The Dangers of Drinking Lean

Teens and young adults often engage in substance abuse as a form of experimentation. Unfortunately, this puts them at risk of developing addictions, experiencing health risks associated with drug abuse, and suffering from an overdose.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2.2 million people aged 12 to 17 and 9.2 million people aged 18 to 25 suffered from a substance use disorder in 2023.[1]

Young people often abuse drugs that most older adults aren’t even familiar with. One of the new substance abuse trends in America is something referred to as lean, dirty sprite, or purple drank.

To explain, lean is a mixture of a prescription cough syrup that contains codeine and promethazine and soda or hard candies. Codeine is an opioid that depresses the central nervous system and can lead to respiratory depression. In other words, drinking lean can be incredibly dangerous.

The risks of drinking dirty Sprite include adverse effects like memory loss, impaired vision, seizures, hallucinations, and more. It is also possible to experience a life-threatening opioid overdose when consuming purple drank.

In this article, you will learn:

• What is dirty Sprite or lean?
• What are the short-term effects of purple drank?
• What are the risks of consuming lean?

What is Lean?

Lean is a drink that people make that contains a prescription cough syrup. This cough syrup contains codeine (an opioid) and promethazine (an antihistamine). The cough syrup is mixed with soda and hard candy to make it taste better.

Also known as dirty sprite or purple drank, it is often referred to as lean because it makes people “lean over” from drowsiness. Even though codeine is not considered a potent opioid, abusing it in large amounts can be dangerous. Additionally, it is very easy to develop an addiction to codeine when you are consuming it in this manner.

Lean became popular in the 90s because of its inclusion in rap songs and pop culture. That said, lean is not a packaged product, meaning people make it at home. This increases the risk of overdose, as unqualified individuals are dosing out the cough syrup into mixed drinks.

What are the Effects of Lean?

The mind-altering ingredient in lean is codeine, which is considered an opioid. Because opioids are central nervous system depressants, lean can make you feel drowsy, dizzy, relaxed, and euphoric. The effects of lean typically begin within 30 to 45 minutes of consuming it.

Some individuals add higher doses of codeine cough syrup to their drinks to experience more potent effects. While the high might be more intense, doing this puts you at risk of overdosing on opioids.

The side effects of lean may include:[2]

• Euphoria and relaxation
• Dizziness and drowsiness
• Slowed heart rate and breathing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Impaired coordination and vision
• Slurred speech and unsteady gait
• Decline in motor skills and cognition

If you abuse this recreational drug frequently, you could develop an addiction to lean. Long-term addiction can increase your chances of experiencing physical and mental health risks. You could also suffer from a life-threatening overdose.

What are the Dangers of Drinking Lean?

There are many dangers associated with lean, including dangerous short-term effects and a high risk of overdose. While some people believe it is safe to abuse codeine cough syrup because it comes from a pharmacy, this is far from the truth.

The main risks of abusing lean include:

• Memory loss and other cognitive issues
• Dental decay
• Weight gain
• Frequent urinary tract infections
• Blurry and impaired vision
• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Addiction and withdrawal

Taking high doses of liquid codeine can result in seizures.[3] If you or a loved one displays the signs of a seizure after drinking lean, contact 911 immediately.

You can also experience an opioid overdose when abusing lean. The signs and symptoms include:[4]

• Confusion and intense drowsiness
• Loss of consciousness and unresponsiveness
• Low blood pressure and weak pulse
• Slowed or stopped breathing
• Choking or gurgling noises
• Blue tint to lips and fingernails
• Cold and clammy skin
• Coma

If you believe someone is experiencing an overdose after drinking lean, contact emergency medical services immediately. If you have access to Narcan (naloxone), administer it while waiting for 911 to arrive. Even if Narcan reverses the overdose, the individual still requires emergency medical attention.

Find Help for Lean Abuse and Addiction

If you or a loved one regularly abuses lean, you might be struggling with addiction. Opioid use disorder can be difficult to overcome, especially on your own. Thankfully, drug and alcohol rehab centers can provide you with the tools and support you need to achieve long-term sobriety.

At New Jersey Addiction Interventions, we can connect you with an opioid addiction treatment center that suits your needs. We can also provide an intervention for loved ones who are refusing to receive help for their addiction.

Contact us today for more information on how we can help you recover from lean addiction.

References:

1. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Highlights for the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
2. Medline: Codeine
3. Sage Journals: Probable Codeine Phosphate–Induced Seizures
4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Risks and How to Reduce Them