Lean—also known as Purple Drank, Sizzurp, Texas Tea, Dirty Sprite, and lean drug—has gained notoriety for its dangerous blend of prescription cough syrup, soda, and sometimes alcohol or candy. But what does lean do to your body, and why is it so addictive?

This comprehensive guide will explore the side effects of lean, its ingredients, how it makes you feel, the dangers of drinking lean, how to make lean (and why you shouldn’t), and how Asana Recovery can help you or a loved one recover from its grip.

What Is Lean and What Is It Made Of?

Lean is a recreational drug made by combining codeine-based cough syrup—typically containing promethazine—with soft drinks like Sprite and often a piece of hard candy. The concoction is consumed in large quantities, producing a sedative, euphoric high. Codeine is an opioid, making lean highly addictive.

So, what is in lean?

• Codeine (opioid)
  
  
• Promethazine (antihistamine)
  
  
• Soda or alcohol (to dilute and mask the taste)
  
  
• Candy (often for added sweetness)
  
  

Because these ingredients are widely available, learning how to make lean is dangerously easy—but drinking lean is never safe.

What Does Lean Do to You?

What does lean do? Lean impacts both the body and brain, acting as a depressant on the central nervous system. While users often report euphoria, calm, and a sense of floating, the effects can quickly turn hazardous.

What Does Lean Feel Like?

People who drink lean often describe:

• Feeling high or “floaty”
  
  
• Slowed speech and movement
  
  
• Euphoria
  
  
• Drowsiness and sedation
  
  

But what does drinking lean do to you in the long term? Chronic use can lead to a range of dangerous physical and mental health problems.

The Side Effects of Lean: Short-Term and Long-Term

The side effects of lean can appear even after just one use. As lean contains an opioid (codeine), the risks increase with each sip.

Short-Term Effects of Lean

• Drowsiness
  
  
• Nausea and vomiting
  
  
• Constipation
  
  
• Itchy skin
  
  
• Dizziness
  
  
• Loss of coordination
  
  
• Impaired judgment
  
  

Long-Term Effects of Lean

• Liver damage
  
  
• Lean gut (bloating and abdominal distention)
  
  
• Tooth decay
  
  
• Brain lesions
  
  
• Seizures
  
  
• Lean withdrawal symptoms (like chills, nausea, insomnia, and irritability)
  
  

Why is lean bad for you? Because the ingredients directly impair your organs, mental health, and can lead to fatal overdose.

Is Lean Addictive?

Absolutely. Codeine is a narcotic, and when used repeatedly, leads to dependency. Is lean a drug? Yes—and a dangerous one at that. The sugary, sweet taste often masks how harmful the concoction is.

Does lean make you high? Yes, but the high is short-lived and comes with immense risk. Repeated users develop tolerance, and then dependency, leading to a cycle of addiction.

Is lean good for you? No. Despite pop culture portrayals, lean offers no medical benefit in its recreational form.

How Is Lean Made? (And Why You Shouldn’t)

Learning how do you make lean is as simple as combining cough syrup and soda—but that doesn’t make it safe. Most users combine:

• 1 part prescription cough syrup with codeine
  
  
• 1 part soda (like Sprite)
  
  
• Optional: candy (like Jolly Ranchers)
  
  

Some even add alcohol, making it even more dangerous. Despite people searching for “how to make lean at home,” this is a deadly DIY drug.

Why Is Lean Dangerous?

Drinking lean regularly can result in overdose, especially when combined with alcohol or taken in large amounts. Promethazine and codeine both suppress breathing—this is why lean can kill you.

What are the effects of lean overdose?

• Difficulty breathing
  
  
• Hallucinations
  
  
• Seizures
  
  
• Loss of consciousness
  
  
• Coma or death
  
  

Who Uses Lean and Why?

Originally popularized in the Southern hip-hop scene, sipping lean is now a widespread issue among young adults and teens. Many users report taking lean to cope with anxiety, stress, or peer pressure.

However, the euphoric lean high quickly turns into dependence, and then into full-blown addiction. Why do people sip lean? Because they believe it’s safe or trendy—when in fact, it’s highly addictive and harmful.

