What is lean? It’s one of the current house party drugs of choice. In fact, this one opioid-based drug has amassed quite a bit of lore surrounding it. Because it’s so easy to manufacture, you find it in plenty of places. But is it safe? The short answer to this question is no. Like any substance that contains opioids, lean is potentially addictive. And if you become addicted, you will need the specialized help provided by an opioid addiction treatment program.
At Memphis Recovery Centers, our opioid addiction treatment program gives people the structure and support they may need to begin their road to recovery. If you or a loved one is stuck in the endless cycle of opioid addiction, get the help you need for opioid addiction at Memphis Recovery Centers by calling 901-272-7751 or completing our online form.
What Is Lean?
You get lean when you combine prescription promethazine-codeine cough medicine with soda and candy. This medication is often added in the form of cough syrup. However, lean may also contain promethazine-codeine in capsule or gel form. An alternative name for the same mixture of medication, soda, and candy is Sizzurp or Purple Drank.
There’s no specific dosing for lean. Instead, users mix in enough promethazine-codeine to get high while drinking it. In the past, the hip-hop movement lauded lean as a party drug. They also developed a whole subculture complete with its own rituals and rules for belonging. However, none of this matters when you have developed an addiction and checked into codeine addiction treatment at Memphis Recovery Centers.
How Can Lean Use Lead to the Need for Opioid Addiction Treatment
What is lean abuse like today? Studies show that it’s a popular drug among college students. Many believe that it’s normal to drink lean. They may even think it’s cool. Combine this laissez-faire attitude with peer pressure, and you have a dangerous combination.
Why? The main active ingredient in lean drug mixtures, codeine, is a powerful opioid. Like any other opioid, it can lead to physical dependence when you use it repeatedly. It can also lead to the onset of a full-blown addiction. If this happens to you, you need opioid addiction treatment to recover safely.
What is Purple Drank addiction? One of the key symptoms is the same opioid withdrawal syndrome that affects people addicted to heroin or pain pills. This syndrome includes such things as stomach cramps, chills, and muscle pains. Other common withdrawal effects include:
- Strong opioid cravings
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dilated pupils
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
Overdose Risks
Besides addiction, there’s a high risk of overdose. All opioids have a suppressing effect on your system. Take enough of them, and they start to significantly reduce your:
- Normal heart rate
- Typical rate of breathing
In this way, they reduce the amount of oxygen available to your brain and body. Take this effect far enough, and you will overdose. Overdoses occur when you have too many opioids in your system to sustain your normal function. If left untreated, they can easily end in death. Risks for problems with lean may be especially high. That’s true because you will often have no idea how much codeine goes into the mixture.
There’s Help for Codeine Addiction
Codeine rehab is the best course of action for this kind of addiction. If you have moderate-to-severe symptoms, residential cocaine rehab offers the highest level of success. Select a facility that customizes its care approach to meet your unique needs.
Possible modalities include:
- Group therapy encourages peer interactions for support and accountability.
- Addiction education helps you understand the mechanisms of chemical dependency.
- Nutritional counseling is a tool for returning to a healthy lifestyle.
- Behavioral therapies focus on coping skills development, implementation, and daily practice.
- Psychotherapy is used for pinpointing underlying reasons for abusing lean.
Another critical component of recovery is family therapy. There must be open communication between you and your loved ones. Family-involved therapy involves those closest to you in the recovery process. It empowers you to move forward together, which strengthens bonds.
Similarly, you may have to rebuild your relationships with other friends and loved ones. People in these groups must understand their role as potential enablers of your addiction. Unless they understand how their behavior can affect you, you may have a much more difficult time getting well.
Overcome Codeine Addiction at Memphis Recovery Centers
What is lean but today’s new party drug that hooks its users into a dangerous type of addiction? Those involved in its use may not see this at first. However, in time, you may come to understand the risks of this addictive substance. Hopefully, this will happen before you develop a codeine addiction.
If that’s not the case, you have options for effective recovery. When you’re ready to end your drug dependence, our Memphis Recovery Centers team is there to assist you. Call 901-272-7751 or complete our online form today to schedule an appointment.
