How Offset's son played a crucial role in his journey to quit codeine

With all the drama between Cardi B and Offset, it’s easy to get caught up in the marriage mess, but there’s more happening behind the scenes.

Offset has opened up about his struggles with addiction, family and the hard work it takes to stay sober while living in the spotlight.

On the "Baby, This Is Keke Palmer" podcast, Offset revealed he’s been four years sober from codeine after a wake-up call from his 15-year-old son, Jordan.

The rapper admitted his use started when Migos’ career blew up, and making music began to feel more like a job than a passion.

“I was taking to the cup, and then you know what you get tricked on? A lot of artists, I feel, like be tricked on like, ‘Oh, I can't make music without the drugs.’ That's cap,” he said.

What started as experimenting quickly turned into a serious problem. Offset explained that initially, it was just “playing with it,” but over time, it became an addiction that his loved ones began to notice.

His mother, for one, wasn’t shy about speaking up. He recalled her telling him, “Hey boy, I don't like you on this, what this is,” and the arguments that followed made him realise the effect it was having on his relationships.

The moment that really shook him came from his son. Jordan noticed something as simple as the colour of his dad’s drink compared to his own pineapple Fanta.

Offset said, “One day he came in studio like, ‘Why yours is different colour than mine?’ It killed me.”

It made him realise that even if his son didn’t understand what the drink contained, he was paying attention and absorbing his habits. “I'm like, ‘Oh no, I gotta get off of this.’ That’s what touched me,” he admitted.

Users often mix it with soda and candy to make “lean” or “purple drank”, which has been popularised in hip hop culture.

The high from codeine can make you feel floaty, relaxed, or even numb to stress for a short while, which is why some artists and fans are drawn to it, especially when life or work feels overwhelming.

Family pressure played a big role in helping him quit. Offset reflected on how hurtful it was when his family repeatedly expressed concern, even as he was successful and financially secure.

“When your mama calling you like, ‘You need to get off that stuff,’ and she said it two or three times, it hurt for sure,” he said.

Offset’s story also shines a light on the wider hip hop culture, where codeine, often consumed in “lean”, has been glamorised for years.

It’s featured in lyrics, videos, and social media as a creative boost or party accessory, even though it’s highly addictive.

Artists like Lil Wayne have famously rapped about sipping lean in tracks like “Me and My Drank”, while Future often references codeine in songs like “Codeine Crazy”. Juice WRLD also talked openly about lean in tracks like “Lean Wit Me”.

This glorification can make it tempting for fans and other artists, but as Offset’s experience shows, what starts as experimentation can quickly spiral into addiction.