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Lean, also known as purple drank, is an illicit substance that first gained popularity in the hip-hop scene in Houston, USA, in the 1960s and 1970s. It is made by mixing prescription-grade cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine with a soft drink and sometimes hard candy. Purple drank has been linked to several prominent musicians' deaths, including influential rapper Pimp C and singer Juice WRLD. Due to its dangerous side effects and potential for abuse and addiction, it is important to understand the risks associated with this substance before considering making or consuming it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other names | Lean, Barre, Sizzurp, Syrup, Purple Sprite, Dirty Sprite |
| Main ingredients | Codeine, Promethazine, Soda, Hard Candy, Alcohol |
| Origin | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Origin year | 1960s |
| Popularised by | DJ Screw, Big Hawk, Three 6 Mafia's |
| Side effects | Tooth decay, Dry mouth, Hallucinations, Respiratory depression, Respiratory arrest, Cardiac arrest |
| Treatment | The Recovery Village offers evidence-based treatment programs |
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What You'll Learn
Purple drank ingredients
Purple drank, also known as Lean, Barre, Sizzurp, Syrup, or Purple Sprite, is a recreational drug that first gained popularity in the 1960s in Houston, Texas. It is made by mixing prescription-grade cough or cold syrup containing an opioid drug and an antihistamine drug with a soft drink and sometimes hard candy. The opioid drug is typically codeine, a controlled substance that is available by prescription and converts to morphine in the brain, binding to opioid receptors. Codeine is also available over the counter in some places and in different forms, including pills and syrup. The antihistamine drug is usually promethazine, which is sold under the brand name Phenergan and can be bought over the counter to treat allergies, nausea, or insomnia. Soda or candy is often added to Lean before consumption to mask the unpleasant taste of the medicine, creating a purple cocktail.
The effects of purple drank last for about four to six hours, and the codeine can be detected in a urine drug test for up to three days. Purple drank can cause serious health risks, including tooth decay, dry mouth, hallucinations, respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest. It is especially dangerous when consumed with alcohol. Users of purple drank are at risk of addiction, and the mixture of codeine and promethazine can be deadly. In 2021, the rapper and singer Juice WRLD died of a codeine overdose, and there has been speculation that Lean contributed to the death of Big Moe, a DJ Screw protégé, in 2007.
Several commercial products loosely based on purple drank are marketed in the United States, such as "Drank" by the Innovative Beverage Group, which contains no codeine or promethazine but claims to "Slow Your Roll" with herbal ingredients and melatonin. These commercial products have been criticized for their potential to serve as gateways to the dangerous illegal concoction.
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How to mix purple drank
Purple drank, also known as lean, barre, sizzurp or syrup, is a recreational drug that first gained popularity in the 1960s in Houston, Texas. It is made by mixing prescription-grade cough or cold syrup containing codeine and promethazine with a soft drink and sometimes hard candy. Codeine is an opioid drug that can be addictive and dangerous, especially when mixed with other substances.
To make purple drank, you will need the following ingredients:
- Prescription-grade cough or cold syrup containing codeine and promethazine (sometimes known as barre, sizzurp or syrup)
- A soft drink (commonly Sprite)
- Hard candy (optional)
It is important to note that codeine is a controlled substance and is only intended for prescribed medical uses such as relieving mild pain or reducing coughing. Promethazine is an antihistamine that can be bought over the counter and is commonly used to treat allergies, nausea or insomnia.
- Pour the desired amount of soft drink into a glass.
- Add a dose of prescription-grade cough or cold syrup containing codeine and promethazine. The amount of syrup added will depend on the desired potency of the purple drank.
- Stir the mixture until the syrup is fully dissolved in the soft drink.
- Taste the mixture and, if desired, add hard candy to sweeten it.
- Stir the mixture again until the candy is fully dissolved.
- The purple drank is now ready to be served.
It is important to be aware of the risks associated with consuming purple drank. Codeine carries a risk of physical dependence and addiction, and combining it with other substances, such as promethazine and Sprite, can intensify the high and lead to a deadly overdose. Additionally, the sugary concoction of cough syrup, soda, and hard candy can cause tooth decay, especially with regular consumption.
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History of purple drank
Purple drank, also known as lean, sizzurp, syrup, barre, or jelly, among other names, is a polysubstance drink used as a recreational drug. It is made by mixing prescription-grade cough or cold syrup containing an opioid drug (usually codeine) and an antihistamine drug (usually promethazine) with a soft drink and sometimes hard candy.
