First and foremost, I want to begin by wishing Lil Wayne the absolute best during this time of medical trouble. He is in my thoughts and prayers. Many people condemn his current music and scorn his lyrics, but he will definitely be remembered as one of the greats when it is all said and done with. Lil Wayne's music played a very pivotal role in my own personal life and I will always admire his content, personality and entertainment that he consistently provided us with.
At the time of this writing, Wayne is reportedly in good and stable condition at the hospital following another seizure.
On this subreddit, as well as on comment boards on sites ranging from TMZ to USA Today, I have read a plethora of remarks attacking Wayne's use of lean, which is a combination drug consisting of promethazine (an antihistamine) and codeine (an opiate). Because opiates are incredibly addictive and withdrawals are hellish, obviously, no one would be advised to continue abusing opiates in any condition and I firmly believe Wayne needs to stop using lean.
However, there is no sense or logic in blaming it for his seizures. Opiates do NOT cause seizures. There have only been a very limited number of instances in which extremely large doses of opiates (far beyond what someone could reasonably consume before overdosing and having their respiratory system shut down) have triggered seizures, even in people already prone to them due to epilepsy.
What is most likely causing these seizures is Xanax, or some other benzodiazepine. Most people are aware that abruptly ceasing use of benzodiazepines after regularly taking them can prompt a seizure. However, unfortunately, most people are unaware that even binging on them for a few days and stopping can also trigger a seizure. This risk is magnified in someone who is already prone to seizures, which, according to his doctors, Weezy is. Lil Wayne's recent work has been littered with nods and references to Xanax, Klonopin and other benzodiazepines. It's apparent that he's using them in large amounts. To make matters worse, this is nothing new. He has evidently been taking them for quite some time. Back in 2008, he even rapped "I am a prisoner, locked up behind Xanax bars." In 2007, when Lil Wayne was arrested for infamously possessing a weapon, he was also found to be in possession of a prescription bottle containing some marijuana and eleven Xanax bars. Further back, in August 2006, he was arrested in an Atlanta hotel after being found with 60 Xanax pills and 59 hydrocodone (Vicodin) pills.
Whether or not Wayne's seizures are due to him ceasing his benzodiazepine use abruptly or due to him binging and not taking any for a day or two is anyone's guess. However, it is vital to understand that opiates are not known for prompting seizures and that lean almost certainly has nothing to do with this.
This leads me to my next point, that Xanax and other benzodiazepines, which have become increasingly popular in the hip-hop culture, are
very serious drugs that can subtly cause extremely serious addiction. I myself am very experienced with them and I am also a moderator at
r/benzodiazepines. Though it may sound interesting and cool to try Xanax because you hear Future rap about taking 56 bars or Juicy J popping them or Weezy letting "xannies send me off into dreamland", benzodiazepines are very serious drugs and need to be treated with the utmost respect, fortitude and discernment. Most people should NOT be using them because they are so easy to get hooked on. Unfortunately, in most cities, they are dispensed very liberally and it is very easy to acquire them. Yes, they are magnificent for relaxing. Yes, they are almost miraculous if you struggle with anxiety (like I do) but the fact of the matter is that regular or heavy benzodiazepine use will lead to addiction, tolerance and a host of other issues, ranging from memory impairment to cognitive problems and motor-skill damage.
If you are hooked on Xanax or any other benzodiazepine, please seek help. Do NOT attempt to tape yourself off. If you're curious about trying it, don't! And lastly, if you are someone who has used it a few times and found it enjoyable, be very cautious. You are playing with fire! Benzodiazepines are great drugs if used therapeutically, but they can become extremely problematic if misused.
