Codeine is an opiate found in cough syrup prescribed by doctors to minimize pain and reduce coughing or discomfort. Typically used to treat illnesses such as allergies, bronchitis, the common cold, influenza and sinusitis, it contains properties similar to morphine, but less powerful. (Ogbru) Sounds harmless doesn’t it? It is, until it is misused. Addiction to Codeine is extremely dangerous, and fatal.
There are different ways to intake Codeine, they can be swallowed, smoked, sniffed or injected. (Ogbru) The most popular misuse of Codeine is created in a drink called Lean. Lean consists of a combination of prescription cough medicine, soda or alcohol, and hard candy such as Jolly Ranchers. This innocent looking drink is known for its euphoria that can last for hours and hallucinogenic effects. Celebrities in the hip-hop community are known for consuming this dangerous drug, which leads an influence in their listeners and fans of young ages. (Bellum)
Lean originated in Texas during the 1960’s when it was popular for Blues musicians to mix Robitussin with either Beer or Wine. In the 1980’s the drink gained popularity by hip hop artists in the Huston area, which is now spreading to users all over the globe. The drug earned its name because of the drug promethazine also found in the cough syrup which causes people who drink the purple drink, to physically lean backwards during the high. (Science FACTion Show)
Codeine, an extremely popular term in the hip-hop community. In fact, if you were to type the term into the YouTube search bar, Codeine Dreaming by Lil Wayne is the first video to appear. The song in itself glorifies the use of Codeine, as in the song he describes the experiences and hallucinations he feels while intoxicated on the drug. Other artists such as Justin Bieber and Rob Kardashian have promoted Codeine, which influences teenagers to do the same. (Bellum) The purple drink especially attracts young fans because of how harmless it seems. The candy, the purple color, even the sweet taste of the mixture tricks teens into believing that the drug is completely harmless. Although this may seem glamorous to some, the side effects of misusing Codeine are deadly. Symptoms include nausea, dizziness, impaired vision, memory loss, urinary tract infections, dental decay, hallucinations, and seizures. (Science FACTion Show) Some street names for this drug include Lean, Purple drank, and Dirty Sprite. In an interview the artist Trippie Red, who is known for his exploration drugs is asked about a drug horror story, to which he responds, “Don’t do Lean, please don’t do lean, it’s liquid Heroin.” He explains that he was drinking 3 or 4 cups a day and experienced symptoms of sweating and hunger but not being able to eat because of his loss of appetite “I wouldn’t wish that upon nobody bro”
Besides Lean, Codeine can also be consumed in different ways. Typically, users 30 years old and above drink the medicine straight out of the bottle to escape life. Other users have also reported mixing Codeine with other drugs, such as marijuana, Tylenol and Xanax. The Codeine addiction is global, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2011 nearly 17,000 deaths due to overdose from opiates occurred and in 2013 they estimated 1.9 million Americans had an opiate use disorder in the last year. (Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse) One is able to illegally obtain these drugs through the health care system by providing false information to obtain prescription, syrup houses, or just simply paying someone for their prescription. Reported prices for the syrup ranges from $20 to $700 per eight-ounce bottle. (Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse)
In a peer reviewed article named “Codeine is my Helper” Researchers look into the misuse and the dependence of Codeine in South Africa by interviewing users in various treatment centers. They explored the different motives for using Codeine, which include reducing pain in conditions, to deal with their emotions, or to fit in socially. (344) They also discussed with users how they were able to continuously get a hold of Codeine, to which one participant replied:
“XXXX [pharmacy chain] did notice at one time and asked me, “What happened? You bought from us like a week ago. It’s a 200 ml bottle, it’s supposed to last like 2 months, not a week,” and so I just said, “My bottle fell and broke’” and she gave me another one but said next time I’m going to need a prescription.” (345)
Most participants told the interviewers how the pharmaceutical systems made it simple to purchase more than regular amount at different stores. One user also discussed that they became so addicted to the drug, they became habitual liars to doctors, by over exaggerating their symptoms and being able to manipulate their conversation to the direction they wanted it to go. (346) Codeine is extremely addictive, and any other drug it can become difficult to stop using. Experiences described in the study of withdrawal included symptoms of pain, fear, self-pity, irritability, anxiety, aggression, irregular sleeping patterns and sweating. (346-347)
Codeine isn’t only harmful when used for addiction motives. It is also extremely dangerous for patience when they actually need the medication. According to the JAMA Network, between the years of 1969 and 2012 ten deaths and three over doses in children were reported through codeine after a tonsillectomy. The FDA strongly urges patience and parents to pay close attention to the prescribed measurement, to reduce unfortunate incidents from happening. (Kuehn)
According to Marie Claire in “Codeine Is My Helper” Seeking help for treatment is no easy task for addicts. For Codeine, treatment involves detoxication, rehabilitation, and counseling interventions. It is important to deal with root problems in life that may connect with the issue of addiction. Many seek help from phycologists, and therapists to help them cope with developed illnesses such as depression, anxiety and stress. Now, more strategies are being used to reduce the risk of misuse of Codeine. Strategies like informing health care providers to be more aware of a patience motive and enforcing regulations on codeine products to clearly let the consume know that the medication is highly addictive. A user who was interviewed in the research stated “[unlike] the cigarette companies . . . We don’t have any warnings. Just that small little paper [leaflet]. Who reads that; doctors tell us [but we] don’t really read it. Put the warning [on the box] that it’s addictive.” (347) This former user compares the drug to cigars, which is also an extremely addictive product and explains that if the bottle were more clear of the harmful effects it has when misused like the cigarette companies are required to, it would save a lot more people’s lives.