Author: James Anderson

Lean: What it is, effects, and risks

The most serious potential effect of mixing even a small amount of alcohol with cough syrup is respiratory depression. Other ingredients commonly used to make Lean, such as Promethazine or alcohol, are both widely available without a prescription and, in the case of alcohol, even socially acceptable. This can make spotting a Lean addiction very difficult, as these drugs are not only commonly found in most households but also legal for most adults to purchase. While all the ingredients used to make Lean are legal when prescribed by a doctor, it’s important to note that Lean is not safe to drink under any circumstances.

This means you can quickly develop a tolerance and dependence to it. In a nutshell, you’ll need more of it to get the desired effects and feel lousy when you don’t drink it. High amounts of acetaminophen and other drugs can prevent your liver from properly metabolizing chemicals, leading to excessive amounts in your liver. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescription and OTC drugs are the leading cause of acute liver failure. Remember, lean involves using way more than the recommended dose of cough syrup. All products containing it are only available with a prescription due to the risk of misuse.

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. Lean typically consists of a mixture of codeine cough syrup, carbonated soda, and hard candy. It originated from the hip-hop culture and gained popularity in certain communities. However, it is essential to note that recreational use of lean can be dangerous and potentially addictive.

The sweet flavor of other additives, such as soda and candy, can entice users to try the drink, furthering the risk of addiction. Just about every active ingredient used in every variation of lean can increase the amount of dopamine in your brain’s reward system and lead to addiction. The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies codeine as a Schedule II controlled substance when it’s a single ingredient. It remains a lesser, but still potent, controlled substance when mixed with other ingredients.

This is a type of drug with a high potential for dependence and addiction. There are many cases of people who’ve died from lean, either due to overdose or complications caused by long-term use. Some high-profile cases of this include the deaths of rappers DJ Screw, Big Moe, Pimp C, and Fredo Santana. Acetaminophen, a common ingredient in cough and cold medications, has been linked to liver damage when you take more than the recommended dose or drink alcohol while taking it.

Is it addictive?

The distribution or manufacturing of it without a license is illegal. 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. Many treatment facilities across the country specialize in treating teens and young adults with substance use disorders and may even specialize in treating Opioid-related addictions such as Codeine. If you suspect your child may be using drugs like Lean, a potential indication may be the language they use while online or when talking with friends. If you believe your child is using Lean, some language you may want to look out for may include some of the following.

While Lean addiction typically affects younger individuals, it’s important to remember that anyone can become addicted. For adults dealing with Lean addiction, medical detoxification is typically recommended as a first step. This can be done at an inpatient facility where trained medical staff can monitor you 24/7 for any serious withdrawal symptoms. There are many options available for those struggling with an addiction to Lean.

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Users of lean are at risk of addiction, and serious complications include respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest. Promethazine can be sold on its own, but it may also be formulated in combination with opioids and these combinations are controlled Substances. For example, promethazine HCL and codeine phosphate oral solution is a Schedule V controlled substance.[11]  It requires a valid prescription. Since codeine is the most significantly addictive element of lean, this approach makes sense. One of the most significant side effects of long-term use of lean is addiction. Addiction also leads to an increased risk of overdose because a person may need to use progressively more purple drank to get the same effects that they once got with a lower dose.

1. Understanding the ingredients and effects of Lean, as well as recognizing signs of addiction, is crucial in promoting awareness and seeking help for those who may be affected.
2. It is strongly advised to seek professional help if you or someone you know is struggling with Lean addiction.
3. As with all street drugs, these names will likely change over time and certainly have regional variants.
4. Some users may also intentionally misuse promethazine because of its sedative effects.

Plus, your chances of overdosing are a lot higher when you combine alcohol with codeine or DXM. Many of the components needed to make Lean can be found in most household medicine cabinets. Antihistamines like Promethazine, sold under the brand name Phenergan, can be bought over the counter and are commonly used to treat allergies, nausea, or insomnia.

The misuse and abuse of Lean can lead to serious health risks and legal consequences. Understanding the ingredients and effects of Lean, as well as recognizing signs of addiction, is crucial in promoting awareness and seeking help for those who may be affected. The most commonly used ingredients are prescription cough syrup that contains the opioid codeine and the antihistamine promethazine. If your teen is using Lean, it’s important to not wait to seek help. Abusing dangerous drugs like Opioids as a young adult can result in long-term negative health effects.

Understanding Lean

To learn about treatment options for yourself or a loved one, call a treatment provider for free today. An individual can develop a Lean addiction in a relatively short period due to how Opioids short-circuit the brain’s reward response system. In addition to overdose risk, use of lean also increases your risk of accidental injury and other serious side effects. Opioids like codeine are the primary contributing factor to America’s addiction and overdose epidemic.

While “true” lean is a mixture of soda, candy, and codeine-containing cough syrup, this is not the only cough syrup street drug that is commonly misused. Dextromethorphan (DXM) is another drug of concern.[10] This is a common ingredient found in many cough syrups available all over the country. Decreased heart rate and respiratory depression can both be dangerous on their own and are the primary cause of death by overdose. This is because Opioids like Codeine can slow a person’s heart or breathing to a point where they eventually stop breathing, which, if left untreated, can cause death. The presence of alcohol or other drugs in Lean can increase the likelihood of respiratory depression, increasing the chances of overdose or death.

Users attending parties where drugs may be present should always be cognizant not to drink anything not prepared personally. It’s good to practice vigilance with what you drink in general, as parties are one place where people may be targeted for predatory drugging regardless of whether lean is present. Promethazine, a popular additive to lean, intensifies the effects of codeine. As lean slows down activity in the brain and nervous system, taking it with other drugs that have sedating effects can be especially harmful. This association was particularly significant for fans of rap and hip-hop.