Lean, also known as "purple drank," "sizzurp," or "dirty sprite," is a recreational drug mixture typically made by combining prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine with a soft drink, often a fruit-flavored soda like Sprite, Mountain Dew, or Fanta. Sometimes, hard candy such as Jolly Ranchers is added to sweeten the flavor

. How to Make Lean:

• Start with prescription cough syrup that contains both codeine (an opioid) and promethazine (an antihistamine).
• Mix the cough syrup with a soft drink, preferably a fruit-flavored soda.
• Optionally, add hard candy to mask the taste and make the drink sweeter.
• The mixture is often served in foam cups and has a distinctive purple color due to the syrup

Important Notes:

• Lean is a dangerous and addictive substance that can cause euphoria, sedation, respiratory depression, impaired motor skills, and cognitive impairment

• The combination of codeine and promethazine affects the brain's dopamine system, leading to a high but also to tolerance and dependence

• Making or using lean without medical supervision is illegal and poses serious health risks, including overdose and death

Because of the risks involved, lean should not be made or consumed outside of medical contexts. If you or someone you know is struggling with lean use, professional treatment options including therapy and rehab are available