Lean is a slang term used to describe cough syrup that contains an opioid substance that many teens and young adults drink to get high. Also known as Purple Drank, Dirty Sprite, or Sizzurp, it became popular due to its presence in popular songs and the media. Since lean contains codeine, an opioid drug, drinking it could lead to addiction due to the way it interacts with your brain’s reward system.
When people abuse lean, they are mixing a prescription cough syrup with soda and candy. The prescription cough syrup in lean is used to treat coughs from colds in adults.[1] Because many people abuse large amounts of it, the risk of overdosing on codeine is high.
If you are worried that a loved one is abusing lean, being aware of what it’s made of and the risk of misuse is extremely important.
What Substances are in Lean?
The contents of lean can vary from person to person depending on who is making it. However, most people are drinking a combination of codeine, promethazine, soda, and hard candy. People mix the cough syrup with soda and hard candy to make it taste better so they can drink large amounts.
The substances found in lean include:
Codeine
Codeine is a prescription opioid pain reliever that can be found in tablets, capsules, or liquid form.[2] The codeine found in lean is a liquid, as people are using a prescription cough syrup to get high. Codeine belongs to the same class of drugs as substances like heroin, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.
People abuse lean because the codeine binds to opioid receptors in their brains to create feelings of relaxation, euphoria, and drowsiness. Abusing lean is dangerous because it may contain high doses of codeine, which can lead to life-threatening overdoses and respiratory depression.
Promethazine
Promethazine is a prescription antihistamine and antiemetic, which means it can treat allergies, motion sickness, and nausea. Additionally, promethazine can act as a sedative and is often used to relax or sedate patients before surgeries.[3]
Promethazine is used in combination with codeine in the prescription cough syrup that people use to make lean. When someone abuses codeine and promethazine at the same time, the symptoms of drowsiness can become increased. As a result, consuming large amounts of lean can lead to respiratory depression.
Soda and Candy
Lastly, people mix the codeine and promethazine cough syrup with hard candies like Jolly Ranchers and sodas like Sprite to make it easier to drink. The cough syrup is usually bitter-tasting to prevent people from drinking large quantities at once. By adding soda and hard candy, people can give the drink a sweeter taste, making lean much easier to drink and to consume in higher doses.
What are the Effects of Lean?
The slang term “lean” was created because it causes drowsiness and unsteadiness, making people lean on the things next to them to balance. The main ingredient in lead is codeine, an opioid that is notorious for causing mind-altering effects like sedation and euphoria. When you abuse lean, the effects usually take place within 30 to 45 minutes of consuming it.
The effects of lean include:[4]
- Euphoria
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Slowed heart rate and breathing
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Changes in appetite and weight gain
- Impaired vision
- Memory loss
- Hallucinations
- Seizures (in at-risk individuals)
When abused frequently, you may become addicted to the codeine found in lean. Because codeine causes your brain to associate it with pleasure and reward, you might begin to crave it, causing the cycle of addiction to begin. If you or a loved one are addicted to lean, it’s time to seek professional help from a drug rehab center.
Can You Overdose on Lean?
When people drink lean or Dirty Sprite, they tend to abuse it in large amounts. This can be incredibly dangerous, as using high doses of codeine can result in life-threatening overdose and respiratory depression. Being aware of the signs of a lean overdose can empower you to get a loved one the emergency medical help they need.
The symptoms of a lean overdose include:[4]
- Bluish fingernails and lips
- Slowed and labored breathing, shallow breathing, or stopped breathing
- Cold and clammy skin
- Confusion
- Severe drowsiness or sedation
- Flushing of the skin
- Severe itching
- Lightheadedness and dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
- Low blood pressure and weak pulse
- Muscle twitches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tiny, pinpointed pupils
- Spasms of the stomach and intestines
- Coma
- Death
Find Help for Lean Abuse and Addiction
If you or a loved one frequently abuses lean, it’s time to seek professional help. Continued abuse of lean can result in addiction and an increased risk of fatal overdoses. Thankfully, addiction treatment centers like Flourishing Foundations can provide you with the tools and support you need to overcome lean addiction.
To learn more about our opioid rehab and addiction, contact us today.
References:
- Medline Plus: Codeine, Retrieved October 2023 From https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682065.html
- Medline Plus: Promethazine, Retrieved October 2023 From https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682065.html
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Promethazine HCl and Codeine Phosphate Oral Solution, Retrieved October 2023 From https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/008306s033lbl.pdf