Ruqayyah Snyder
Purple drank, also known as lean, sizzurp, or syrup, is an illicit substance that originated in Houston in the 1960s and gained popularity in the hip-hop scene. It is made by mixing prescription-grade cough syrup containing opioids and antihistamines with a soft drink and sometimes hard candy. While the legality of purple drank in Australia is not explicitly mentioned, promethazine, one of its key ingredients, is available over the counter in the country. The abuse of purple drank has been associated with severe side effects and even deaths, including that of prominent music artists.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is purple drank | A polysubstance drink used as a recreational drug |
| Composition | Codeine cough syrup, soda, hard candy, alcohol, and the antihistamine promethazine |
| Side effects | Hallucinations, blurry vision, diplopia, difficulty seeing in the dark, seizures, tooth decay, slowed heart rate, respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest |
| Addiction | Highly addictive |
| Treatment | Evidence-based treatment programs are available at rehab centers |
| Legality in Australia | Promethazine is available as an OTC medication either alone or in combination with paracetamol and codeine phosphate as a syrup |
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What You'll Learn
Purple Drank's ingredients
Purple drank, also known as lean, sizzurp, barre, syrup, or dirty sprite, is a polysubstance drink used as a recreational drug. It is prepared by mixing prescription-grade cough syrup or cold syrup with a soft drink and sometimes hard candy. Purple drank originated in Houston as early as the 1960s and is popular in hip-hop culture, especially within the Southern United States.
The key ingredients in purple drank are codeine and promethazine, which are found in the cough syrup or cold syrup used as the base. Codeine is an opioid drug, and promethazine is an antihistamine drug. These two substances are combined in the syrup, which is usually purple in colour, giving the drink its name.
While codeine and promethazine are the primary ingredients, other substances may be added to purple drank as well. Alcohol is sometimes included, and the soft drink used to mix the syrup may be a sugary soda or a fizzy drink. Hard candy is also sometimes added to mask the taste of the medicine and enhance the sweetness of the drink.
The specific ingredients used in purple drank can vary depending on availability and regional norms. For example, one study found that while most participants believed codeine was included in their lean, only about a third thought that promethazine was a regular ingredient. This may be due to the fact that codeine and promethazine are suspected of being diverted by pharmacists, making it more difficult to access both ingredients together.
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Legality of ingredients
Purple drank, also known as Lean, is a polysubstance drink used as a recreational drug. It is made by mixing prescription-grade cough syrup containing an opioid drug and an antihistamine drug with a soft drink and sometimes hard candy. Codeine and promethazine syrup is usually used to make purple drank.
In Australia, promethazine is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) medication either alone as a tablet or as a liquid preparation or in combination with paracetamol and codeine phosphate as a syrup. Codeine is a prescription opioid that is a controlled substance in the US. It is prescribed to treat mild-to-moderate pain and as a cough suppressant. Codeine is a Schedule II drug, as listed in the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and addiction and is only intended for prescribed medical uses.
Promethazine is a medicinal product available on its own or in combination with other ingredients, including dextromethorphan, paracetamol, and/or expectorants. While promethazine is often available in association with opioids, its abuse may be considered a public health issue with huge implications for clinical practice. Promethazine abuse has been studied in Europe, with reports indicating that it may have a misuse potential, especially among adolescents.
In addition to codeine and promethazine, other ingredients used to make purple drank include alcohol and hard candy. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that can increase the risk of respiratory depression and arrest when consumed with codeine and promethazine. Hard candy is added to the mixture to enhance the sweet taste of the drink.
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Side effects
Purple drank, also known as "lean", is a recreational drug that 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. It is known to produce euphoric effects and extreme relaxation, as well as slight giddiness, disorientation, and hallucinations. It is also associated with a range of negative side effects, including:
- Drowsiness and fatigue: Purple drank can make individuals feel sleepy and tired, with a foggy brain.
- Motor-skill impairment and loss of coordination: It impairs an individual's motor skills and causes a loss of coordination, making it difficult to perform tasks that require fine motor control.
