Lil Wayne Sizzurp: Here's the "Purple Drank" the Rapper is Addicted to

Culture

By now, it's well known that rapper Lil Wayne has an addiction to the popular Southern adult beverage Purple Drank. He's made no attempt to hide or deny the accusations. He even said that family and friends have encouraged him to quit, but he has yet to do so because withdrawal is like death to his stomach. In light of his recent seizure, it's time to take another look at this dangerous concoction.

Syrup, Sizzurp, and Lean are just a few names for the narcotic cocktail that has changed and ended the lives of many people. It's a combination of the prescription cough syrup Promethazine with Codeine and a clear beverage, such as Sprite or Gin. The consumer may even drop a Jolly Rancher candy in the drink to change it from its natural purple state. Promethazine with Codeine is actually used to treat coughing and other upper respiratory problems. It's one of the strongest prescription cough suppressants. When consumed in high doses, it causes extra slow body movement, altered thoughts or hallucinations, and a serious amount of sleepiness. You can either have a typically good trip filled with impaired body functions and funny moments or it could go horribly wrong with death as the end result.

Purple Drank originated in the 1990s in Houston's underground hip-hop community around the same time that chopped and screwed music hit the hip-hop scene. Both were made popular by Houston's own DJ Screw. The hip-hop icon was well known fir his music abilities as well as his drink of choice. Unfortunately, the same drink he lived by was what caused his untimely death. On November 16, 2000, DJ Screw was found on the bathroom floor of his studio. He had a heart attack at the age of 30. Syrup has also claimed the lives of other hip-hop icons such as Houston's Big Moe and the legendary UGK's own Pimp C. Even after seeing the effects of consuming and supplying this product, younger generations still can't seem to get enough of it. Just search Purple Drank or Promethazine on the internet and the results are mind-boggling. It's seen as just another method to feel good and release stress. For many, it's a battle that they aren't quite sure how to fight.

Lil Wayne isn't the only person out there addicted to sizzurp, which means he's not the only one who fears withdrawal. Would you rather go through withdrawal or let family and friends bury you?