Lil Wayne remains hospitalized - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Lil Wayne remains hospitalized

Initial reports said that Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne was in critical condition and close to death following a seizure, but a publicist for his record label says he is now recovering.

Lil Wayne has been hospitalized in the past because of seizures. And there has been much speculation about what caused them.

The 30-year-old has previously spoken in the past about his addiction to sizzurp,  a concoction of prescription-strength codeine cough syrup mixed with soda.

Dr. Jeff Gardere, a psychologist, says its highly addictive.

"Not only does it give us a feeling of wellness and euphoria, but it also causes us to release neurotransmitters or hormones -- one in particular such as dopamine -- so the dopamine is released due to the drug and says ooh that feels good," Gardere says.

Lil wayne's 2008 song called "Me and My Drank," is all about the mixture. That same year he told MTV News that quitting the drink.

As it turns out, sizzurp may be a growing trend.

A 2012 National Institute on Drug Abuse survey found over 5 percent of high school seniors said they had gotten high off of cough medicine.

"It makes sense for young people who idolize, worship hip-hop artists who start doing this codeine, this sizzurp, for them to say wow so cool that they're doing it, that's our role model, we'll give it a try too," Gardere says.

Lil Wayne remains hospitalized in Los Angeles.