In recent years, lean has exploded in popularity, especially among older adolescents and young adults seeking a new thrill. Naturally, the widespread use of this new drug has often led to many parents and guardians wondering, “What is the drug lean?”
Essentially, lean (also referred to as purple drank) is a potent mixture of soda and cough syrup which contains the powerful codeine opioid and the commanding antihistamine, promethazine. This combination creates a feeling of relaxation and euphoria that keeps people coming back for more. Unfortunately, lean also produces dangerous side effects and an irresistible dependence that makes it difficult to stop taking it and could require an inpatient drug detox and residential treatment for prescription medication.
Some people may transfer the lean mixture from its original cough syrup bottle into different containers, such as soda bottles or sports drink bottles, to make it less conspicuous. This way, it may appear like a regular drink rather than an addictive drug.
What Are the Symptoms of Lean Use?
One of the biggest misconceptions about lean often lies in its side effects. While relaxation and euphoria are two core symptoms, they tend not to last very long. Once these feelings wear off, most people begin to feel:
- Dizzy.
- Slow breathing.
- Impaired vision.
- Hallucinations.
Consistent intake of lean can also lead to symptoms such as:
- Tooth decay.
- Brain damage and memory loss.
- Urinary tract infections.
Lean use can have severe health consequences. The codeine in lean can cause respiratory depression, particularly when taken in high doses or combined with other depressant substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines. Long-term use can lead to liver damage, kidney problems, cardiovascular issues, and cognitive impairments. The promethazine in lean can also have adverse side effects, including respiratory distress and allergic reactions.
Is Lean Addictive?
In addition to being asked, “What is the drug lean?” another common question that we often receive is how lean creates dependency.
Lean carries a significant risk of addiction. Codeine, the opioid component of lean, is highly addictive and can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Regular use can quickly develop into addiction, and abruptly stopping or reducing intake can result in withdrawal symptoms.
The main reason why most people who take lean find it difficult to stop drinking the substance is because of its levels of codeine. The average lean mixture may easily contain up to 25 times the standard prescription, making it a very potent substance. And this prescription drug dependence treatment will likely include an addiction treatment center.
Additionally, because codeine is an opioid, you may only need to take a few doses before you develop a dependency on the substance. At this stage, your tolerance also shoots up, which means that you consistently need to drink more to feel the same level of pleasure as the previous occasion.
Christian Addiction Treatment in Orange County
Once your tolerance for lean reaches a high level, any attempts to stop taking it will be met by vicious withdrawal symptoms. Going through this process alone can be extremely challenging, with most people drinking it again only to feel better.
However, it does not have to be this way. At Covenant Hills Addiction treatment center, we have years of experience treating lean and codeine dependency. If you would like to learn more about how we can successfully treat this substance use disorder, please call us today.
