Bow Wow has recently shared a candid reflection on his struggle with drug addiction, particularly highlighting a critical moment that led to his hospitalization. Speaking on The Art of Dialogue podcast, the 36-year-old rapper recounted his battle with an addiction to lean, a concoction of promethazine and codeine-based cough syrup mixed with soft drinks, during his 2007 collaboration period with Omarion for their album Face Off.
RELATED STORIES: Tiffany Haddish Says She Has ‘Respect’ for Mo’Nique Despite Recent Arrest Jab — Views Her Comments As An “Auntie Talking”
Describing his consumption of lean as excessive, Bow Wow revealed that it was a constant presence in his life then. “I was sipping so much syrup, I was drinking that stuff like crazy,” he admitted, referring to the visible evidence of his addiction in the form of white styrofoam cups seen in the Road to Platinum series on BET. The addiction escalated to the point where he was consuming it “all day long,” leading to significant health issues and, ultimately, hospitalization. The incident that Bow Wow vividly described occurred during a tour where he was co-headlining with Chris Brown, with the opening night in Cincinnati proving to be a turning point.
“We were on our tour, I was co-headlining with Chris Brown, and the opening night was in Cincinnati. And when I got off stage, I collapsed. I went straight to Cincinnati University Hospital. My stomach was so f—ed up that I ended up going back home to Atlanta after the first show. I’m sitting in the hospital, not knowing what the f— going on, and when I get back home and the s— gets worse. I’m throwing up, I’m shivering in the bed, I’m sweating, I’m going through it. I didn’t know I was having withdrawals. That’s how much lean I was consuming,” he explained.
RELATED STORIES: Terry Crews Opens Up About His Porn Addiction Affecting His Relationship With His Wife And Kids
To protect his public image during this critical period, Bow Wow credited his late publicist, Pattie Webster, for crafting a narrative of dehydration to explain his tour departure rather than revealing the truth about his drug addiction. This strategic move was intended to shield the young rapper from the potential backlash and scrutiny of the public and media. Reflecting on the experience, Bow Wow expressed the depth of his pain and the realization of his body’s dependency on the substance despite not having an addictive personality. This harrowing experience served as a wake-up call for him, leading to a commitment to abstain from hard drugs and stick to “tequila and weed,” with a clear understanding of his limits.
Bow Wow’s decision to speak openly about his past addiction followed the tragic death of Mac Miller in 2018, which prompted him to use his platform to warn the youth about the dangers of drug use. Through his personal story, Bow Wow aims to encourage others to avoid drugs, advocating for a drug-free lifestyle and the importance of being a positive role model for the younger generation, according to PEOPLE.