- Respiratory depression and slowed breathing: As a central nervous system depressant, codeine can slow down breathing, leading to respiratory depression and, in extreme cases, respiratory arrest.
- Nausea and dizziness: Purple drank can cause feelings of nausea and dizziness, disorienting users.
- Seizures and memory loss: In some cases, purple drank has been associated with seizures and memory loss.
- Addiction and physical dependence: Regular use of purple drank can lead to physical dependence and addiction to codeine and other ingredients. Withdrawal symptoms can occur within 24 hours of last use and last for up to two weeks.
- Cardiac arrest: In rare cases, purple drank has been linked to cardiac arrest, as seen in the death of rapper Big Moe, who was speculated to have died from complications related to purple drank.
While the act of making purple drank may not be illegal, the use and distribution of its ingredients, particularly codeine and promethazine, are regulated and controlled in many countries, including Australia. The side effects of purple drank can be dangerous and even life-threatening, underscoring the importance of seeking help and treatment for addiction or abuse of this substance.
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Addiction treatment
Purple drank, also known as lean, 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.
Purple drank is highly addictive, and users can overdose or even die from chronic overuse. Treatment for addiction typically involves therapy to uncover the original reasons for substance abuse and to develop new, healthy coping mechanisms. Cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, and art therapy are all used to help people change their behavioural patterns. Treatment may be conducted at a therapist's office, online, or at a drug treatment facility. Inpatient rehab is also an option, and many treatment facilities specialise in treating young people with substance abuse disorders.
For those who have become dependent, a medically supervised detox may be necessary to manage withdrawal symptoms. This can include a lean detox, which can help to manage withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine is a prescription drug that can be used as a replacement in the treatment of opioid dependence. Support groups can also provide peer support and practical insights for coming off the drug.
If you or someone close to you is struggling with addiction to purple drank, there are several organisations that can provide immediate help and advice, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
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Popularisation in hip-hop
Purple drank, also known as Lean, is a polysubstance drink used as a recreational drug. It is made by mixing prescription-grade cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine with a soft drink and sometimes hard candy.
Purple drank first became popular in the underground hip-hop scene in Houston in the 1960s and 1970s, with musician Big Hawk cited as one of its early adopters. It was widely popularised in the 1990s by Houston producer DJ Screw, who attributed the concoction as a source of inspiration for his "chopped and screwed" style of hip-hop music.
DJ Screw's use of purple drank influenced other artists, and it began to spread throughout the Southern United States. This was further propelled by songs like Three 6 Mafia's "Sippin' on Some Syrup" featuring UGK, which brought the term "purple drank" to a nationwide audience in 2000.
The drink has been referenced and celebrated in the works of several hip-hop artists, including Big Moe, Pimp C, Lil Wayne, and Slim Thug. Big Moe, a protégé of DJ Screw, released albums titled "City of Syrup" and "Purple World," which were based on the drink, and he has been described as having "rapped obsessively about the drug." Unfortunately, both Big Moe and Pimp C died in 2007, with speculation that purple drank may have contributed to their deaths.
The popularisation of purple drank in hip-hop has had a significant impact on youth culture. In 2004, a study by the University of Texas at Austin found that 8.3% of secondary school students in Texas had taken codeine syrup to get high. The commercialisation of similar "anti-energy" or relaxation drinks has also been criticised for potentially serving as a gateway to the dangerous and addictive illegal concoction.
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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 by mixing prescription-grade cough syrup containing opioids and antihistamines with a soft drink and sometimes hard candy.
Purple drank is considered an illicit substance in Australia. While some of the ingredients used to make purple drank are legal when prescribed by a doctor, it is not safe to consume under any circumstances.
Purple drank has been noted for its euphoric effects. It can cause hallucinations and impair a person's vision, making them more likely to engage in risky behaviours. Purple drank can also slow a person's heart rate and breathing, leading to respiratory depression and cardiac arrest.
Purple drank is highly addictive due to its opioid content, and users can develop an addiction in a relatively short period. Signs of addiction include preoccupation with obtaining and using purple drank, increased tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit.
