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Lean is a substance of misuse that’s also sometimes called sizzurp or purple drank. Lean is commonly referred to as purple, but the actual color of the drink can vary depending on what’s put in it. It’s a combination of codeine cough syrup, soda, and sometimes hard candy. Sometimes, alcohol and promethazine are added as well.
Lean and Purple Drank Addiction and Abuse
Codeine lean is most commonly used and abused by young people. A person can develop an addiction to lean in a fairly short time due to how the opioid codeine affects the brain’s reward system.
Although many age groups use lean, young people at parties use it most. There are a few reasons for this. First, lean has been popularized through rap music and entertainment. Also, the mixture of soda and hard candy is appealing to young people with its sweet taste.
Side Effects and Risks of Purple Drank
Lean is considered an addictive opioid. The reason for its name is due to the effect it has on users. The more lean a person consumes, the more they start to slouch or lean to one side. It produces similar effects to those of other opioids, including loss of coordination, dizziness, sleepiness, euphoria, and extreme relaxation.
The effects of purple drank usually start within 30 to 45 minutes of consumption. However, the exact timing of symptoms depends on how much codeine is in the lean. The peak timing for the effects to occur is between one and two hours. These effects last between four and six hours. There are several serious side effects to consuming lean, including the following:
- Slowed heart rate
- Respiratory depression
- Seizures
- Dental decay
- Hallucinations
- Impaired vision
What Does Purple Drank Do?
The effects of purple drank or lean are in line with what other opioids do to users. This means its effects are not unlike commonly abused pain pills such as oxycodone and hydrocodone. One of the most dangerous effects of opioids, including lean, is the drastic slowing of the user’s pulse and breathing.
Respiratory depression is when breathing slows significantly or stops altogether. This is one of the most common causes of death by overdose.
An increased risk of seizures comes from drinking lean. This is due to slowed breathing, which deprives the brain of oxygen.
Impaired cognition is another significant effect of lean. Both codeine and promethazine contribute to suppressing the central nervous system, which can slow brain activity. This can take the severe form of hallucinations, which means seeing, hearing, or feeling something that isn’t there.
Lean can also cause blurry vision and lack of balance. Either one can lead to accidental falls or other injuries.
Lean Use and Opioid Dependence
Lean contains codeine, an opioid, which has a well-documented potential to cause physical dependence and addiction. Repeated use of lean can lead to opioid use disorder, marked by cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and an inability to stop using despite harmful consequences.
For some individuals, misuse of lean may serve as a gateway to stronger opioids, such as prescription pain medications or even illicit drugs like heroin or fentanyl. This progression can occur due to increased tolerance, which drives users to seek more potent opioids to achieve the same effects.
Where Can I Find Information About Lean Addiction Treatment?
If you’re concerned about a loved one using lean, there are many places to reach out for help. To find out more about lean and its effects, you can visit Rehab.com, talk to your doctor, or call SAMHSA’s national helpline. You can also get in touch with local support groups to discuss the effects of lean and find places to get help.
What Are the Treatment Options for Addiction to Lean or Codeine?
Whether you’re concerned about a loved one or struggling with a lean addiction yourself, there are treatment options available. Lean addiction tends to affect young people more than older adults, so you may be looking at facilities that cater to the young adult age group.
Fortunately, there are plenty of licensed treatment centers with inpatient, outpatient, and detox programs for young adults addicted to lean. Since lean is an opioid, a period of supervised detox may be necessary before taking part in an inpatient or outpatient program.
An inpatient or outpatient program typically involves therapy sessions to help patients learn the underlying reason for addiction and discover proper coping mechanisms. Treatment for teens and young adults also often involves family members to build a strong support structure for them when they leave treatment.
