Lean Defined
You may have heard of the term lean being thrown around — especially recently — having garnered widespread attention online on social media platforms. So what is the drug lean?
Lean is most commonly defined as the combination of prescription-strength cough syrup, soft drinks, and hard, fruit-flavored candy. Prescription-strength cough syrup contains codeine, which when taken in large doses, can have extremely damaging effects.
Risks of the Drug Lean
More topical now than ever, lean’s main risk comes from adolescents and how impressionable they can be. Many celebrities, influencers, and professional athletes have been at the forefront of coverages surrounding the drug. This can often come across as “cool,” especially for teenagers, who are most likely to extol the drug — looking up to the people who use it and therefore wanting to live like them.
Side Effects
Now that the question of “What is the drug lean?” has been answered, what are some of the side effects of lean abuse? Typically these can be categorized into short-term and long-term abuse effects. Short-term abuse could lead to lethargy, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, constipation, and memory problems. Long-term abuse could lead to dental decay, arrhythmia, weight gain, and urinary tract infections.
Remember, you are not alone. Addiction is a war that is nearly impossible to face alone — we are here to help. At our facility, your loved ones will get the specialized care they need and deserve.
Hydrocodone vs Codeine: What’s the difference?
Codeine is an opioid used as a mild pain and cough reliever due to its intrinsic low strength and is naturally derived from the opium plant. Hydrocodone is also an opioid — used to treat pain and is typically used as a cough suppressant. It can be combined with acetaminophen to elevate its pain-relieving attributes.
Hydrocodone, unlike codeine, however, is a synthetic drug — much more effective than codeine. Hydrocodone is common in brand-name drugs such as Vicodin and Norco.
Professionals generally consider hydrocodone to be the more dangerous option; it is technically stronger than codeine. This does not mean that codeine is risk-free, however. Codeine is more accessible, due to it being a common ingredient in cough syrup.
Get Help Today
People with a substance use disorder will need a medical detox program where withdrawal symptoms can be safely managed with the lowest likelihood of negative consequences. After that, high-quality addiction treatment can offer long-term recovery. If you have come to the realization that you need assistance with your substance use disorder, contact us today. We can help.
