The Bethesda Recovery Treatment Centre, a drug rehab centre based in Plettenberg Bay offer individualized, personal and professional treatment and counselling for specific types of addictions and their varying effects. One particular addiction that we are repeatedly seeing success with is the growing problem of Tik Drug.
The Tik Drug (crystal meth) has become a buzzword in drug circles and has become increasingly popular amongst school children and the gang culture because of the ease with which street pharmacists make the drug, which causes a high rate Tik Addiction. The Tik Drug has recently sparked a huge response from health authorities because of the devastating Effects of Tik upon its victims. Far more is being done to clamp down on dealing tik than on any other drug in South Africa.
Tik the Drug
Crystal meth is typically sold in ‘straws’ and would cost between R15 and R30. Tik the drug can be found in many forms, from a fine powder to larger crystals. It can be snorted, orally ingested, injected or smoked – smoking being the most common method in South Africa.
On the street, Tik the drug has many names, including “tuk-tuk”, crystal, straws and globes. The powder or crystal is placed in a light bulb after the metal threading has been removed. A lighter is used to heat the bulb and the user smokes the fumes. Some users call the drug “tuk-tuk” because of the clicking sound it makes when smoked. Stolen light bulbs from cars are a sure sign of Tik the drug being smoked in that area.
Tik Symptoms
Tik the drug is commonly sold as a combination of amphetamines and talcum powder, baking powder, starch, glucose or quinine. These additives can be very poisonous.
Because the user never knows exactly what he is using, even an experienced user can accidentally overdose.
For obvious reasons, early intervention will give an addict the best chance of recovering. Is someone you know in trouble? These are the Tik Symptoms:
- Loss of appetite, weight loss.
- Loss of personal hygiene standards.
- Increase in irritability and a short-temper.
- Unnecessary aggressive attitudes and behaviours.
- Dilated pupils.
- Rapid speech.
- High anxiety.
- Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, aggressive itching of specific areas of the body)
- Constant headaches.
- An overly friendly manner with a false confidence.
- Insomnia.
- Changes in dress, friends and slang.
- Drug paraphernalia: light bulbs, glass straws.
- Regular visits to the doctors due to contraction of sexually transmittable diseases.
Effects of Tik
The cravings involved with tik addiction and the strength of the desires for tik the drug lasts long after having stopped using it, even months later a recovering addict could still have intense craving for the drug; this is the effects of Tik. The brain is triggered into wanting the drug, often through association with events, people or things that reminds the person of their using. This could be anything from music, lighters, public toilets, clothing or TV shows that remind the person of their using, to people or food they use to eat when using.Anything could trigger a using memory. It could be so intense that it could be called a feeling memory, causing recall of euphoria. The journey of recovery depends on the necessary tools to overcome moments of desire and want. Recovery techniques could help the person to intervene the process of having a thought or feeling to acting on it, and every small victory helps to grow the self again that has been so beaten by the addiction. Recovery from the effects of Tik is not only possible, it could give life like the person could never have imagined, and it can leave a peace that is beyond comprehension.
Because we really understand how and when a Tik addict stops using they are left with an existential vacuum which could better be described as a black-hole, our experiences. Clearly seen by everyone one of our clients, give us permission to stand in that void and guide dying addicts towards a new normal.
Tik Addiction
Bethesda Recovery is having extraordinarily good results in its treatment of all forms of addictions but in particular with the increasing onslaught of Tik Addiction spreading across South Africa. Amphetamine addictions, especially the rapidly growing spread of the addiction Tik the drug, has been instrumental in creating a vast increase in inquiries for tik addiction treatment.
Tik Addiction Effects
Tik Addiction: Crystal Meth Addiction (Tik) is a cheap drug that has taken South Africa by storm causing much damage. Tik the drug is made in meth labs all over the country and produced using a wide range of chemicals and ingredients many that are extremely harmful. Crystal Meth is highly an addictive stimulant that can cause a catalogue of mental health problems as well as serious health problems.
Crystal Meth is referred to as tik in South Africa. Government agencies are becoming increasingly worried with the spread in usage of tik the drug across the country and in particular Cape Town. It is estimated that 42% of drug users in Cape Town choose crystal meth over other drugs. Due to its cheap prices and easy availability, addiction to tik the drug is on the rise in South Africa and will continue to be unless drastic measures are taken to stop the spread.
As a former user of Tik the drug, Hunter S. Thompson describes the feeling of the drug like this: “Faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death”. He pointed to the euphoria, invincibility and absolute control the drug gives the person using it. The addict, whilst being in need of professional intervention, addiction treatment and very often extended care, actually believe themselves to be in control. Whilst everything is falling apart they feel completely untouchable.
