Bow Wow Reflects On Battle With Addiction To Lean
In a raw and introspective interview, renowned rapper Bow Wow, born Shad Moss, recently opened up about his tumultuous struggle with drug addiction, shedding light on a dark chapter in his life that ultimately led to a profound transformation. The 36-year-old artist, known for hits like Shortie Like Mine and collaborations with industry heavyweights, bravely shared his journey to sobriety, offering a glimpse into the perils of substance abuse and the resilience required to overcome addiction.
Bow Wow’s narrative of addiction unfolds against the backdrop of his rise to fame in the mid-2000s, a period marked by chart-topping success and widespread acclaim. However, behind the glitz and glamor of the music industry lay a darker reality as the rapper grappled with the insidious grip of lean, a potent cocktail of cough syrup and soda. Recounting his descent into addiction, he candidly admitted to consuming copious amounts of lean, revealing, “I was on lean. I sipping so much syrup. I was drinking that s— like crazy. If you go back and watch The Road to Platinum series on BET, you’ll see so many white styrofoam cups. I was losing my f—ing mind. That lean s— had me f—ed up. I was just always irritated.”
The tipping point came during a tour with fellow artist Chris Brown when Bow Wow collapsed backstage, his body succumbing to the ravages of withdrawal. Rushed to the hospital, he found himself grappling with intense physical and psychological symptoms, a stark reminder of the toll his addiction had taken. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Bow Wow expressed gratitude for the swift actions of his late publicist, who shielded him from public scrutiny while he embarked on the arduous journey to recovery.
“I had to get right, man. God rest her soul, I had the best publicist ever, Pattie Webster. She put out a press release [that said I dropped out of the tour] for dehydration. Wasn’t no dehydration; I was f—ed up off lean… That’s just good PR. We didn’t want the world to know that 18, 19-year-old Bow was heavy on the drank,” he shared.
Despite the challenges he faced, Bow Wow emerged from the darkness with a newfound resolve to reclaim his life. Turning his back on hard drugs, he now advocates for a healthier lifestyle centered around sobriety, embracing tequila and weed as alternatives.
Beyond his personal journey, Bow Wow has emerged as a vocal advocate for drug prevention and rehabilitation, leveraging his platform to raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse, particularly among young people. Through candid social media posts and public statements, he urges his followers to prioritize their well-being and resist the lure of drugs, emphasizing the need to break free from harmful cycles.
