People constantly come up with new and creative ways to take drugs. One drug that has gained a lot of popularity in the hip-hop community is Lean. It begs the questions, “What is Lean?” and “Why is it so dangerous?” Answering these questions can teach people why it’s important to get professional help for a Lean addiction.
What Is Lean?
So, what is Lean, exactly? Lean is the name of a special drink that contains prescription-strength cough syrup and soda or fruit punch. Young people add the prescription-strength cough syrup because it contains liquid codeine, which is a strong opiate. The drug relieves throat pain for people with persistent coughing.
Under normal circumstances, prescription cough syrup is safe to take. To discourage people from drinking too much, it generally doesn’t taste good. However, young people mask the taste with soda or fruit punch. The result is a dangerous cocktail that varies in strength depending on who makes it.
While most Lean drinks contain liquid codeine, some people mix other drugs like cocaine or even PCP. Some people even use large amounts of over-the-counter cough syrup to achieve the same effect.
Why Is Lean So Dangerous?
Lean is dangerous for a number of reasons. First of all, liquid codeine is highly addictive. It’s especially dangerous for teens and young adults. Once they start drinking lean, they can’t seem to quit.
Drinking large amounts of codeine is also dangerous. Side effects can include slow heartbeat, confusion, seizures, and death.
This drug is also easy for kids to overdose on because there’s no quality control. People never know how much codeine is actually in a glass of Lean. They often overdose on their first glass because they can’t handle a large amount of codeine.
Growing in Popularity
Unfortunately, Lean continues to grow in popularity. Many experts blame hip-hop and rap artists who reference the dangerous drug. Lil Wayne, Pimp C and DJ Screw have all felt its negative impact. Pimp C and DJ Screw eventually died as a result, while Lil Wayne ended up in the hospital.
Lean has a number of names, including Triple C, Purple Drank, Sizzurp, and Robo. Some songs that talk about drinking Lean include:
- “Sippin on Some Sizzurp” by Three 6 Mafia
- “Purple Swag” by A$AP Rocky
- “Dirty Sprite” by Future
- “Purple Stuff” by Big Moe
- “Molly With That Lean” by Soulja Boy
These are just a few examples of the many popular songs that young adults listen to. Each of them openly talks about drinking Lean despite it being illegal. Many experts fear that it teaches young adults that it’s fine to drink this dangerous mix.
Start Your Rehab the Right Way
At Crest View Recovery Center in Asheville, we pride ourselves in providing effective addiction treatment services for all clients. We offer:
- Rehab treatment program that mimics an inpatient environment without the cold residential treatment feel
- Evidence-based behavioral addiction therapy
- Individual counseling and group therapy
- Compassionate family therapy program
Don’t live another day with the despair that your addiction puts you through. Get the help that you need today, and head down the path to recovery. Contact Crest View Recovery Center today at 866-327-2505 for more information.
