Juelz Santana Speaks on His Past Lean Addiction: “I Didn’t Really Even Know About the Effects” [Video]

Dipset rapper Juelz Santana recently opened up about his past addiction to lean, revealing that he initially had no idea what he was getting into.

Video

In a candid discussion with “The Art of Dialogue,” Santana reflected on how his dependence on the substance developed over time without him fully realizing its consequences.

“It was sweet, it tasted like candy,” Santana admitted. “I didn’t really even know about the effects and all that. I gradually learned about all that as it was happening to me.”

The rapper began sipping lean after being around Houston artists, who have long glorified the liquid substance.  Lean, a combination of prescription cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine mixed with soda, has long been a dangerous staple in hip-hop culture. Many artists have struggled with its highly addictive properties, often unaware of its grip until it’s too late. Santana has long been open about his addiction to it, first sharing his story in 2018 on “Love & Hip-Hop.” At that time, he also revealed that he had developed a pill addiction after being prescribed opioids by his doctor. Thankfully, Santana says he has finally overcome his dependence on both substances, though he admitted that sickness due to withdrawals is difficult.

“It’s a hard thing to go through…I understand it because I been through it. Anybody going through it, I recommend they just go hard and fight. It’s definitely hard but it’s beautiful on the other side,” he urged.