The Dangers of Lean
The rise of social media has brought with it many incredible benefits, including access to near-unlimited information and incredible connections to anywhere in the world. Unfortunately, it has also brought with it many dangers, particularly in the promotion of dangerous substances like lean. Of course, this representation does not mention the dangers of lean, including addiction, overdose, and even overdose death.
What Is Lean?
Lean is a dangerous concoction of codeine cough syrup and mixers like alcohol and/or soda. It has also been dangerously popularized in youth and music culture. Lean is typically made by mixing codeine-based cough syrup with soda and hard candy, such as Jolly Ranchers, to improve the taste. Other variations may include dextromethorphan (DXM) or promethazine, which only increase the risk of dangerous side effects. In some cases, alcohol is added to the mix, further amplifying the risks of respiratory depression and overdose.
According to the American Journal on Addictions, “’Lean’, also commonly referred to as ‘Sizzurp’ or ‘Purple Drank’, is a soft drink concoction that often contains codeine cough syrup in order to get the user high. The use of Lean appears to be particularly prevalent in the hip-hop music scene, and popular rap artists have discussed their struggles with addiction to the concoction, including Mac Miller who recently died from a fentanyl-related overdose.” This last aspect is emblematic of the dangers of lean, which are rarely discussed.
The Dangers of Lean: Physical
There are many dangers of lean. These dangers can be physical, mental, and emotional. The most visible dangers of lean are physical. Meanwhile, the following are just a few examples of the physical dangers of lean:
- Constipation and gastrointestinal problems
- Issues with sleep patterns, including sleeping too much and sleeping too little
- Restless leg syndrome
- Joint pain and body aches
- Cold sweats and clammy hands
- Headache
- Skin irritations
- Lethargy
- Trouble breathing and tightness in the chest
- Issues with urination, including painful urination and loss of bladder control
- Slowed heart rate and respiratory depression, which can lead to seizures and even death
- Long-term use can also result in chronic constipation, liver damage, and a weakened immune system
The Dangers of Lean: Emotional
Many emotional side effects can come with the use of lean and lean addiction. The following are some (but certainly not all) of the emotional side effects of lean use:
- Feelings of anxiety and depression
- Sudden and potentially explosive mood swings
- Wanting to isolate away from loved ones
- The need to use alcohol and other substances as coping mechanisms for negative feelings
- Anhedonia
- Avolition
- Poor self-esteem and self-image
- The need to self-harm
- Having suicidal ideations
- Other co-occurring issues of mental illness
The Dangers of Lean: Mental
Many people confuse emotional and mental side effects because they both appear to manifest in the brain. However, emotional side effects are more about deeper internal “feelings,” whereas mental side effects have more to do with “cognitions” and interruptions of thought patterns. The following are just a few of the mental side effects of lean use and lean addiction:
- Struggling to put thoughts together
- Having trouble communicating ideas
- Impaired memory
- Going unconscious for extended periods (“blacking out”)
- Creating false memories
- Having a false sense of security in potentially dangerous situations
- Poor decision-making (especially for younger people where the brain isn’t fully developed)
- Not being able to concentrate
As one can see, these are not effects that should be minimized. If any, many, or all of these symptoms are present, it is highly recommended that professional help be sought as soon as possible. The good news is there are many effective ways to help people recover from a lean addiction.
The Influence of Pop Culture on Lean Use
Lean’s popularity has been significantly fueled by its glorification in music and social media, particularly within the rap and hip-hop communities. Many young people are drawn to lean due to its association with famous artists, who often reference it in their lyrics and music videos, creating a dangerous allure. Unfortunately, this glamorization has led to the normalization of lean use among youth, masking its severe risks. Notable artists like Trippie Redd and Lil Durk have spoken out against lean, urging their fans to avoid it due to its detrimental effects.
How to Recognize Lean Addiction in Loved Ones
Recognizing the signs of lean addiction early can be crucial for intervention. Behavioral indicators include despondency, frequent mood swings, and sudden changes in social circles. Physical signs may involve slurred speech, dilated pupils, and frequent drowsiness. Additionally, terms like “purple drank,” “sizzurp,” or “dirty Sprite” might be used in conversations, signaling a possible lean addiction. Missing medications, especially cough syrup containing codeine or promethazine, and the presence of hard candies and soda may also be red flags. Early detection can lead to timely professional help, which is essential for recovery.
How Is Lean Addiction Best Treated?
One aspect of lean addiction is that, in most instances, it requires a safe and secure detox. This is yet another reason why lean is dangerous. This is especially true if alcohol is part of the mix, as alcohol withdrawals can be particularly dangerous, even fatal. After a professional detox, lean addiction is usually treated in two ways: an individual engages with some type of therapy, and they work with other people also in recovery.
Perhaps the most common form of therapy that people will engage with to overcome lean addiction is psychotherapy, known as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps get to the underlying issues of addiction, which usually involves the negative way in which one views oneself in relation to the world around them. This type of therapy brings these negative feelings to the surface so they can be addressed and worked through. Following this, the associated addictive behaviors can be mitigated and even eliminated.
Working with other people in recovery is also crucial. Doing this brings purpose and accountability into one’s life. It also helps people connect and stay connected to a recovery community (by creating a “sober network”), which can be vital when triggering situations pop up after treatment.
Healing From Addiction With The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we understand the dangers of lean and how a lean addiction can ruin individual and family lives. However, we also know that there is a solution.
The key to that solution is taking the first step and reaching out for help. Then, the next step is letting us help heal the wounds of addiction and offer a new life once thought unattainable.
Many people have heard of lean (also commonly referred to as “purple drank”), but they are unaware of how addictive and dangerous it can be. Lean can lead to serious physical health problems as well as mental and emotional disruptions (including acquiring co-occurring disorders). The use of lean can also cause overdose and even overdose death. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery. For more information about the dangers of lean and how to recover from lean addiction, please reach out to The Phoenix Recovery Center today at (801) 438-3185.
