Every few years a new drug hits the scene that becomes wildly popular. These drugs become party favorites and even cross over into popular culture, but then society learns about the harmful effects. Lean is one of the most harmful drugs that has become popular in recent years. It’s been a long-time staple in Houston, and several artists from Atlanta and other areas have made it culturally hot. Lil Wayne is often spotted with a styrofoam cup in his hand. Future’s most popular able references “dirty Sprite” in the title. Justin Bieber has made Lean references in his music. But what is lean, exactly? Read on to learn more about purple drank and the harmful effects that it brings about.
What is Lean?
Lean, commonly called purple drank, dirty Sprite, drank, sizzurp or syrup refers to the concoction of codeine and promethazine, mixed with soda and sometimes Jolly Ranchers, and other hard candy. It’s a Schedule II drug whose ingredients are legal with a prescription, but illegal when used as a street drug. The ingredients are classified as opioids, making lean a contributor to the current opioid crisis. It’s part of the opioid crisis, which includes other substances like heroin and prescription pills.
What Are the Dangers of Lean?
Aside from being classified as a drug, what makes Lean so dangerous? Purple drank happens to have several symptoms and that makes it hazardous to anyone who takes it. There have been a number of noteworthy celebrity Lean overdoses, including Pimp C, Mac Miller, and DJ Screw. Rapper Rick Ross had a seizure on a plane due partially to Lean abuse, and Lil Wayne once nearly lost his life due to symptoms of regular intake. Whether you OD or not, here are a few of the dangers of Lean:
1. It Can Alter Your Brain Activity and Function
People that abuse Lean are likely to hallucinate and suffer memory loss. These issues compound over time, to the point that you can create long-term damage to your brain. Taking it cuts off oxygen to your brain to the point of disorienting you and altering your body’s sleep cycles. Prolonged use can cause your brain to develop lesions and you may suffer from chronic psychosis issues.
2. It Affects Your Breathing, Particularly in People With Sleep Apnea
Because you’re taking heavy amounts of cough syrup when you take Lean, respiratory depression is one of the main side effects. You will have difficulty breathing and may even pass out as a result. Depressed breathing makes Lean particularly harmful for people who have sleep apnea. Rapper Pimp C died this way since he was drinking Lean and stopped breathing in his sleep. When you get less oxygen, your body’s organs get less oxygen also. This slows or hampers their function and can make you feel numb and tingly.
3. Lean Badly Damages Your Liver
Filling your body with chemical-based toxins pollutes your organs and badly damages your liver. It can cause your liver to fail which can also cause death. Lean also includes acetaminophen, which is an active ingredient in several harsh prescription drugs. You will begin to notice symptoms like discolored urine and yellow skin when experiencing liver damage. Your body will find it increasingly difficult to filter and process chemicals, which creates fatigue and illness over the long-term.
4. Drank Causes Seizures
People that regularly abuse codeine and promethazine will also experience seizures. These epileptic problems can become chronic to the point that it interrupts your everyday life. It can cause you to pass out in the middle of everyday situations, which may create life-altering injuries. These chronic seizures can lead to several overnight trips to the hospital, which will become incredibly expensive. Your insurance company might drop you or raise your rates if it becomes apparent that your hospital trips are the result of drug abuse.
5. The Substance is Badly Addictive
As if the issues listed aren’t bad enough, Lean is one of the most addictive substances on earth to break free from. It’s in the opioid category, which makes purple drank every bit as addictive as heroin and Vicodin. People that abuse Lean will need detox and psychiatric counseling at a minimum to break the hold that the substance has on them. This addiction can cause you to make poor life decisions that can also wreck your personal and professional life. The fact that it’s so addictive can make it difficult to break free of the hold, and can eventually lead to an early grave.
6. Lean Creates Digestive Problems
Opioids also create digestive issues. Most notably, purple drank abuse will make you chronically constipated. Rapper Gucci Mane had a noticeable gut when he abused the drug. He said in his memoir that it wasn’t until he kicked the habit that he lost the weight, and he didn’t realize that it was because he had been constipated for years. Such digestive issues are far from comfortable and can create intense gut pain in your everyday life. What’s more, Lean can also create urinary tract infections (UTI).
7. Your Teeth Will Suffer
Constantly subjecting your dentistry to chemicals and sugar will begin to erode your enamel over time. People that abuse Lean end up have discolored teeth and other dental issues. You may notice your teeth begin to rot and become infected.
Get Help With Your Lean Addiction
So what is Lean? The tips above explain in detail. The key takeaway in this information is that if you use Lean, you’ll need professional help to break free. This is a substance that will ruin or end your life otherwise. We take pride in helping people suffering from drug addictions of every kind. If you need help, contact us on our site or call us at 1-(800)222-2222.
