Lean is a combination of codeine cough syrup, candy, alcohol, and an antihistamine. People also call this mixture “purple drank.” Codeine is an addictive opioid drug. People who use Lean may quickly become addicted to the codeine it contains.

Adolescents and young adults are the most likely to use purple drank. They may drink lean at parties. Lean is sweet because it contains candy and soda, which appeals to younger people. Teens may also hear musicians mentioning lean in popular songs.

Abusing lean can have serious consequences, including physical dependence and addiction. Codeine can be dangerous in high doses. People with Lean addiction require treatment programs that can help them safely stop using opioids and learn how to avoid relapse.

If you or a young person in your life misuse codeine or other controlled substances, you are not alone. Contact the Alamo Behavioral Health team now to learn about your treatment options. You may also schedule an intake assessment or ask general questions.

What is Lean?

People make Lean by combining several legal ingredients. The ingredients in Lean include:

• Prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine
• Soda
• Hard candy
• Promethazine (an antihistamine)

Sometimes, people add alcohol to Lean. Lean is popular among teens and young adults. The ingredients in Lean are legal and fairly easy to get.

The Effects and Risks of Lean

Lean contains codeine. Codeine is an opioid drug. Codeine can treat mild to moderate pain and helps with cough suppression. It may be added to cough syrup to help people with severe coughs, colds, and respiratory infections feel more comfortable. People may also experience euphoria when taking codeine. This increases the risk of misuse and addiction.

Medical experts typically agree that codeine is safe when people use it as directed. However, taking a large dose of codeine or using it frequently can be dangerous.

Some of the side effects of codeine include:

• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Impaired thinking
• Poor coordination
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Shortness of breath

Some people may experience more severe side effects, including:

• Sense of unease
• Abdominal pain
• Itching
• Physical dependence
• Addiction

There have been cases where people have suffered acute liver failure after using high doses of codeine and acetaminophen. Combinations of codeine and other drugs may increase the risk of serious or life-threatening complications. Adding alcohol to Lean can be dangerous. Alcohol and codeine both slow down activity in the central nervous system (CNS). This can lead to shallow or stopped breathing, especially in higher doses.

Drinking Lean is a form of codeine abuse. Repeated codeine abuse can lead to physical dependence and addiction.

Signs and Symptoms of Codeine Addiction

Codeine is an opioid. When people misuse opioids, they often exhibit physical, behavioral, and emotional changes.

If you are worried that someone you love is using Lean or other opioids, it can be helpful to know the signs of opioid addiction.

Some signs of codeine addiction include:

• Spending a lot of time and energy getting, using, and recovering from using codeine
• Giving up hobbies, relationships, and responsibilities due to substance use
• Developing tolerance, meaning they need to use more of a drug to get the desired effects
• Having withdrawal symptoms if they stop using codeine or other opioids for more than 24 hours
• Experiencing cravings for opioids
• Continuing to use codeine or other opioids after having trouble because of them

People with opioid addiction can’t simply stop using them. Opioid addiction is a complex problem that requires treatment and ongoing support.

How Long Does Codeine Stay in Your System?

Drug testing can detect codeine and other opiates in your body for different periods. Here is an overview of how long codeine can be detected by various screening methods.

Urine tests

Urine screenings can detect Lean in urine for up to 7 days after your last use.

Saliva tests

Saliva tests may be able to detect codeine for up to 3 days after your last use.

Blood tests

Blood testing may detect codeine for up to 6 days after your last use.

Hair tests

Hair testing may detect codeine for up to 90 days after your last use.

Several factors can affect how long it takes for your body to process codeine. These factors include:

• Age
• Body composition
• How much you’ve eaten
• Liver health
• Metabolic rate
• Gender
• The amount of codeine you used
• How often you used codeine

Drinking Lean or misusing codeine in other ways can be very dangerous. People who develop codeine addiction require medical care, treatment, and ongoing support to stop using it and avoid relapse.

Learn More About Lean

Are you worried a teen or young adult in your life is using Lean? Contact the team at Alamo Behavioral Health now to learn more about the dangers of Lean or to explore our treatment programs.