What is “lean”? Also known as “purple drank” or “sizzurp,” it is an illegal street drug that has become increasingly popular among teens and young adults. This potent mixture contains codeine—a narcotic pain reliever—and promethazine, an antihistamine used to treat allergies. It can be highly addictive and dangerous, leading to serious health complications or death.
Get the support you need to be safe. If you find yourself unable to stop, effective addiction treatment is available. My 5 Palms is here to help.
What is lean?
Party drugs like lean are illegal street drugs. They can be highly addictive and dangerous, with effects ranging from euphoria to drowsiness and confusion. Long-term use can also lead to severe health complications.
Made from cough syrup that contains both codeine and promethazine, and then mixed with soda, lean is often citrus-flavored or sweetened further with candy like Jolly Ranchers. The result is a colorful, sugary drink that masks the potency of the drugs inside.
Lean is also called “purple lean,” “drank,” “syrup,” or “purple drank” due to its distinctive color, “sizzurp” is a term that emerged, inspired by hip-hop culture. The drug gained national attention with references in music, and in 2013, rapper Lil’ Wayne was hospitalized after a suspected lean overdose, underscoring the drug’s dangers.
How to recognize when someone is taking lean to get high
Because lean can be consumed like a soda, it likely won’t appear dangerous. However, the effects on the body and on someone’s behavior are recognizable. Someone under the influence of lean will likely have slurred speech, slow movements, or even fall asleep mid-conversation.
Additional signs include:
- Drowsiness or excessive sleepiness
- Slurred or slowed speech
- Drooping eyelids or blank facial expression
- Unsteady walk or frequent stumbling
- Lack of coordination
- Nodding off during activities or conversations
- Glassy eyes or unusual eye movements
- Unusual drinks in cups or bottles that may be soda mixed with syrup
At a party, people may carry Styrofoam cups, which can indicate lean consumption. To be safe, always pay attention to what’s being poured into your cup at any social gathering.
Signs of lean addiction and dependence
While lean may seem harmless due to its candy-like presentation and pop culture references, it’s a powerful central nervous system depressant. In large doses or with frequent use, lean can cause respiratory depression, sedation, and long-term health complications.
Taking too much of the drug can lead to physical dependence. Individuals may also experience withdrawal symptoms if they try to quit taking it suddenly. These withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headaches, muscle aches, and insomnia.
Signs of a lean addiction may include:
- Continuing use despite negative consequences, such as legal problems or health issues
- Engaging in risky behaviors while under the influence
- Experiencing extreme lean cravings
- Isolating oneself from friends or family members
- Neglecting responsibilities at home or work
- Spending excessive amounts of money on supplies
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be struggling with addiction to “lean” or other drugs like alcohol or opioids, it’s vital to seek professional help. Addiction treatment centers such as My 5 Palms offer comprehensive programs tailored to your needs.
Treatment for lean addiction in Florida
Addiction to lean is serious, but recovery is possible. At My 5 Palms, we offer evidence-based treatment programs for substance use disorders, including lean and other opioids. Our services include:
- Individual and group therapy
- Trauma-informed care
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Residential mental health treatment
Our team works with each client to build a customized plan for long-term healing and recovery. Trying to quit lean on your own can be dangerous. Intense withdrawal symptoms can be risky. Find professional support with medical supervision to detox safely. My 5 Palms can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lean is a recreational drug made by mixing prescription cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine with soda and sometimes candy. Known by names like “purple drank” or “sizzurp,” lean is a central nervous system depressant that can produce feelings of euphoria, drowsiness, and disorientation. It can be addictive and dangerous, especially with repeated use.
Yes, lean is highly addictive. Codeine is an opioid, which can cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms when use stops. Many people who use lean regularly develop a tolerance and require more of the drug to achieve the same effects, which increases the risk of overdose or other long-term health concerns.
People using lean may show signs like:
- Drowsiness or appearing “out of it”
- Slurred speech and slowed movements
- Glassy or droopy eyes
- Carrying unusual drinks (often in opaque cups or bottles)
- Falling asleep unexpectedly
At My 5 Palms, treatment for lean addiction may involve medically supervised detox, followed by rehab, depending upon an individual’s needs, this may mean residential care, a partial hospitalization program (PHP), or intensive outpatient program (IOP). Clients receive individual therapy, group counseling, and evidence-based treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to address the physical, emotional, and behavioral aspects of addiction.
Lean typically contains:
- Codeine: An opioid that can slow breathing and lead to dependence
- Promethazine: A sedating antihistamine that can intensify the depressant effects when mixed with soda or alcohol, these substances can cause life-threatening complications, including respiratory depression and cardiac arrest.
Yes, overdose is a serious risk. Taking too much lean can severely slow your breathing or heartbeat. And when mixed with alcohol or benzodiazepine, the danger increases. Signs of overdose include unconsciousness, blue lips or fingertips, shallow breathing, and unresponsiveness. Call for emergency help immediately if you notice any of these signs.
It’s not recommended. Withdrawal from lean can cause nausea, anxiety, insomnia, and muscle pain. Without medical support, symptoms can become overwhelming, and relapse is probable. At My 5 Palms, we provide medically supervised detox and compassionate care to guide our clients through a safe recovery.
Find Substance Abuse Treatment in Florida at My 5 Palms
Sometimes, people can be unaware that a substance is addictive until it’s too late. Don’t let this happen to you or someone you love. Lean use is a serious concern that should not be taken lightly. Professional help is available for those struggling with addiction. Call 1.844.675.1022 today and start on your road to recovery.