Tik Awareness

Wedge Gardens Rehabilitation Centre’s social worker Karen Griessel shared information on what crystal meth is and how it affects drug users.

The drug commonly known as tik has many names including ‘tuk-tuk’, crystal, straws and globes and it often is a fine powder or larger crystals.

“It can be snorted, orally ingested, injected or smoked, which is the most common method in South Africa,” said Griessel.

The drug is often combined with a host of chemicals and other harmful ingredients that cause mental health and physical health problems.

“Crystal meth is typically sold in straws and it is very cheap. Affordability has enabled it to gain rapid popularity in South Africa,” said Griessel.

Tik symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, increased irritability and a short temper with out of control aggressiveness, dilated pupils, rapid speech, high anxiety, psychosis (disconnection from reality), headaches and insomnia.

“The use of the drug alters normal functioning in the limbic system; a collection of brain structures that plays a vital role in normal consciousness and processing of emotions such as anger and fear.”

“As a result of this alteration, people using tik can easily develop paranoia, aggression or a violent state of mind,” said Griessel.

Pleasure levels inside the limbic system are regulated by a chemical messenger inside the brain called dopamine.

High levels of this chemical translate into an increased experience of pleasure.

Like most other commonly abused drugs, tik triggers euphoria by boosting the limbic system’s dopamine levels.

However, while some drugs produce relatively modest dopamine increases (two to four times above normal), tik produces an extreme dopamine boost (12 to 13 times above normal).

This extreme effect largely accounts for the highly addictive nature of the drug.

“Tik also affects the pre-frontal cortex which affects the ability to make decisions, forge healthy human connections and to have empathy,” said Griessel.

“This changes the pre-frontal cortex’s control over the amygdala and results in feelings of paranoia.”

Griessel said many addicts may think someone is out to get them, that lies are being spread about them, that their possessions are being stolen or that their lives are in danger.

This fear often causes violent behaviour in habitual users.

Addicts can still crave the drug months after using it.

Wedge Gardens rehab centre has a holistic three-month programme run by professionals who are equipped to deal with the complexities of drug and alcohol addiction.

As challenging as it is, it is possible to get clean and recover from the personal losses suffered through addiction whether these losses are physical, psychological, emotional, social or financial.

“Recovery is a lifelong process that needs holistic rehabilitation,” said Griessel.

“It takes commitment and motivation to want a healthy and normal life again.”

Wedge Gardens can be contacted at 011 430 0320 or visit the website www.wedgegardens.co.za