CHAT WITH US
GET HELP NOW
Person asking someone else, "What is lean drink?"

What is Lean Drink?

What is lean drink but the house party drug of choice? It mixes promethazine and codeine-containing cough syrup with a carbonated soda. Most importantly, it’s an addictive substance with a high overdose risk and potential addiction. Call 844.875.5609 to speak with someone from the knowledgeable team at Promises Behavioral Health about what lean is and our opioid rehab centers that can help you or a loved one struggling with opioid-related problems—like mixing and drinking too much lean. 

What Is Lean? 

Lean drink is a popular recreational drug, sometimes called “sizzurp” or “purple drank.” Lean has become the go-to party drug for many people due to its availability, accessibility, and low cost. The typical lean recipe consists of promethazine, codeine-containing cough syrup mixed with carbonated soda such as Sprite or Mountain Dew, and a flavoring agent like Jolly Rancher candy.  

The main ingredient in this drug cocktail is promethazine, an opioid that acts on the brain to produce a euphoric feeling. This is combined with codeine, also an opioid, which amplifies the effects of promethazine and leads to feelings of extreme relaxation and sedation. Though lean can be made from over-the-counter cough syrup containing dextromethorphan, this recipe is much more dangerous. Lean containing codeine and promethazine can be habit-forming and carries an overdose risk. Long-term use of these substances can lead to physical dependence, addiction, and even death. 

What Is Lean Drink Intoxication Like? 

You must ingest large quantities of cough syrup to get the high you want. That’s because codeine is a weak opiate. Therefore, people who abuse the substance tend to take numerous drinks of the concoction. They don’t think, “What is in this lean drink? Is it a drug” Often, people just accept it as a house party drink and consume it.  

Initially, you feel relaxed. Next, you feel the dopamine rush that gives you feelings of improved well-being. From there, you become drowsy and might nod off here and there. You may have a difficult time keeping up with conversations. Some people at codeine addiction treatment centers report just falling asleep. 

“Purple drank” is little more than an invitation to overdose on an opiate. Club cooks have to use large quantities of the codeine mixture to put together the concoction. Therefore, you can overdose on the first drink. But you don’t know precisely how much you ingested. Since it takes the high a little while to come on, you keep drinking more. Besides that, lean drink participation is usually a social event. Others are doing it, too, which encourages you to keep going. 

Once you feel high, you may have taken in several times the recommended dose—this has the same ramifications as other opiate overdoses. Your breathing slows to dangerous levels. Therefore, your body no longer receives sufficient oxygen to keep organ systems going. Eventually, your breath may stop altogether. Because it’s not unusual for people abusing lean drink to nod off, nobody thinks much about it. You may slip into a coma and eventually die. 

What to Expect from Opioid Rehab 

What is “purple drank” rehab like? Initially, you deal with detoxification. To be clear, lean drink is an opiate that creates painful withdrawal symptoms. Medication-assisted treatment allows you to withdraw safely and pain-free. Best of all, it’s a quick process that you might finish in as little as a week. Next, you move on to clinical care. There, therapists help you overcome the psychological addiction. Modalities include: 

  • Dual diagnosis treatment for clients with co-occurring psychiatric and mood disorders 
  • Trauma treatment via eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and similar approaches to deal with past situations that trigger drug abuse 
  • Group therapy for addiction education and psychodrama participation 
  • Family therapy that enables you to mend relationships and rebuild trust 
  • Behavioral counseling as a tool for developing functional coping skills 

Codeine is an addictive substance. Similarly, people like the relaxation that the overdose provides. It’s not unusual to develop a physical and psychological addiction to the drug. However, rehab helps. 

Find Opioid Rehab with Promises Behavioral Health 

What is lean drink addiction like when you want to quit? Contact Promises today at 844.875.5609 to find out. 

Scroll to Top