{"id":12080,"date":"2022-03-25T09:25:05","date_gmt":"2022-03-25T09:25:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/?p=12080"},"modified":"2025-11-27T20:01:55","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T20:01:55","slug":"what-is-tik-really","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/what-is-tik-really\/","title":{"rendered":"What is tik really?"},"content":{"rendered":"<header><div class=\"contained\"><div><div><\/div><div class=\"content\"><h1>What is tik really?<\/h1><a href=\"#recoveryModal\" class=\"btn submit\" data-toggle=\"modal\">Reach out now, we can help<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/header><div id=\"crumbs\" class=\"contained\" data-is-podcasts=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\">Home<\/a>  \/  <\/div><h3 data-date='25 March 2022' class='article-title'>What is tik really?<\/h3><div class='info'><span>25 March, 2022<\/span><span>Articles, News<\/span><\/div>\n<p>The drug\ntik, is something that is extremely prevalent in South Africa&rsquo;s underground\ndrug circles. Yet mention it to anyone outside of our boarders and they may\nhave no idea what you are talking about. This is not because tik is exclusive\nto South Africa, but rather that this word is local slang for the drug crystal\nmeth. Crystal meth is not something unique to South Africa and is abused across\nthe globe. It has been suggested that the origin of the word is that it\ndescribes the popping sound that is made when the drug is smoked in its\ncrystalline form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns alignfull stk-block-columns stk-block stk-15ecff4 stk-block-background\" data-block-id=\"15ecff4\"><style>.stk-15ecff4 {padding-top:80px !important;padding-bottom:80px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-15ecff4-column alignwide\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-acf0c1d\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"acf0c1d\"><style>@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.stk-acf0c1d {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(60% - var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 1 \/ 2 ) !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-acf0c1d-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-acf0c1d-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-e1a206f\" id=\"take-the-first-step-towards-recovery-from-tik-addiction\" data-block-id=\"e1a206f\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Take the First Step Towards Recovery from Tik Addiction<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-33641d0\" data-block-id=\"33641d0\"><style>.stk-33641d0 {margin-bottom:40px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">Interested in understanding the neurobiology of addiction? Contact our Johannesburg Centre for insights and resources.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-subtitle stk-block-subtitle stk-block stk-844d0a7\" data-block-id=\"844d0a7\"><p class=\"stk-block-subtitle__text stk-subtitle\">Reach Out for Professional Support and Guidance Today<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-fccd6dd\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"fccd6dd\"><style>.stk-fccd6dd-inner-blocks{justify-content:center !important;}.stk-fccd6dd-container{display:flex !important;}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.stk-fccd6dd {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(40% - var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 1 \/ 2 ) !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-fccd6dd-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-fccd6dd-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button-group stk-block-button-group stk-block stk-e3e874a\" data-block-id=\"e3e874a\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-right has-text-align-left-mobile stk-block-content stk-button-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button stk-block stk-ac03d1f\" data-block-id=\"ac03d1f\"><a class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/johannesburg-treatment-centre\/\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Contact Johannesburg Centre<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is\ntik, and what does the drug do<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Crystal Methamphetamine,\nor tik, is a highly addictive drug in the stimulant class. It takes the form of\na white or off-white crystal, and can be crushed into a powder. It can be\nconsumed through smoking, via the nasal passage, injected, and in rare cases\neven eaten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After taking\ntik, the user will be filled with a rush of euphoria, gaining energy and\nconfidence. In elevates the heart rate and blood pressure, as well as possibly\nresulting in the user having increased libido and decreased appetite.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tik user\ntend to stay awake for long periods of time, and struggle to sleep. They may\nalso struggle to concentrate on their daily task, leading to work and studies\nbeing a struggle as well as an inability to preform daily tasks. Paranoia is\nalso a common side effect of taking the drug as well as delusions and\nconfusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What are\nthe consequences of using the drug tik<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a drug,\ntik makes the user incredibly impulsive. This impulsivity leads to poor\ndecision making and results in the user putting themselves in high-risk\nsituation, such as driving under the influence, risky sexual behavior, fights\nas a result of increased aggression and other situation where the user is not\ncognizant of the danger they are in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond\nthis, long term tik use can result in users having serious health consequences\nsuch as kidneys and liver damage. Tik also causes damages to the brain, that\nmay result in seizures and increases risk of stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the\nmost prevalent consequences of meth use that is becoming more and more\nprevalent in a treatment context is stimulant induced psychosis. This is where\nthe psychotic effects of the drug become permeant or semi permeant. Tik users\nwill experience paranoia, auditory and visual hallucinations and delirium after\nthe effects of the drug have worn off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tik use is a\nserious psychological and medical problem, as such often requires professional\nintervention. Once psychosis has set in the situation needs to be resolved with\na combination of therapy and medical intervention. Most importantly, the user\nneeds to stop using and stay stopped. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact <a href=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/\">Crossroads Recovery Centre<\/a> today for a free assessment regarding your loved ones, or your own tik use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQs and Answers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. What is tik?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tik is the local South African slang term for crystal meth, a powerful stimulant drug that creates intense euphoria and energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Why is crystal meth called tik in South Africa?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The name tik is believed to come from the popping sound the crystals make when smoked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. How is tik usually taken?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tik can be smoked, inhaled through the nose, injected, or taken by mouth, although smoking is the most common method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. What effects does tik have on the body?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tik increases heart rate, blood pressure, energy and confidence, while also reducing appetite and the need for sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. What are the psychological effects of tik?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Users may experience paranoia, confusion, mood swings, delusions and difficulty focusing on daily tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. What are the long term health risks of tik use?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Long term tik use can damage the liver, kidneys and brain, and may lead to seizures or an increased risk of stroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7. What is stimulant induced psychosis from tik?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This condition occurs when psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and paranoia continue even after the drug has worn off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>8. How can someone get help for tik addiction?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Professional treatment that includes therapy and medical support is often needed. Early intervention improves outcomes.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is tik really? Reach out now, we can help Home \/ What is tik really? 25 March, 2022Articles, News The drug tik, is something that is extremely prevalent in South Africa&rsquo;s underground drug circles. Yet mention it to anyone outside of our boarders and they may have no idea what you are talking about. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11903,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-news","entry"],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Crystal-Meth-.jpg",584,417,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Crystal-Meth--80x80.jpg",80,80,true],"medium":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Crystal-Meth--300x214.jpg",300,214,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Crystal-Meth-.jpg",584,417,false],"large":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Crystal-Meth-.jpg",584,417,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Crystal-Meth-.jpg",584,417,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Crystal-Meth-.jpg",584,417,false],"alm-thumbnail":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Crystal-Meth--150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Crystal-Meth-.jpg",584,417,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>What is tik really?Reach out now, we can helpHome \/ What is tik really?25 March, 2022Articles, News The drug tik, is something that is extremely prevalent in South Africa&rsquo;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&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"<a href=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/category\/news\/articles\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Articles<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"admin","url":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/author\/admin\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12080","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12080"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12080\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11903"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12080"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12080"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12080"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}