Lean Withdrawal and Symptoms

If you’ve been drinking lean regularly, stopping suddenly may trigger withdrawal. Symptoms of lean withdrawal include:

• Sweating
  
  
• Chills and shaking
  
  
• Vomiting and nausea
  
  
• Muscle and stomach pain
  
  
• Trouble sleeping
  
  
• Anxiety or agitation
  
  

These symptoms are not only uncomfortable but potentially dangerous without medical supervision.

Treatment for Lean Addiction

Because lean contains opioids, treatment for lean addiction is similar to opioid use disorder treatment. At Asana Recovery, we offer individualized treatment programs that include:

• Medically supervised detox
  
  
• Inpatient residential care
  
  
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
  
  
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
  
  
• Dual diagnosis therapy for co-occurring mental health conditions
  
  

Whether you’re experiencing the short-term effects of lean or suffering from long-term consequences, recovery is possible.

Take the First Step Toward Freedom from Lean Addiction

If you or someone you love is struggling with lean abuse or experiencing the dangerous side effects of drinking lean, now is the time to act. At Asana Recovery, we offer personalized, evidence-based treatment for opioid-based addictions like lean. Our compassionate team understands the unique challenges this drug presents and provides a safe space for detox, recovery, and long-term healing. Don’t wait until the damage is irreversible—contact Asana Recovery today and reclaim your health, your clarity, and your future.

FAQs About Lean

What does lean do to your body?

Lean acts as a central nervous system depressant, impairing motor functions, slowing breathing, and increasing the risk of overdose. Over time, drinking lean can lead to liver damage, tooth decay, and cognitive decline.

Is lean bad for you?

 Yes, lean is extremely harmful. It’s made with codeine (an opioid), and even short-term use can result in dangerous side effects. Long-term use raises the risk of addiction, psychosis, and fatal respiratory depression.

What are the side effects of drinking lean?

The most common lean side effects include nausea, dizziness, hallucinations, constipation, slowed reaction time, and difficulty breathing. Long-term users often develop lean gut, seizures, and withdrawal symptoms.

Does lean make you high?

Yes. People who take lean often report a euphoric, sedated high. However, the high is short-lived and can quickly lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction.

What does lean feel like when you drink it?

Sipping lean may feel like floating or being in a dream-like state. Some describe it as warm or calming, but those sensations come at a steep physical and psychological cost.

How is lean made?

Lean is typically made by mixing prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine with soda, and sometimes candy or alcohol. It’s also known by names like purple drank, dirty Sprite, and Sizzurp.

What are the symptoms of lean withdrawal?

Withdrawal from lean can include fever, chills, vomiting, insomnia, irritability, and severe cravings. Because codeine is an opioid, these symptoms are similar to other opiate withdrawal syndromes.

Why is lean dangerous?

Lean is dangerous because of how it suppresses respiratory function. Combining it with alcohol or using it in high doses can cause life-threatening effects or death.

What does lean taste like?

Lean typically has a very sweet taste due to the soda and candy, which masks the bitterness of the cough syrup. Its palatable flavor makes it deceptively appealing to younger users.

Is lean addictive?

Yes. Lean is highly addictive due to the presence of codeine. Many users become physically and psychologically dependent after repeated use, often without realizing it until withdrawal symptoms appear.

Can you die from drinking lean?

Absolutely. Respiratory depression, seizures, and overdose are all potential consequences of taking too much lean—especially when mixed with alcohol or other depressants.

What does lean look like?

Lean usually has a purple tint (from the cough syrup), but it can appear pink, red, or even green depending on the ingredients. It’s often served in a cup, mixed with Sprite or other soft drinks.

Is lean a drug?

Yes. Lean is classified as a recreational drug made from controlled substances. It contains opioids and antihistamines that alter brain chemistry and cause sedation.

How long does it take for lean to kick in?

The effects of lean typically begin within 20 to 60 minutes after ingestion and may last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours depending on the dosage and whether other substances are involved.

Informational Sources 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Prescription opioid overdose data. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/prescribing.html

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024). Misuse of prescription drugs research report. National Institutes of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). Treatment for opioid use disorder. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment

National Institutes of Health. (2023). Codeine: MedlinePlus drug information. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682065.html

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2023). Drugs of abuse: A DEA resource guide. https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/drugsofabuse_2023.pdf