University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences

Lean syrup  A warning sign for adolescent health

 

A faculty member of the Center for Substance Abuse and Addiction Research, referring to the prevalence of emerging substance use patterns in cyberspace, warned against the normalization and the perception of Lean as low-risk among adolescents and youth, and emphasized the need for family vigilance against emerging phenomena and the necessity of replacing stereotypical warnings with preventive education.

According to the university web-day report, coinciding with the Week of Combatting Drugs, a faculty member of the Center for Substance Abuse and Addiction Research, referring to the prevalence of emerging substance use patterns in cyberspace, warned against the normalization and the perception of Lean as low-risk among adolescents and youth, and emphasized the need for family vigilance against emerging phenomena and the necessity of replacing stereotypical warnings with preventive education.

The challenge of Lean in cyberspace

Dr. Maral Mardaneh Jobedar, Assistant Professor at University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, said: Paying attention to new patterns of substance and drug use has become more important than ever, and in recent years, the name Lean has been mentioned in social networks, music, and cyberspace more than before—a phenomenon that many adolescents, youth, and even families are not sufficiently familiar with.

Stating that Lean syrup is usually prepared from a combination of syrups containing codeine or other anti-cough medicines with sweet sodas, energy drinks, candy, and sometimes substances like alcohol, she said: " The appearance of this mixture may seem harmless, but its repeated use can bring serious consequences for individuals' physical and mental health.

Codeine and the pathways of dependence formation

Referring to the fact that codeine belongs to the opioid family, the Assistant Professor at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences added: continuous use of this substance can lead to dependence. Many users initially turn to it to gain a sense of relaxation, euphoria, or temporary escape from stress, but over time, they need to consume larger amounts to achieve the same effect, a process that follows the known pathways of dependence formation.

The misconception of harmlessness a factor in the expansion of consumption

This addiction researcher considered the misconception of Lean syrup being harmless to be one of the concerning factors in the expansion of its use, stating: some adolescents and youth imagine that since this mixture is prepared from medicine, it does not pose much danger; while excessive consumption can lead to extreme drowsiness, impairment of concentration, decreased levels of alertness, respiratory problems, poisoning, and in severe cases, even death. This risk increases when used alongside alcohol, sedatives, or other substances.

Dr. Mardaneh Jobedar, emphasizing that in Iran, Lean syrup usually does not exist as a specific and standard product, explained:  This title refers more to the self-medication and mixing of various syrups containing codeine or similar medicines with beverages and other compounds. This very issue causes many families and even some young people to underestimate its dangers compared to reality.

Enhancing health literacy as a preventive solution

Stating that the consumption of Lean syrup is not just a matter related to substances, but also a sign of the emergence of new consumption patterns in today's world, she noted that the speed of changes in cyberspace and the easy access of young people to both correct and incorrect information necessitate that the awareness of parents and educators also stays up-to-date with these changes. Parents who are familiar with the substances and consumption patterns of past decades may not have sufficient knowledge of emerging substances and new methods of abuse. For this reason, enhancing families' health literacy is one of the most important preventive measures in the current situation.

Prevention should not be limited only to warning

This psychologist and PhD in addiction also emphasized the importance of primary prevention, saying that prevention should not be limited only to warning about the dangers of substances; rather, it should begin in the school years and strengthen life skills, critical thinking, informed decision-making, and health literacy in children and adolescents. Schools can be one of the most important platforms for prevention, provided that the capacity of mental health and addiction specialists is used scientifically and continuously.

In conclusion, referring to the role of questioning by adolescents and youth in preventing the tendency toward emerging substances, she stated: if there is no safe space for posing questions, the answers will come from unscientific sources, social networks, or...will be received annually. Providing opportunities for dialogue, evidence-based education, and easy access to specialists can play an important role in preventing the tendency toward emerging substances.

 

Dr. Mardaneh Jobehdar emphasized at the end: during the week of combating drugs, one of the most important messages is that not all addictive substances necessarily appear in the form of traditional drugs; sometimes a serious health threat is hidden behind the familiar appearance of a syrup or medicine. Combating these threats is only possible through awareness, education, and prevention.