Lean, also known by the popular street name “purple drank,” is an illicit substance made with codeine, containing cough syrup, soda, hard candy, occasionally alcohol, and the antihistamine, promethazine. An individual can develop a lean addiction in a relatively short period due to how opioids short-circuit the brain’s reward response system.

While lean is a drug used by people of all ages, it’s most used by teens and young adults at parties or in social settings. There are many reasons why young adults and teenagers more commonly use lean. For one, the mixture of soda and hard candy with codeine may be more appealing to younger individuals. However, what may be even more of an influence is the prevalence of lean in pop culture, specifically in the music and entertainment industries.

If your teen is using lean, it’s important to not wait to seek help. Abusing dangerous drugs like opioids as a young adult can result in long-term negative health effects. To learn about treatment options for yourself or a loved one, call a treatment provider for free today.