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Opioid abuse is a serious problem in the United States. According to the Federal Communications Commission, there were “approximately 81,806 opioid overdose deaths in 2022.”[1]
When you think of opioid addiction, you probably imagine pills like oxycodone or drugs like heroin. While these are commonly abused opioids, there is another type of opioid abuse affecting the nation. A cough syrup that contains an opioid known as codeine and promethazine (an antihistamine) is often combined with soda and candy to create a drink called “lean.”
Made popular in rap songs and music culture, lean is also known as “purple drank” or “dirty sprite.” Because it contains an opioid, it can cause mind-altering effects like euphoria, feelings of pleasure, dizziness, drowsiness, and more. You can also experience dangerous effects when drinking lean, such as slowed breathing, respiratory depression, and overdose.
If you or a loved one abuse dirty Sprite, you should seek help from a professional addiction treatment program like the Mandala Healing Center. We can offer the tools and support you need to achieve long-term recovery.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is lean
- What are the effects of codeine cough syrup
- What are the dangers of drinking lean
What is Lean or “Purple Drank”?
Lean is a drink that people make with a prescription cough syrup that contains an opioid (codeine) and an antihistamine (promethazine). The cough syrup is mixed with soda like Sprite and sometimes hard candies are added to increase the sweetness of the drink. The substance got its name because the effects of codeine can cause you to lean or slump over from drowsiness.
While codeine is considered a weaker opioid than substances like oxycodone or heroin, it is a controlled substance that can lead to abuse and addiction. As a highly addictive substance, drinking codeine in the form of lean increases the risk of experiencing adverse effects, health issues, and life-threatening overdoses. Overdoses often occur because it can be difficult to determine what dose of the substance you are consuming when you are drinking it.
Lean became popular in the 90s because of its inclusion in rap songs. Because lean is not a packaged product, people are making it at home. Due to this, lean can contain a wide variety of substances, making it dangerous to abuse.
The Effects of Lean
Codeine is a central nervous system depressant that causes effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and feelings of pleasure. Because lean contains codeine, you can expect to experience opioid effects when abusing it. The effects will begin 30 to 45 minutes after consuming the drink and last up to 6 hours.
Some people add more cough syrup to their drinks to experience the effects faster and have a more potent high. This increases their chances of developing an addiction and experiencing an overdose. Addiction to lean can be incredibly difficult to overcome without professional help.
The effects of drinking lean include:[2]
- Feelings of euphoria
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Slowed heart rate and breathing
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of coordination
- Impaired vision
- Slurred speech
- Decline in motor skills and cognitive abilities
If taken in large doses, codeine can lead to seizures.[3] You can also experience respiratory depression if you abuse lean that contains high doses of codeine. Misusing lean is incredibly dangerous, especially because it is a homemade substance and you can’t regulate the dose.
What are the Risks of Drinking Lean?
Codeine cough syrup is a prescription medication, so some people believe drinking it is safe. Unfortunately, when you abuse codeine cough syrup, the substance is no longer safe to consume. Taking more than you are prescribed can lead to a wide variety of health concerns.
Some of the long-term dangers of purple drank include:
- Memory loss and cognitive decline
- Dental decay
- Weight gain
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Impaired vision
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Addiction and withdrawal symptoms
Another risk associated with abusing lean is overdose. Because it contains codeine, drinking large amounts of lean could lead to an opioid overdose.
The signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose after drinking lean include:[4]
- Drowsiness, fatigue, and weakness
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness and unresponsiveness
- Flushing of the skin or itchiness
- Lightheadedness and dizziness
- Low blood pressure and weak pulse
- Cold and clammy skin
- Choking or gurgling noises
- Pinpointed pupils
- Slow and labored breathing or stopped breathing
- Blue tint to fingernails or lips
- Coma
If you believe someone is overdosing on lean, contact 911 immediately. Because the psychoactive substance in lean is an opioid, Narcan can be administered to reverse the overdose. That said, even if Narcan is successful, an overdose still requires medical attention as there could be lasting effects or the overdose could start over again later on as the body processes the codeine.
Find Help for Lean Abuse and Addiction
If you or a loved one suffers from lean addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. At the Mandala Healing Center, we can provide you with services like medical detox, evidence-based therapies, and relapse prevention planning to help you recover. All of our clients receive an individualized treatment plan to ensure they receive the type of services they need to be successful in sobriety.
Why Choose The Mandala Healing Center? Clients are taken on a journey of healing through complete immersion into evidence-based clinical modalities, multifaceted alternative therapies, and expert medical management, allowing them to fully detox and recover from drug and alcohol addictions. Through a program of care designed to encourage change, a foundation is created that allows clients to find their higher purpose and reclaim their lives.
Contact the Mandala Healing Center today to learn more about our codeine cough syrup addiction treatment program.
References:
- The Federal Communications Commission: Focus on Broadband and Opioids
- Medline: Codeine
- Sage Journals: Probable Codeine Phosphate-Induced Seizures
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Preventing, Recognizing, and Treating an Opioid Overdose
