Unfortunately, codeine is just as addictive as other opioids and leads to the same physical dependence and addiction. Lean users sometimes view codeine-promethazine cough syrup as “better” than using opiates like heroin, as codeine is in liquid form and can be legally obtained through prescription. Codeine is an opioid painkiller that is used in a variety of medications, but which also has a high potential for misuse and addiction. In particular, prescription-strength cough medicine containing codeine may be misused in the form of a narcotic drink known as Lean (or as purple drank). Because there are many negative side effects of using lean that affect both mental and physical health, it’s important that young adult lean users seek treatment as soon as possible. Yes, withdrawal from Lean can occur due to the presence of codeine and promethazine.
WHY ARE CODEINE AND PROMETHAZINE HARMFUL?
Addiction experts at The Recovery Village offer evidence-based treatment programs that can lead you to a healthier, codeine-free life. The codeine component of purple drank is primarily responsible for the effects of this mixture. Promethazine and codeine https://sober-home.org/ are central nervous system depressants, meaning that a person can stop breathing when the drugs are taken together in high doses. These risks are even more significant if another depressant like alcohol is used in conjunction with the purple drank.
What is Purple Drank?
Although people of all ages drink lean, abuse is most common among teens and young adults due to the way drinking lean has been glamorized by recording artists and entertainers. Respiratory depression, or slowed breathing, is one of the most dangerous effects of purple drank. As a central nervous system depressant, codeine can cause slowed breathing. However, purple drank’s other ingredients like promethazine can also cause slowed breathing.
Common Names for Lean
Binary logistic regression model examining the impact of anxiety, depression, and trauma exposure on using lean to cope with emotions, thoughts, or feelings in the past 30 days. People who are addicted to lean or codeine cough syrup can get help from a West Palm Beach drug rehab center. Lean is made by mixing prescription cough syrup, hard candy, and soda (usually lemon-lime soda). Promethazine can be sold on its own, but it may also be formulated in combination with opioids and these combinations are controlled Substances. For example, promethazine HCL and codeine phosphate oral solution is a Schedule V controlled substance.[11] It requires a valid prescription. When soda is mixed with codeine cough syrup to create lean, it often results in a liquid with a purple or pink hue — hence, the name purple drank.
It’s good to practice vigilance with what you drink in general, as parties are one place where people may be targeted for predatory drugging regardless of whether lean is present. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. If you suspect your child may be using drugs like lean, a potential indication may be the language they use while online or when talking with friends. If you believe your child is using lean, some language you may want to look out for may include some of the following.
“Doctor explains sizzurp’s powerful hig[…] deadly side effects.” Los Angeles Times, March 18, 2013. Users can die of codeine overdose or from organ failure due to chronic overuse. You can bring it up to your healthcare provider if you feel comfortable.
These drugs can lead to physical dependence and addiction with regular use. Lean’s primary ingredients include prescription cough syrup containing promethazine hydrochloride and codeine, a soft drink (usually Sprite or Mountain Dew), and ice. Sometimes, users add hard candies, like Jolly Ranchers, to enhance the flavor or other variants, like alcohol. The cough syrup’s ingredients are most notable regarding its potential for abuse. Purple drank, also known as sizzurp, is a recreational drug concoction that consists of prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine mixed with soda, often flavored with purple syrup.
Lean is a concoction made by mixing prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine, promethazine, and other ingredients with soda, typically a clear soda like Sprite or Mountain Dew. It is important to note that Lean is not a legally prescribed medication and should not be confused with legitimate medical use of cough syrup. Many teens falsely believe that prescription drugs, including promethazine with codeine, are safe. But excessive amounts of codeine and promethazine can slow heart rate and breathing. Mixing the substances together or with alcohol can increase the risk for numerous health problems, including death. Although lean is consumed internationally,3,16,20 and has visibility in popular culture,4,9-12 it remains vastly understudied.
Keep in mind that patient confidentiality laws will prevent them from reporting this information to law enforcement. On their own, codeine and alcohol can also cause liver damage when you ingest more than the recommended dosage. Plus, your chances of overdosing are a lot higher when you combine alcohol with codeine or DXM. All products containing it are only available with a prescription due to the risk of misuse. The distribution or manufacturing of it without a license is illegal. But to get the desired effects, a lot more than the recommended or safe dose is used.
Sociodemographic, mental health and lean use characteristics of the sample. Ineligible respondents were notified of their ineligibility and thanked for their time. Eligible respondents were notified of their eligibility and asked if they would like to participate in the study. Eligible respondents who declined were thanked for their time and exited from the webpage, while eligible respondents who elected to participate started the survey.
