Substance Abuse and Mental Health Facilities in Barnwell, SC

Long term substance abuse in Barnwell could lead to the development of negative psychological side effects, which could be similar to the signs and symptoms of a mental health disorder like depression and anxiety.

This is because using these substances will alter the chemical structure of your brain. Prolonged use, on the other hand, will increase the chances that you will develop the sings of mental illness. Over time, you will soon find that you need dual diagnosis treatment to manage all the disorders that you have been diagnosed with.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

If you went through a traumatic experience, your brain would start producing endorphins in lower quantities. These chemicals are responsible for helping you to feel comfortable and happy.

As a result, you might find yourself turning to mood-enhancing drugs and alcohol to ensure that your brain produces these endorphins in higher levels. Over time, however, you will start relying on these substances to deal with the additional feelings of irritability, anxiety, and depression arising from your post-traumatic stress disorder. This is how you will soon find that you are also living with addiction over and above the PTSD condition.

Psychosis

The likelihood of developing the symptoms of psychosis while taking non-prescription intoxicating substances will largely vary from one drug to the next. For instance, if you abuse cocaine in excess - by using too much at the same time - there is a high likelihood that you will experience psychosis in a matter of minutes. When this condition develops from amphetamine or cocaine abuse, it will typically lead to persecutory delusions.

You might also experience tactile, auditory, and visual hallucinations as a result of abusing hallucinogens. However, these experiences are not the same as a diagnosis of psychosis. Even so, taking too much of these drugs or suffering an adverse reaction from using them could also cause you to develop paranoia and delusions.

Integrated dual diagnosis treatment is recommended if you have been living with addiction and substance abuse and another co-occurring mental health disorder - such as personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, or any other.

Through this form of treatment, you can get the help that you need to overcome your drug and alcohol dependence as well as manage any other co-occurring disorders that you may also have been struggling with at the same time. It can also guide you on the road to long term recovery so that you do not continue suffering in the future.