What Does Lean Do To You? | Harmony Recovery Center

Skip to content What Does Lean Do to You?

• Home
• Drug Addiction
• Opioid and Opiate Addiction
• What Does Lean Do to You?

What is Lean?

Lean is a drug concoction made of prescription cough medicine, hard candy, and a soft drink, usually Sprite.

It’s also called “purple lean,” “purple drank,” “dirty sprite,” and “sizzurp.” The prescription cough medications in lean contain codeine-based cough syrup, an opiate used as a cough suppressant, which can easily lead to drug addiction.

How Lean Works on The Body

Codeine is also a prescription opioid used for pain relief and sedative effects. The antihistamine Promethazine is another ingredient usually present.

Promethazine can contribute to sedation and impairment of motor skills. The effects of codeine and promethazine are made more dangerous by certain prescription medications.

Someone taking anti-anxiety medications or other central nervous system depressants, even as prescribed, is at greater risk.

People who drink lean on a frequent basis report developing tooth decay. Unwanted weight gain, constipation, and urinary tract infections are also common complaints. People who use lean regularly and in large amounts run the risk of a deadly overdose. This danger is much greater when the drug is used in combination with other depressants, such as alcohol. The amount and exact composition of active ingredients can vary in different formulations of cough syrup. This makes it even more difficult to accurately control the amount of various drugs a person is ingesting. This danger is compounded by the inherently compromised judgement in a “party” atmosphere. Consider the fact that the person preparing the mixture is often under the influence themselves.

Codeine: The Dangers of Drug Abuse

When codeine is consumed in excessive amounts can lead to extremely harmful effects. Because the drug is consumed in a drink, it’s easy to lose track of how much you’ve taken. This risk is amplified by the cough syrup’s flavor masked by soda and candy. This is where much of the danger lies. The syrup used has at least two active ingredients by itself.

It is often combined with other drugs, increasing the risk of unexpected adverse side effects. Because the mixture is more accessible to consume than hard alcohol might be alone, it’s easy to fall into substance use. Lean is often combined with other intoxicants. Combining opiates and central nervous system depressants with alcohol and other substances exponentially increases the risk of danger.

Codeine is an opiate and is also one of the psychoactive ingredients in lean that is behind both its desirable dangerous effects. Opiates and opioids are in a class of drugs associated with an extremely high rate of abuse, dependence, and addiction. The remarkably addictive nature of opioid drugs is due, in part, to the pleasurable and rewarding effects that they produce, including euphoria and relief from anxiety and stress.

Because codeine is legal when prescribed by a doctor and used legitimately by many people to manage cough or pain, it’s somewhat difficult to track rates of abuse and addiction. Long-term opioid abuse can lead to the development of drug tolerance and dependence. As tolerance grows, people often find themselves needing to use more and more of the drug to feel the coveted effects.

This increase in drug-taking behavior can be a catalyst for the development of physiological dependence. Opioid-dependent people will experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if they try to discontinue drug use. In the early stages of withdrawal, the person may experience the following:

• Sleep disturbances
• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Depression

• Muscle aches and pains
• Teary eyes
• Runny nose
• Excessive sweating

If a person has used lean for an extended period or in very high doses, they may encounter more intense withdrawal effects, including nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. To avoid or postpone withdrawal symptoms, people dependent upon it will frequently relapse, or return to consuming the drink or other opioid drugs. This behavior only serves to perpetuate an endless cycle of abuse that can ravage their mental and physical health.

Lean in the Media

The drug combination known as lean or purple drank has been promoted as a desirable high by several high-profile celebrities, most notably musicians such as Lil Wayne and Justin Bieber.

Although it;s “cool” media presence may encourage some young people to use, the reality is, even those who have been credited with making the mixture famous have suffered from health complications. For example, Lil Wayne reportedly began experiencing seizures several years ago after a long history of abuse.

There have also been a few celebrity deaths associated with lean. In November 2000, DJ Screw, who popularized the consumption of the drink, died of an overdose related to codeine, promethazine, and alcohol. Then in October 2007, Big Moe, a protégé of DJ Screw who frequently rapped about use of the drug died at age 33, after suffering a heart attack. It was believed that lean might have played a key role in his death.

