales mentioned pregabalin in 2020-2024, up from 768 in 2015-2019, while experts warn unsupervised high-dose use can cause dependence, insomnia and suicidal thoughts.
26% of UK 18- to 24-year-olds said they did not drink alcohol last year, versus 7% in 2012, helping create demand for substances marketed online as cleaner, cheaper and safer than alcohol.
China has tightened online sales and production limits for pregabalin, while UK advisers are reviewing misuse, underscoring fears that a growing search for chemical help with socialising could deepen black-market and addiction risks.