Many lean users report using the mixture to relax and, over time, start to develop a dependence on the drug to relax and feel good. Lean’s use had stayed confined to Houston until American rapper DJ Screw released songs in the 90s mentioning the drink, exposing the wider music scene how long does a crack high last to the mixture. Has been contributing to medical fields including mental health and addiction since she retired from medicine; with over 19 years of practicing clinical experience. If you or someone you care about is suffering from a lean addiction then help is available.
- Long-term, the drug can also lead to tooth decay, weight gain, urinary tract infections and constipation.
- Lean can also have harmful interactions with other drugs, including some OTC medications.
- Other variations of purple drank involve a combination of codeine tablets added to cough syrup and soda.
- Some people also add hard candies, especially Jolly Ranchers, to the mix.
- Online therapy can also be a great starting point for children or young adults to start their treatment journey.
How did it become so popular?
Also known as “syrup,” “purple drank,” and “sizzurp,” lean first became popular in Houston, where people would mix codeine-promethazine cough syrup with soda to make a cocktail for the high it produced. Codeine is a prescription opioid, which is used as a pain reliever, and promethazine is an antihistamine. Both drugs have sedative effects and can produce feelings of drowsiness, mild euphoria and a sensation of being out of one’s body.
Promethazine-Codeine Withdrawal Symptoms
As lean contains other substances, it can complicate the withdrawal process further. As lean is mixed by the end user, the quantities of Codeine (an opioid) that go into it, as well as other substances, can vary greatly which increases the risk of accidental overdose and dependence. For teens and young adults that need more intensive care, inpatient rehabs provide the highest level of care and typically have the highest success rates.
Promethazine side effects
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.
Opioid addiction rehabs near you
She has worked with adolescents, adults, and couples on issues including substance abuse, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and personality disorders. Whether it’s called lean, purple drank, sizzurp, or any other name, this how long does ayahuasca last a comprehensive guide for journeyers concoction is a drug that can be lethal in high doses or when mixed with other sedative drugs or alcohol. Opioid-dependent people are likely to experience a range of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms should they go without the substance for too long.
High-profile athletes have also made headlines for suspensions and hospitalizations related to using this drink. Some legal products based on lean have appeared, like the Houston-based beverage “Drank,” made with valerian root, rose hips, and melatonin for relaxation. Like most other opiates, codeine-laden lean has a relaxing and euphoric salvia drug overview effect on users. Research suggests that certain demographics may be more susceptible to developing a Lean addiction. While it can affect individuals from all walks of life, some groups are at higher risk than others. Lean, also known as Purple Drank or Sizzurp, is a recreational substance that has gained popularity in certain communities.
In high doses, lean, or purple drank, can have potentially fatal consequences. Drinking too much can flood the brain with opioid molecules too quickly and lead to an overdose. In the event of an opioid overdose, a person may become unconscious, stop breathing, and make gurgling noises. 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.
Plus, your chances of overdosing are a lot higher when you combine alcohol with codeine or DXM.
If a person has been consuming purple drank in high doses or for extended periods, withdrawal symptoms may intensify and become more unpleasant, including vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. 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. Both substances can affect a person’s breathing and have the potential to cause dangerous respiratory depression, especially if used with other drugs. Rai Cornell is a freelance health, psychology, and science writer who has worked as a substance abuse and mental health counselor in both a drug rehab center and community counseling clinic.