Tik is a fairly recently introduced drug based on methamamphetamine. It is a powerful stimulant that temporarily improves energy, alertness, awareness, performance, confidence, courage and social interaction. It also decreases appetite and is popular for weight reduction. Strong dosages can produce contradictory responses, including anxiety, aggression, paranoia and physical collapse. Repeated usage can swiftly escalate to substance use disorder, accompanied by severe physical deterioration and other comorbidities.

Help for tik victims

Chronic tik users, and those close to them, endure excessive suffering requiring complex professional intervention. We have the capacity to help.

Tik is cheap and costly

Tik is relatively cheap, widely available in easily concealed small packets, ingestible in various ways, and is a trendy new fad. Initially, it is often ignorantly perceived as convenient, useful, and less harmful. One of its pitfalls is that it produces extremely rapid dependency. With repeated use, it causes severe physical, mental and social problems at an alarming rate. Tik overdosing is a frequent, often deadly, emergency event.

Tik users tick differently

It is easy to misconstrue tik usage as a foolhardy act by assuming that modern society’s demands should not affect one person more than it does others. Humans are extremely complex individuals and circumstances differ. Not all of us respond in the same way. Some people are stronger in certain areas and less capable in others. Tik dependency is never a choice; it is an unintended result of many influences.

The ongoing tik clock

After a medical detox and healing of the physical damage, tik’s mental cravings usually cease within 14 days. However, subsequent surges of mental cravings can periodically reappear months, even years, after stopping tik usage. This is called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). This recurring problem is frequently reported by patients. Psychotherapy prepares patients to resist these cravings and prevent relapses.

Tik is not a short straw

Though tik is available as small chunks in tiny plastic packets, it is most often sold as a powder wrapped in short, straw-like tubes. On the street it is often called “short straws”, but its deadly effects can have a savagely long reach.

Tik is a concoction of methamphetamine mixed with other, often toxic, substances to increase the bulk. Other drugs are sometimes added to raise the potency and to create additional dependencies and more trade for vendors. Clients never know what the ingredients are or how lethal the dose is, so users often, inadvertently, overdose.

Tik can be taken orally, with or without alcohol, or dissolved and injected. The powder can be snorted or it can be heated and the vapour inhaled. It releases excessive energy and alertness. It attracts people who need to stay awake for long periods of activity. It also aids in overcoming severe inhibition and soothing other emotional dysfunctions. Some people use its’ appetite suppressing side-effect to lose weight.

The initial, prolonged rush of activity eventually results in a “crash”. At this point, the user is completely exhausted, stops all activity and sleeps for long periods. On awakening, they can experience discomfort that can only be alleviated with another dose of the drug.

Tik leads to dependency faster than most drugs. It triggers the release of huge volumes of natural hormones that normally motivate our basic survival actions by creating feelings of reward when an essential need, such as thirst, is satisfied. Overstimulation of these hormones conditions the brain to issue intense, ongoing demands for progressively larger doses of the drug.

Dependency results in a vast array of extreme mental, physical and social disasters. It can, in fact, result in sudden death. Rehabilitation is difficult, but with the assistance of professionals it can be achieved.

You can put a stop to it

Tik dependency is not intentional. It starts and ends with an array of cause-and-effect complexities. It is not a simple willpower issue or self-help matter. Resolution requires expert analysis and delicate intervention skills. Logically it requires personal, professional advice.

Public information is aimed at a broad audience. A person’s specific, personal circumstances demands advice from a suitably qualified therapist. If you are reading this, you can get the friendly, discreet advice that you need by simply dialing the number at the top of this page – this simple act can prevent a tragedy.