What is tik really?

What is tik really?

The drug tik, is something that is extremely prevalent in South Africa’s underground drug circles. Yet mention it to anyone outside of our boarders and they may have no idea what you are talking about. This is not because tik is exclusive to South Africa, but rather that this word is local slang for the drug crystal meth. Crystal meth is not something unique to South Africa and is abused across the globe. It has been suggested that the origin of the word is that it describes the popping sound that is made when the drug is smoked in its crystalline form.

What is tik, and what does the drug do

Crystal Methamphetamine, or tik, is a highly addictive drug in the stimulant class. It takes the form of a white or off-white crystal, and can be crushed into a powder. It can be consumed through smoking, via the nasal passage, injected, and in rare cases even eaten.

After taking tik, the user will be filled with a rush of euphoria, gaining energy and confidence. In elevates the heart rate and blood pressure, as well as possibly resulting in the user having increased libido and decreased appetite. 

Tik user tend to stay awake for long periods of time, and struggle to sleep. They may also struggle to concentrate on their daily task, leading to work and studies being a struggle as well as an inability to preform daily tasks. Paranoia is also a common side effect of taking the drug as well as delusions and confusion.

What are the consequences of using the drug tik

As a drug, tik makes the user incredibly impulsive. This impulsivity leads to poor decision making and results in the user putting themselves in high-risk situation, such as driving under the influence, risky sexual behavior, fights as a result of increased aggression and other situation where the user is not cognizant of the danger they are in.

Beyond this, long term tik use can result in users having serious health consequences such as kidneys and liver damage. Tik also causes damages to the brain, that may result in seizures and increases risk of stroke.

One of the most prevalent consequences of meth use that is becoming more and more prevalent in a treatment context is stimulant induced psychosis. This is where the psychotic effects of the drug become permeant or semi permeant. Tik users will experience paranoia, auditory and visual hallucinations and delirium after the effects of the drug have worn off.

Tik use is a serious psychological and medical problem, as such often requires professional intervention. Once psychosis has set in the situation needs to be resolved with a combination of therapy and medical intervention. Most importantly, the user needs to stop using and stay stopped.

Contact Crossroads Recovery Centre today for a free assessment regarding your loved ones, or your own tik use.

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