FAQ

Does Tik cause brain damage ?

A vast number of studies seem to confirm that Tik use could cause some damage to the brain although it appears as if some recovery is possible.

Thomas Ernst and Linda Chang  (2000) from the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California found abnormal brain chemistry in methamphetamine users in all the brain regions which had been investigated. The amount of damage was also related to the history of drug abusers with a history of the greatest cumulative lifetime use. Recent research in humans has shown that even three years after chronic methamphetamine users have discontinued use of the drug, there is still a reduction in their ability to transport dopamine back into neurons.

This clearly demonstrates that there is a long-lasting impairment in dopamine function as a result of drug use. This is highly significant because dopamine has a major role in many brain functions, including experiences of pleasure, mood and movement. Thomas E. Nordahl, a psychiatrist from the  University of California and colleagues  found that neuronal changes associated with long-term methamphetamine use may not be permanent but may partially recover with prolonged abstinence.

How long will Tik remain in a person’s system ?

A number of factors will determine how long it will stay in a person’s system

• the purity of the Tik ( locally made Tik is often of dubious origin),
• manner of administration (injected Tik will linger in the body for much longer)
• how often the person smokes,
• the physical fitness and health of the user and kidney function. Tik will, however,generally be detected in urine between 3 – 4 days after last use through a laboratory or rapid screening test. The type of test used will also play a role in detecting Tik : Meth metabolites are also detectable in hair up to 3 months after last use.

Can Tik cause mental illness ?

The link between mental illness and drug abuse is not a simple one. Drug abuse and some psychiatric conditions can exist independently of each other. Often, psychiatric patients may resort to drugs to medicate the symptoms of their condition, eventually becoming totally dependant on the substances themselves. However, there is also the very real possibility that the drug abuse may directly contribute towards the development of a psychiatric problem or trigger such a problem in genetically pre-disposed individuals.

All these scenarios may be relevant in the case of Tik use. There can be little doubt that chronic Tik use  plays a direct role in the onset and development of psychosis, a psychiatric condition characterized by paranoia, disorientation, confusion, delusions and auditory, visual or tactile hallucinations. Whereas most Tik addicts will respond positively upon abstinence and treatment with anti-psychotic medication it is certain that a proportion of these individuals will remain permanently affected. 

What is Khat ?

Khat or cat consists of the crimson brown leaves of an evergreen tree which is indigenous to large areas of Southern Africa ( notably Somaliland, Yemen and Ethiopia) which are chewed to cause a mild stimulatory effect. The active ingredients of the leaves are cathinone, an amphetamine –like stimulant and cathine, which is considerably milder. In it’s natural state the leaves are not that powerful and the active cathinone rapidly degrades to cathine after the leaves had been picked. However, methcathinone, a much more powerful and addictive drug can be synthesized from the leaves.

The effects of methcathinone are similar to those of methamphetamine, causing an intense stimulant rush accompanied by hyperactivity, rapid speech, increased alertness and self-confidence, dilated pupils and a rise in body temperature. Long term effects include psychological dependency, depression, chronic fatigue and course tremors.

What do I do if an addicted friend or family member refuses help ?

Firstly, ask yourself: Who wants things to  change ? You, or the addicted person ? More than often, the addict will happily carry on as before so you can hardly rely on him/her to change! That leaves you and other family members – it’s up to you to do something.

Secondly, it is quite natural for the person to refuse help, after all, denial is an integral part of his/her defenses which have been well rehearsed on family and friends! Do not despair, no matter how hopeless the situation may seem, there are always options even though you may think that you have exhausted them all.

Thirdly, there are generally 3 modes of intervention: One-on-one intervention, group intervention and statutory intervention. In every one of these instances it is imperative that you, the person who wants change establish a helping relationship with a drug counselor or Social Worker. The counselor will explore different options with you and plan a suitable intervention strategy with you.

You do not need to remain a victim  - therefore, contact a SANCA(WC) Social Worker now and get the ball rolling !