Physical Side Effects of Lean

The physical side effects will gradually become more severe the more you drink. First-time users may also encounter unpleasant side effects, including:

• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Decreased heart rate
• Changes in blood pressure

Over time, repeated, long-term use can also result in extensive health problems, including impaired memory. Chronic use has been shown to cause organ problems, including:

• Pancreatitis
• Liver damage
• Birth defects (when consumed by pregnant women)
• Infertility
• Hormonal problems

The excessive sugar in the mixture can also be dangerous to anyone who is diabetic or pre-diabetic.

People who drink lean frequently also report developing:

• Tooth decay
• Unwanted weight gain
• Constipation
• Urinary tract infections
• In some cases, life-threatening overdose

Most frequently, lean is abused by adolescents, and drinking lean can cause serious health issues.

How Lean Effects Mental Health

This danger is much greater when the drug is combined with other depressants, such as alcohol. Behavioral health issues can become very serious when drinking lean. The amount and exact composition of active ingredients can vary in different formulations of cough syrup.

This makes it even more difficult to accurately control the number of various drugs a person is ingesting. This danger is compounded by the inherently compromised judgment in a “party” atmosphere. Consider the fact that the person preparing the mixture is often under the influence.

Developing a Lean Addiction

Codeine is an opiate and one of the psychoactive ingredients in lean that is behind its desirable dangerous effects. Opiates and opioids are in a class of drugs associated with an extremely high abuse, dependence, and addiction rate.

The remarkably addictive nature of opioid drugs is due, in part, to the pleasurable and rewarding effects that they produce, including euphoria and relief from anxiety and stress. Because codeine is legal when prescribed by a doctor and used legitimately by many people to manage cough or pain, it’s somewhat challenging to track abuse and addiction rates.

Treatment for Codeine Addiction

Because the withdrawal symptoms that result from codeine addiction can be highly unpleasant, many patients opt for medical detox and then immediately transfer to a rehab center for addiction treatment.

Harmony Recovery Center offers comprehensive programs in partial-hospitalization and outpatient formats. These programs include evidence-based approaches to substance abuse treatment, such as psychotherapy, individual and family counseling, and peer support.

During treatment, compassionate, highly-skilled addiction professionals care for patients and provide them with the resources and support they need to navigate sober life after treatment has been completed.

We are dedicated to helping our clients reclaim their lives, free from addiction to drugs and alcohol. Please call us as soon as possible to find out how.

Sources:

National Library of Medicine – Use of “Lean” among Electronic Dance Music Party Attendees

U.S. Department of Justice – Resurgence in Abuse of ‘Purple Drank’

← Previous PostNext Post → Search for:

Recent Posts

• 4 Ways to Manage Holiday Stress in Charlotte, NC
• New Year, New Coping Skills: Preparing for a Resilient 2026 in Recovery
• Mindful Holidays: Staying Present and Peaceful Without Substances
• Charlotte’s Hidden Danger: The Rise of Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine and Stimulants
• Fall Self-Care Checklist for Mental Wellness and Recovery

Messaging within this Campaign will occur exclusively through either of the following methods:

In Response to Inbound SMS: If you directly initiate communication by sending an SMS after encountering Harmony Recovery Center contact information, your initial text will be interpreted as consent to receive relevant messages pertaining to your query.

In Response to Voice Conversation Opt-in: In situations where you engage in a voice conversation with a Harmony Recovery Center representative, during which there is a request for permission to send follow-up texts regarding discussed products or services, and you provide explicit consent, a standard disclaimer regarding possible message and data charges will be communicated prior to any text message initiation.

Your understanding of the above consents and disclaimers is greatly appreciated. For any queries or concerns related to this communication method, please reach out to us through official channels provided by Harmony Recovery Center.

×

How do we use your information?

We may use the information we collect from you when you register, make a purchase, sign up for our newsletter, respond to a survey or marketing communication, surf the website, or use certain other site features in the following ways: To personalize your experience and to allow us to deliver the type of content and product offerings in which you are most interested. To follow up with them after correspondence (live chat, email or phone inquiries)

How do we protect your information?

Our website is scanned on a regular basis for security holes and known vulnerabilities in order to make your visit to our site as safe as possible. We use regular Malware Scanning. We do use an SSL certificate. We only provide articles and information. We never ask for personal or private information like names, email addresses, or credit card numbers.

×