The Battle with Lean: Bow Wow's Journey to Recovery

The Battle with Lean: Bow Wow's Journey to Recovery

Explore the harrowing tale of Bow Wow's struggle with addiction to lean and his inspiring journey to recovery after a hospitalization in 2007.

The Temptations of Lean

In a candid revelation, renowned rapper Bow Wow recently opened up about his tumultuous battle with lean, a concoction of promethazine and codeine-based cough syrup commonly mixed with soft drinks. The artist, also known as Shad Gregory Moss, delved into the depths of his addiction during a poignant interview with The Art of the Dialogue, shedding light on the dark period in 2007 when his reliance on lean spiraled out of control.

Bow Wow Reveals His Addiction to Lean Put Him in the Hospital After Collapsing on Stage 321

Bow Wow Reveals His Addiction to Lean Put Him in the Hospital After Collapsing on Stage 321

Describing his consumption as excessive, Bow Wow reflected on the days when styrofoam cups and Hawaiian punch bottles littered his surroundings, painting a vivid picture of his descent into chaos. "I was sipping so much syrup. I was drinking that s--t like crazy," he confessed, highlighting the grip that lean had on his life. The rapper's admission of feeling constantly irritated and losing control underscored the destructive nature of his addiction.

Bow Wow Reveals His Addiction to Lean Put Him in the Hospital After Collapsing on Stage 322

Bow Wow Reveals His Addiction to Lean Put Him in the Hospital After Collapsing on Stage 322

The Harrowing Hospitalization

The turning point in Bow Wow's battle with lean came during a collaborative project with Omarion on their album Face Off. As the rapper poured himself into his music, unaware of the insidious hold of the drug-infused beverage, his health took a sharp decline. It was on the opening night of a joint tour with Chris Brown that Bow Wow's world came crashing down, quite literally.

After collapsing on stage in Cincinnati, Bow Wow found himself rushed to the hospital, grappling with excruciating stomach pains and a host of alarming symptoms. The realization dawned upon him that he had unwittingly developed a dependency on lean, a revelation that shook him to the core. Forced to confront the harsh reality of his addiction, Bow Wow made the difficult decision to prioritize his health and embark on a journey to recovery.

A Journey to Redemption

The path to recovery was far from easy for Bow Wow, as he grappled with the throes of withdrawal and the agonizing process of weaning off lean. Recounting the ordeal with poignant clarity, the rapper shared the intense physical and emotional toll that detoxification took on him, likening the pain to being stabbed with a knife.

With the unwavering support of his late publicist, Pattie Webster, Bow Wow navigated the treacherous waters of addiction and emerged victorious, determined to steer clear of the destructive allure of hard drugs. Reflecting on his harrowing experience, the artist issued a rallying cry to the youth, urging them to shun the perils of substance abuse and embrace a path of sobriety and self-improvement.