Are Tik and Crystal Meth the same thing?

Are Tik and Crystal Meth the same thing?

Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that dramatically affects the central nervous system. It is commonly known as speed, meth and chalk. In its smoked form it is often referred to as ice, crystal, crank and glass, and in South Africa it is known as Tik.  The differences between crystal meth and other forms of meth are the strength and appearance of the drugs.  While they both refer to the same substance, crystal meth refers to the drug in a more potent, distilled form. The most important difference between Tik and other forms of meth is its strength and purity.

The drug is made easily in clandestine laboratories with relatively inexpensive over-the-counter ingredients. These factors combine to make methamphetamine a drug with high potential for widespread abuse.

Tik’s effects are intense and can last for a long period of time. When the drug wears off it leaves the user feeling agitated and with a depressed mood. It is at this point that the person wants to use again to avoid the feeling of “coming down” from the drug. Tik is either sold in a crystal form or sometimes it is crushed to form a powder. 

Using fast-acting, stronger methods such as snorting can promote binges, where a person repeatedly takes doses as the effect starts to wear off. Injecting or smoking meth has been linked with an increased risk of addiction. In contrast, someone who has swallowed a pill and doesn’t feel the effects quickly may take an extra dose, increasing the risk of overdose.

There is no safe way to use meth, but each type of meth and method of use carries its own risks. Meth is linked with serious long-term consequences, like poor oral health, psychiatric problems and overdose.

There are few drugs more addictive than Tik. What’s worse is that it doesn’t take long for psychological and physical dependence to set in. Relapse rates with Tik are very high because it’s difficult to work through the severity of the physical withdrawal symptoms and to get over the psychological cravings.

In-patient rehabilitation is necessary to treat Tik addiction because addicts need to be physically removed from the enabling environment, and they need the enforced structure and holistic therapy to break the destructive behavior patterns and ways of thinking that keep them in the addiction cycle.

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