Tarryn Kent - Life Coach & Counsellor

18/08/2025

HAPPY MONDAY!!!

10/08/2025

23/07/2025

Wisdom Wednesday

Trauma isn’t your fault, but healing is your responsibility.
You don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode.
You deserve peace, safety, and love—starting with yourself.
DM me if you’re ready to start healing.

21/07/2025

💭 Mindset Monday

You’re not stuck — you’re just holding onto beliefs that no longer serve you.
You’re not broken — you’ve been conditioned to doubt your worth.
Healing starts when you challenge the stories you’ve been telling yourself.

💬 What’s one limiting belief you’re ready to release this week?
DM me if you’re ready to rewrite the narrative 🌱

17/07/2025

How Alcohol Abuse Impacts the Brain:

Alcohol doesn’t just impair judgment in the moment—it can have long-term, devastating effects on brain health. Chronic alcohol use has been linked to brain shrinkage, particularly in areas responsible for memory, decision-making, and learning. This physical atrophy can significantly impair cognitive function over time.

Studies using brain imaging have shown that even moderate alcohol consumption—just one to two drinks per day—can be associated with a measurable reduction in brain volume. Long-term abuse accelerates this damage, leading to a higher risk of conditions such as dementia and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a severe memory disorder caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, which alcoholics are particularly prone to.

Beyond structural damage, alcohol disrupts the delicate balance of neurotransmitters—chemicals that allow brain cells to communicate. This imbalance can contribute to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, and in severe cases, trigger seizures and even psychosis.

The good news is that the brain has a remarkable ability to heal. With sustained abstinence, some degree of recovery is possible. Neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire—means that cognitive function can improve over time, especially when supported by proper nutrition, therapy, and lifestyle changes.

In essence, alcohol may feel like a temporary escape, but its long-term effects can leave a lasting imprint on the brain—shrinking not only brain volume but also your potential for emotional, cognitive, and psychological well-being.

15/07/2025

Tuesday Motivation.

14/07/2025

Have a great week!!!!

11/07/2025

Substance-Induced Mental Disorders:

Heavy or prolonged substance use can lead to psychological symptoms that closely mimic those of primary psychiatric disorders. For instance, alcohol can induce depressive episodes or exacerbate underlying mood disorders, while stimulants like co***ne and methamphetamine are known to trigger anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and full-blown psychosis. Cannabis, especially in high doses or in vulnerable individuals, may provoke panic attacks or schizophrenia-like symptoms. Hallucinogens such as L*D and psilocybin can cause acute dissociation or persistent perceptual disturbances.

Distinguishing substance-induced symptoms from primary mental illness is clinically essential but often challenging. A key diagnostic criteria lies in the temporal relationship between substance use and symptom onset. Timing, family history, and the trajectory of symptoms can offer critical clues:
- Did depressive symptoms emerge prior to the initiation of he**in use, or only afterward?
- Are panic attacks confined to periods of heavy drinking or withdrawal?
- Does psychosis persist well beyond the period of intoxication, suggesting a co-occurring primary psychotic disorder?

Moreover, the resolution of psychiatric symptoms after sustained abstinence may support a diagnosis of a substance-induced disorder, whereas persistence beyond several weeks of sobriety could indicate an independent mental illness.

10/07/2025

Dual Diagnosis: When Mental Illness and Addiction Co-Exist

Dual diagnosis refers to the co-occurrence of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. These conditions are deeply interconnected, with each often worsening the symptoms of the other, leading to complex and challenging cases.

In South Africa, an estimated 29% of people with a mental health disorder also struggle with substance use, while 37% of those with alcohol-related issues have a mental illness. Among acute psychiatric admissions, up to 50% present with both.

High rates of poverty, crime, unemployment, and chronic stress in South Africa contribute to mental health struggles and substance misuse. These pressures often lead individuals to self-medicate with alcohol, opioids, cannabis, or stimulants to escape emotional pain caused by conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or PTSD. While substances may offer temporary relief, they quickly worsen the problem—intensifying symptoms, increasing dependence, and creating a cycle that's hard to break.

If you or someone you know has a mental health or substance use disorder, contact me for assistance.
082 512 6564
tarryn.kent100@gmail.com

09/07/2025

Exploring the Link Between Mental Health and Addiction:

Mental illness and addiction often walk hand in hand, shadowing one another in a very tangled and complex relationship. They are not simply co-existing conditions— rather they are interconnected states of human suffering, each one capable of fueling and reinforcing the other.

Join me over the next couple of days, as I take a more in depth look into the connection between mental health and addiction, substance-induced mental disorders, diagnosing dual disorders and treatment strategies for co-occuring conditions.

23/06/2025

Longer stays in rehabilitation treatment actually improves the outcome for sustained sobriety and long-term recovery.

Emerging research strongly supports the value of extended inpatient rehabilitation stays in promoting long-term sobriety and psychological wellbeing. Evidence indicates a clear and positive correlation between the length of treatment and the likelihood of sustained recovery, particularly when stays exceed 90 days.

Improved Psychological Recovery
Extended inpatient treatment has been shown to significantly enhance psychological recovery. Individuals who remain in care for longer durations are more likely to experience reliable improvements in mental health and emotional stability—critical factors in maintaining sobriety and reducing relapse risk.

Increased Rates of Abstinence
Studies also reveal that individuals who undergo longer residential treatment exhibit higher levels of abstinence in the long term. One notable study found that participants in residential programs reported significantly more days abstinent between 4 and 18 months post-treatment compared to those who received less intensive or shorter-duration care.

These findings reinforce the importance of investing in longer rehabilitation programs to support not just initial sobriety, but also the psychological resilience necessary for lasting recovery. By extending treatment durations beyond the standard 30-day model, facilities can substantially improve patient outcomes and reduce rates of relapse, offering individuals a stronger foundation for long-term success.