What Is Purple Drank? 5 Facts You Need To Know

You've probably heard of Purple Drank in some form or another. Maybe you know that it's a drink that people use to get high, but you’re not really sure what it’s made of. Is it a cocktail? Is it a drug? Is it dangerous? These are just some of the questions many people ask when they hear about purple drank.

In drug and party circles, purple drank is also known as Lean and Sizzurp. From the name itself, you can already guess that it is consumed as a drink or beverage. When the ingredients are mixed together, the drink turns color purple and this is where the name of the drink comes from.

If you or someone you know is taking purple drank, it’s important to know more about the drug and the dangers associated with it. In this blog post we will discuss 5 facts about Purple Drank that you need to know before experimenting with it.

What Is Purple Drank Made Of?

Purple drank is a very risky drug that's generally mixed with codeine, soda, and hard candy. The concoction is usually made using codeine cough syrup, carbonated soda like Sprite or Mountain Dew, and the candy is added to sweeten the mix.

Because the ingredients are readily accessible, many recreational users find it easy to create this drug. Even adolescents take purple drank, thinking that it is a harmless drug. While cough syrup may seem like a harmless drug compared to other illicit or prescription medicines, the codeine in the cough syrup is an opioid. This means it can deliver the same effects as other opioid drugs such as morphine, oxycodone or heroin.

Other recreational users mix different substances to modify or heighten the effects of purple drank. Some users add alcohol or drugs like Xanax to the mix. Adding these substances makes the drug more dangerous.

How Did Purple Drank Gain Popularity?

Purple Drank partly gained popularity because of music artists who were associated with the drug. Some of the famous artists who reportedly used purple drank include Justin Bieber, Bow Wow, Lil Wayne, Mac Miller and 2 Chainz.

According to reports, purple drank caused Lil Wayne’s hospitalizations. Bow Wow confessed to almost dying because of this drug. While the late Mac Miller who died because of an accidental overdose also talked about being addicted to lean several years before.

What Will You Feel Upon Drinking Purple Drank?

What does purple drank do to you? According to users of the drug, drinking purple drank produces a feeling of euphoria and relaxation. It can also make users feel a sense of happiness. Some users say that it makes you feel as if you're in a dream-like state and you’re flying.  One of the reasons purple drank is also called “lean” is because when you take too much of it, there is a tendency to lean to one side.

However, these effects are not the same for everybody. Some users who abuse it also reported negative effects. The relaxation can lead to a feeling of numbness, sleepiness, and extreme sedation. Having high doses of the drug can also produce physical and mental side effects including nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, loss of coordination, itchy skin, high body temperature, dizziness, seizures, and loss of consciousness.

What Are The Dangers Associated With Purple Drank?

Purple Drank has a relatively low level of addiction compared to other drugs such as heroin or oxycodone. But because codeine is an opioid, it is possible to develop opioid addiction when abusing purple drank. In spite of its weaker potency, overdoses can still occur if too much codeine is consumed at once.

A purple drank addiction can lead to psychological and behavioral effects including mood swings, violent behavior, suicide attempts, psychosis,  brain fog, and delayed motor skills. Abusing codeine can also produce long term serious effects such as liver damage, organ damage, and epilepsy.

Another danger is that there are multiple different formulations for Purple Drank so people don't know exactly what they're ingesting. Your individual experience with Purple Drank could vary wildly depending on the type of ingredients mixed into it by whoever made it. Some people add substances like alcohol or drugs making the concoction more dangerous.

Is Purple Drank Addiction Treatable?

If you or someone you know is struggling with a Purple Drank addiction, there’s hope. There are many treatment options that can help to support your recovery. Asking for help may be the first step in finding long-term sobriety and recovery.

Contact Anaheim Lighthouse today for more information about our treatment options including residential rehabilitation programs to address opioid abuse.