In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality. Many prominent music artists have discussed abusing lean in their songs and in interviews over the past few decades. Some legal products based on lean have appeared, like the Houston-based beverage “Drank,” made with valerian root, rose hips, and melatonin for relaxation. Lean is named for the effect it has on those who drink it – they tend to lean to one side or slouch the more lean that they consume.
- When lean is consumed regularly or in large doses, the brain becomes accustomed to the presence of opioids.
- By 2006, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had focused on cough syrup abuse throughout the South.
- An admissions representative can assist you in identifying signs of drug use, understanding the dangers of lean and locating a nearby rehab facility.
- In addition to codeine and promethazine, lean can also include various other ingredients such as carbonated beverages (commonly soda), hard candies and even alcohol.
As with all street drugs, these names will likely change over time and certainly have regional variants. Armed with the ways in which teens are referring to this drink, we recommend talking to your child about it. Help them understand how dangerous it is by talking about how addictive it can be and that it can be fatal.
For many lean users, their first exposure to the mixture has been through rap and hip-hop music. Lean is often mentioned in the lyrics as a “cool” substance to abuse or a way to relax. Some people also add other addictive substances to intensify the sedative effects delivered, however, the inclusion of other substances makes lean even more dangerous. The side effects of lean can range from mild to extreme, and varies depending on several factors including amount consumed, tolerance, and other mixed substances. The severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms can vary significantly among individuals, influenced by factors such as the length of time Lean was used, the quantities consumed, and the user’s overall health.
However, the evidence for this happening in humans is still unproven. In other words, artificial sweeteners may not directly help manage weight over the long term. This resulted in the WHO advising artificial sweeteners should not be used to manage weight. The link was found even after accounting for other dietary and lifestyle factors (such as physical activity).
While lean addiction typically affects younger individuals, it’s important to remember that anyone can become addicted. For those who have become dependent on lean or other substances, a medically supervised detox may be necessary to help manage withdrawal symptoms. This can be done at a hospital or treatment facility where trained medical staff can monitor you 24/7 for any serious withdrawal symptoms. While some the ingredients used to make lean are legal when prescribed by a doctor, it’s important to note that lean is not safe to drink under any circumstances.
Using lean is dangerous for young adults who struggle with addiction and other mental health issues. An addiction to lean can put stress on a person’s mental health, physical health, and interpersonal relationships. But treatment for substance and alcohol use disorder is available and recovery is possible. While https://sober-home.org/16-ways-to-stop-drinking-alcohol/ the terms lean and sizzurp are sometimes used interchangeably, it’s important to understand the distinction between the two. Lean refers to the mixture of codeine cough syrup, soda, and candy, as mentioned earlier. On the other hand, sizzurp is a term often used as a colloquial name for the same concoction.
This tolerance necessitates increasingly higher doses of the drug to achieve the initially desired effects of euphoria and relaxation. Over time, this escalates into a physical and psychological dependence on the promethazine-codeine mixture, where the user finds it challenging to function normally without it. Lean is a very sweet drink that blends soda with cough syrup containing codeine. Users may also mix in promethazine, which is an antihistamine that may strengthen the effects of codeine and make a person feel relaxed and sleepy. Promethazine is a prescription cold medication used to treat various conditions, including nausea and vomiting. They are combined in promethazine-codeine cough syrup, a prescription medication used to alleviate symptoms of allergies or the common cold.
Lean is a mixture of prescription-strength cough syrup, typically containing codeine and promethazine, along with other ingredients. Codeine is an opiate analgesic commonly used for its pain-relieving properties, while promethazine is an antihistamine with sedative effects. When consumed together, these substances produce a sedating and euphoric effect. Due to its prominence in pop culture, lean is most abused by teens and young adults. This can pose a serious concern to parents who may suspect their child is using drugs or alcohol.
One of the more severe side effects of drinking lean is the potential for hallucinations. These sensations can make someone believe they’re hearing, seeing, feeling, or smelling something that isn’t there. While experiencing a hallucination, a person is more likely to engage in risky behaviors, which can lead to physical harm or even assault. The treatment for lean addiction is similar to the methods used in prescription opioid addiction. Depending on the patient’s unique needs, they will either enter inpatient rehab, an intensive outpatient program (IOP), or a partial hospitalization program (PHP).
It can slow the function of the brain, slow breathing, stop the heart and lungs from working, and can be deadly. There are a variety of effective therapeutic methods that may be used to help someone with a lean addiction. Cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and even art therapy can help people change their behavioral patterns. Therapy may be conducted at a therapists office, online, or at a drug treatment facility. Many people prefer online therapy, as it allows for discrete and flexible appointments from the comfort of your own home. There are many options available for those struggling with an addiction to lean.
