Reflections on the life-world experiences of the adolescent "tik" use

Abstract

Substance abuse among adolescents is a global problem and South Africa is no exception. In the Western Cape there is an alarming popularity and increased use of an illicit highly addictive substance, locally known as 'tik-tik'/methamphetamine. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of this substance and there is an urgent need to address the 'tik-tik' problem in the Westen Cape. Tik/methamphetamine has thus become a great concern to educators, social workers and health practitioners in the province. The goal of this study was to explore the life-world of the adolescent methamphetamine/'tik-abusers' in order to describe their experiences of personal, social and environmental issues in the process of tik-addiction.