The drink originated in Houston as early as the 1960s and gained popularity in the 1990s due to its association with the hip-hop scene in the city. Houston producer DJ Screw is credited with popularising the concoction, which inspired the chopped-and-screwed style of hip-hop music. It was consumed by musicians like Big Hawk and Big Moe, who rapped about the drink obsessively in albums like "City of Syrup" and "Purple World".
In the 1990s, DJ Screw released several tunes mentioning lean in his mixtapes, which were extremely popular in Houston. This helped spread the use of purple drank to other Southern states. In 2000, the term "purple drank" was brought to a nationwide audience through the song "Sippin' on Some Syrup" by Three 6 Mafia featuring UGK.
The term "lean" refers to the difficulty users have in standing up straight while under the influence of the drug. "Purple drank" refers to its typically purple hue, derived from the purple colour of the cough syrups used. The drink is dangerous and can lead to serious health complications, including respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest, especially when consumed with alcohol. Several legal commercial products have been released in the United States that are loosely based on purple drank but do not contain codeine or promethazine.
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Dangers and side effects
Purple drank, also known as "lean", is a highly addictive and harmful cocktail made from prescription-grade cough syrup containing opioids and antihistamines, mixed with a fizzy drink and sometimes hard candy. It is a polysubstance drink used as a recreational drug.
Purple drank can cause many harmful physical and mental symptoms due to the damaging effects of recreational opioid use and consumption. Here are some of the dangers and side effects of purple drank:
- Addiction: Purple drank is highly addictive, and users can become dependent on it very quickly. The cocktail interferes with the brain's reward response system, making it particularly habit-forming.
- Respiratory issues: Respiratory depression and arrest are serious complications that can occur from drinking purple drank. The opioids in the cocktail can slow a person's breathing to the point where they eventually stop breathing.
- Cardiac issues: Purple drank can also slow a person's heart rate, leading to cardiac arrest. This was a suspected cause of rapper Big Moe's death at the age of 33.
- Seizures: Drinking purple drank has been associated with an increased risk of seizures, as it can deprive the brain of oxygen.
- Tooth decay: The high sugar and carbonation content in purple drank can lead to tooth decay, especially with regular use.
- Hallucinations: Purple drank can cause hallucinations, which are sensations or perceptions that aren't real.
- Overdose: It is possible to overdose on purple drank, which can lead to bodily shutdown. This risk is heightened when purple drank is consumed with alcohol.
- Other side effects: Purple drank can also cause drowsiness, fatigue, loss of coordination, constipation, and urinary retention.
It is important to seek professional help if you or someone you know is struggling with purple drank addiction or experiencing any of the above side effects.
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Treatment for addiction
Treatment options for lean addiction include therapy, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, and detox. Therapy is a core part of substance abuse treatment, and it can help uncover the original reasons for drug abuse and create new, healthy coping mechanisms. There are a variety of therapeutic methods that can be used, including cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, and art therapy. Therapy can take place at a therapist's office, online, or at a drug treatment facility.
Inpatient rehab, also known as residential treatment, offers a high level of care and support. Outpatient treatment is often one of the last stages of addiction recovery, providing support as individuals transition back into their everyday lives. Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) allows individuals to spend up to 15 hours per week at the facility while also attending to work, school, or family obligations.
Detox is a necessary step in the recovery journey, and it can be medically supervised to ensure a safe, comfortable, and effective withdrawal process. Lean addiction often involves high doses of codeine, which can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms.
It is important to note that treatment plans should be personalised to address the unique needs of each individual struggling with addiction. Additionally, family therapy can be beneficial in healing relationships damaged by addiction.
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Frequently asked questions
Purple drank, also known as lean, barre, sizzurp or syrup, is a polysubstance drink used as a recreational drug. It is made from a cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine, mixed with a fizzy drink and sometimes sweets.
Purple drank can cause hallucinations and risky behaviour. It can also cause dry mouth, leading to an increase in harmful teeth and gum-damaging bacteria. It is especially dangerous when consumed with alcohol.
Yes, purple drank is highly addictive. It can cause physical dependence and addiction, and users may start with mild codeine before moving on to more powerful opioids.
If you suspect someone is using purple drank, look out for signs such as slouching or leaning to one side. They may also have taken antihistamines like promethazine (sold under the brand name Phenergan) from your medicine cabinet.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to purple drank, there are addiction experts at The Recovery Village who can help.
