Over the last few years, rappers and other pop stars have praised “lean” and led to a high degree of abuse of this substance among their listeners. But what is lean drug, and why is it dangerous? And just who is most affected by its abuse? Answering these questions is critical because it can help those with an addiction to this substance get the help that they need to recover.
Do you need to learn more about our outpatient drug rehab program to deal with a lean drug addiction? Call us today at 866.796.4720.
What is Lean Drug?
Lean — also known as “sizzurp” or “purple drank” — is a combination of a variety of different items. Though the exact mixture may vary, most lean consists of cough medicine mixed in with soda or candy. For example, a user may empty most of a 20-ounce bottle of Pepsi, mix in some cough syrup, add more Pepsi, and then mix it up to produce a drug that is easy to hide and use without people noticing. Users sometimes add Jolly Ranchers or other hard candies for additional sweetness and flavor.
It has been used recreationally for many decades, but its popularity has increased in recent years due to references in various media outlets, including rap music. Purple drank has been popularised by hip-hop culture, with many musical artists and athletes promoting it. Some of the most notable celebrities to have done this are rappers Big Moe and DJ Screw, as well as basketball players Tracy McGrady and Jason Williams. Others who have promoted purple drank over the years include Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, and Pitbull. There have also been several references to the substance in some popular TV shows.
Purple drank is known by several other names such as “lean,” “sizzurp,” and “dirty Sprite.” Despite its widespread availability and use, the drug can be dangerous if used irresponsibly and is illegal in many countries. As such, it’s important to understand the risks involved with abusing this substance before deciding to use it.
How Does Lean Drug Affect People?
The effects of lean vary depending on the dosage size and the people using it. For example, the depressant effects of most cough syrups produce side effects like dizziness, hallucinations, and extreme calm. Some may develop dangerous symptoms such as impaired vision, memory loss, seizures, and even coma. And people have died abusing this substance, mainly when using prescription-strength cough syrups.
These medications often contain a mild opioid known as codeine that enhances the effect of lean and makes it more dangerous. So, what is lean drug? It is a hazardous substance that may serve as a gateway drug for many people. Teens often abuse it because they can take it to school or with them when hanging out with friends without people realizing that they have it.
Opioid addiction treatment centers can help those suffering from lean addiction. Treatment plans are individualized to provide the safest and most effective treatment for polysubstance abuse.
Who Abuses Lean the Most Often?
Lean is a drug that has few boundaries. It affects people from many different walks of life because of its ease of creation. However, certain groups of people are more drawn to this substance than others. These include:
- Teenagers who can’t get other drugs
- Electronic dance music fans at concerts
- Low-income individuals who cannot afford other substances
- Those with an opiate addiction who cannot find other sources
Unfortunately, these individuals never asked themselves, “what is lean?” before they started using it and may have developed an addiction. This dependency can be a serious one and very dangerous if left untreated. Thankfully, high-quality drug rehab for prescription drug abuse should help manage this concern.
How Does Rehab Help With This Addiction?
Those trying to answer the questions “what is lean?” and “how can I beat lean addiction?” should contact a professional rehab center to get help. These experts fully understand the medical and emotional troubles caused by lean addiction. They can then provide a myriad of different care options, including how these professionals:
- Assess why a person abuses lean and how serious their addiction has become
- Trace any emotional issues that may contribute to the abuse of lean
- Gauge any physical health problems that may worsen a person’s addiction
- Treat both emotional and physical issues with a calm and assured hand
- Provide dual-diagnosis to break the grip of co-occurring disorders
- Educate users on the dangers of substance abuse
- Diagnose any potential drug addiction a person may possess
This type of treatment is critical for those with an addiction. With its help, it is possible to regain a life free from lean and other kinds of drugs. For many people, drug rehab can serve as a significant first step not only away from drug abuse but towards a life free from emotional troubles. That alone makes substance abuse recovery an excellent action for those experiencing it at dangerous levels.
Who Can Help With This Problem?
If you need help answering the question, “what is lean drug?” and want professional advice, please contact us at 866.796.4720 today to learn more. Our professionals at BoardPrep Recovery Center® operate in a 21-bed PHP center that provides many high-quality services for people addicted to lean. Our inpatient program includes detox and dual diagnosis. The latter service is one of our main specialties and helps to ensure that you get the best chance of recovery. So please verify your insurance to get started with us.
