Is Lean Illegal? Know the Real Risks Now

Lean, also referred to as purple drank, sizzurp, or even just syrup, seems to be popping up everywhere lately. This unusual recreational drug concoction containing cough syrup, soda, and hard candy has infiltrated popular culture and gained traction among teens and young adults. But is lean actually illegal? And if so, why do people keep using such a dangerous substance anyway?
This article will uncover everything you need to know about lean/purple drank: what effects it has, just how addictive and harmful it can be, the legalities surrounding it, how to recognize signs of lean addiction in a loved one, and ultimately, where one can get professional treatment for this life-threatening substance abuse issue. After reading, you’ll understand exactly why this drug cocktail has no place in anyone’s life.
What Exactly is Lean?
Lean is the umbrella term for a recreational drug-infused drink made by mixing prescription cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine with soft drinks like Sprite or Mountain Dew plus hard candy such as Jolly Ranchers. Both codeine and promethazine are central nervous system (CNS) depressants thatslow critical body functions like heartbeat and breathing when abused.
Other common names for lean include:
- Purple drank
- Sizzurp
- Syrup
- Texas tea
- Dirty sprite
The “purple” in purple drank comes from the vibrant hue of the cough syrup mixtures. And the simplifying term “drank” refers to the fact that it’s consumed as a (dangerous) beverage.
On the streets, lean is highly glamorized by rap and hip hop artists who promote a “turn up” culture surrounding drug use. They make it seem fun, harmless, and the cool thing to do, often without revealing the dark side until it’s too late. This makes lean especially enticing to vulnerable audiences like teenagers and young adults seeking acceptance.
Why is Lean So Dangerous and Illegal?

Now that we know the basics of what lean is, let’s discuss the specifics of why drinking it is so extremely dangerous and 100% illegal.
First, lean contains codeine – an opioid drug with high potential for abuse and dependence. Under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act (CSA), both codeine and promethazine are classified as Schedule II and Schedule V controlled substances respectively.
This means all non-medical production, possession, and recreational use of codeine or lean is completely illegal.
Additionally, when individuals develop substance use disorders from long-term non-medical lean use, severe physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms can occur if they stop drinking it. These can include pain, nausea, depression, anxiety, and more.
Beyond just the addiction risks, consuming lean impacts the central nervous system to slow critical body functions like breathing, heart rate, and temperature regulation. When abused, it can cause:
- Decreased oxygen levels
- Dangerously slowed breathing
- Seizures
- Spiking or plummeting body temperature
- Stupor, confusion, lack of coordination
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Death
This depressant effect becomes even stronger if other substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines are mixed with lean too. Even just a small amount of lean can lead to an overdose when combined with other CNS depressants.
What are Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Lean?
In the short-term after drinking lean, users report feeling euphoric, relaxed, happy, and detached from stressful thoughts. But those desired effects quickly spiral.
Short-term side effects of lean include:
- Extreme drowsiness
- Lack of coordination
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation
- Vision changes
- Headaches
- Loss of inhibition
- Seizures
While the immediate effects seem to dissipate after 3-5 hours, prolonged lean use has many damaging long-term impacts:
Long-term side effects of lean include:
- Tooth decay
- Liver damage
- Kidney failure
- Psychosis
- Hallucinations
- Violent behaviors
- Suicidal ideation
- Risky sexual behaviors
- Financial ruin
- Loss of relationships and jobs
- Legal problems
Clearly both the short and long term repercussions make lean extremely dangerous and life-altering if abused.
What Does Lean Withdrawal Look Like?
Those who develop substance use disorders from ongoing lean abuse can experience severe withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking it suddenly. This is due to changes in brain chemistry after long-term exposure to codeine and other drugs found in the purple drank mixtures.
Common withdrawal symptoms from lean include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Muscle aches
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping
- Tremors
- Chills
- Drug cravings
Because withdrawal can be so difficult – both physically and mentally – dangerous relapse often occurs when trying to quit lean. Medically-assisted detox provides professional support, slowly weans off the drug, manages acute symptoms, and decreases chances of relapse.
Why Do People Use Lean Anyway?

By now, the laundry list of damaging short and long term effects shows why lean is clearly extremely dangerous.
So why do people drink it?
There are a few reasons lean appeals to certain demographics despite all the risks:
1. Peer Pressure and Pop Culture
Music, social media, movies, and other pop culture mediums make lean seem trendy and normalized. People want to drink it to seem cool and fit in.
2. Low Cost and Easy Access
Unfortunately, lean is relatively inexpensive to produce from common household items. Codeine cough syrups can often be easily stolen from pharmacies or purchased from dealers. No complicated manufacturing is required.
3. Immediate Euphoric High
When used recreationally outside medical purposes, lean provides an immediate pleasurable high, relaxation, and escape from reality due to its sedative properties affecting the central nervous system. This can seem appealing in the short-term.
But any benefits come nowhere near outweighing the laundry list of damaging short and long term health effects. Plus addiction builds incredibly fast.
Recognizing Signs of Lean Addiction
The glamorization of lean in music, movies, and social circles can sweep its dangers under the rug. Many lean users wrongly believe there’s nothing wrong with recreational use or that they won’t get addicted.
Unfortunately, codeine and other ingredients found in lean can spark addiction after just a few uses in some individuals. And addiction often sets in long before the user or those around them recognize they are dependent and no longer have control.
Here are some signs that may indicate a loved one is addicted or abusing lean:
- Finding empty over-the-counter cough syrup bottles and sodas/candy mixtures
- Acting intoxicated, sedated, overly relaxed or dizzy
- Slurred speech
- Lack of coordination, clumsiness
- Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Brain fog, difficulty concentrating
- Mood changes like depression or aggression
- Financial hardship, money disappearing
- Secretive behaviors, lying about activities
- Decline in academic or job performance
- Trends of isolation and withdrawal from normal social groups
- Risky behaviors like drunk driving or violence
The more signs from that list are occurring, the more likely it is that a serious substance abuse issue exists. Getting a professional assessment is recommended if you suspect lean addiction.
Professional Treatment Options for Lean Addiction
While lean may seem harmless at first, its highly addictive nature and damaging health impacts make getting professional help an urgent matter if abuse is occurring.
Seeking treatment takes courage, but it provides the best chance for overcoming addiction before irreparable harm occurs. Here are components to look for in a quality addiction treatment program:
1. Medically-Supervised Detox
Stopping lean use suddenly without professional help often backfires due to difficult withdrawal symptoms. Detox centers slowly taper down usage over days or weeks to avoid complications. Medications can ease side effects too.
2. Individual and Group Behavioral Therapy
Counseling helps identify deep-seated reasons for addiction and build strategies for long-term recovery. Cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, and more teach coping skills. Support groups provide community.
3. Aftercare Planning and Support
Relapse prevention training and planning for post-rehab sober living teaches maintaining sobriety after leaving treatment. Sober community resources provide accountability.
The combination of medical detox, psychological treatment, and aftercare gives recovering lean addicts the best results long-term. Treatment works when given a real chance!
Lean Addiction Can Be Overcome
If you believe your teen or other loved one is addicted to lean, reach out immediately to addiction professionals and avoid any shame or judgment. Substance abuse disorders are medical illnesses requiring treatment, not personal failures.
Professional help offers real solutions for gaining back control of one’s life. The dangers of ongoing lean and purple drank abuse are shockingly hazardous. So wasting time while problems accelerate helps no one.
Through customized treatment plans addressing root causes of addiction alongside medication to ease withdrawal symptoms when coming off lean, recovery is absolutely within reach.
Medical experts can create tailored detox and counseling plans while providing a supportive environment for healing. The answer to “is lean illegal?” is a definite yes. But the answer for “can lean addiction be overcome” is also yes for those who get proper treatment.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article shed light on why lean/purple drank abuse is so rampantly dangerous, fueled by peer pressure and misconceptions around risks. Whileglorified in aspects of culture, lean wreaks havoc mentally and physically. The positives never outweigh the negatives.
Luckily help is readily available for those caught in the cycles of substance abuse related to lean use. Through a combination of medical detox assistance, therapy, counseling, support systems, and aftercare – full recovery is possible.
The threat of lean addiction is very real. But it does not have to define someone’s life through appropriate professional treatment tailored to their unique situation. Sobriety brings immense freedom.
If you believe you or someone you love is addicted to lean, reach out today to get facts about treatment options. Taking that first step is the most important one!