Alternative to Meds Center

I wanted to write about my experience with Alternative to Meds Center. I came to ATMC for assistance in withdrawing from antidepressants. Before I came to the Center I was experiencing extreme adverse side effects from Prozac and was unable to work, socialize or even get out of bed. I had no idea what was going on and thought I was going crazy and would never be well again. When I went to my doctor for help, my doctor continued to increase my dose and then added benzos to help offset the side effects of the Prozac. My doctor had no answers for why I was feeling this way or experiencing any of these symptoms. I eventually came to realize on my own that it was the Prozac that was affecting me so badly. My doctor then told me to go ahead and go off cold turkey. I knew better and attempted to taper myself off the medications, way too quickly, which in turn created more symptoms and side effects. I was desperate and scared.

I called an addiction hot-line hoping they could point me in a direction that would help me withdrawal from this medication. The woman on the phone told me she knew of a great place and had someone call me back. I received a call back within two minutes. Diane called me and told me about the Alternative to Meds Center and she explained why I was having some of my symptoms. She put my mind at ease immediately. Finally, someone who could give me some answers and knew what I was talking about and going through.

I got on a plane two days later and arrived at ATMC. The house was beautiful and my driver was very reassuring. I was very scared to be so far away from home and felt desperate to return home. I quickly went to a staff member who shared with me that he knew how I felt and explained his story to me and how he was able to safely withdraw from his medications.  I felt very reassured. I continually went to different staff members who had no problem dropping what they were doing to explain what was happening and what to expect. This was a very important piece of my recovery.

I was taught how anti-depressants worked and the importance of nutrition, not only for recovery but for the rest of my life. I helped in the kitchen with a fantastic cook who taught me various ways of healthy cooking, not to mention his innate ability to cheer me up and pull me out of a pit. We had various speakers come in who only enhanced this program.

The entire staff at ATMC was incredible. I cannot express this enough. Each and every staff member had something helpful to offer me, even if it was to get me out in the community and talk about regular life and not to focus on withdrawing. I asked for regular counseling sessions and my counselor never hesitated to talk with me. He helped me find support groups for when I returned home and never judged me or my feelings. This meant a lot to me. The owner/founder was also very involved and encouraging. He knew what we were all going through and it made this program even more helpful. I am so grateful for the program he has started and continues to improve upon.

The doctor I worked with was incredibly helpful. He not only offered me information about my complications but he was compassionate and listened with interest in what I was saying. The blood tests and food allergy tests were also very extensive and informative and put some “science” into what I was experiencing.

I would recommend this center for anyone who is considering going off psychotropic medications of any kind. This is definitely a serious endeavor and should not be done on your own. The side effects and withdrawal symptoms I experienced at home were torturous and I wish I had not tried to taper off by myself. But I was glad I could go to ATMC to get help with this traumatic experience. They helped me in so many ways and I am forever grateful. Always remember to ask questions and seek help. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help.

I am someone with strong convictions and am not someone who would write a testimonial if I didn’t believe in what I was writing about. I feel it is important to say this and let folks out there know that they are NOT alone and there is help and hope. I searched endlessly trying to find someone who knew what was going on and how I felt and I found them.

Thanks to the entire staff at ATMC. I am so very grateful to ALL of you!!

Tracey

Denver, Colorado

When I came to Alternative To Meds center I was taking Lamictal, Geodon, Lorazepam, Ambien Cr, Levoxl, Estradiol, etc.

I was extremely depressed, suicidal, anxiety attacks and panic attacks to a point I couldn’t do my major job or function. During a fishing trip our boat capsized and I floated in diesel fuel until we were rescued. While at the center I was tested and found I had high levels of mercury. I’ve started the I.V. chelation therapy.

I’ve been here at the center for 2 weeks and I feel like I’m getting my life back, there is a sparkle in my eyes and a smile on my face most of the time. I have energy and feel some happiness again. My medications have been reduced at a comfortable rate so far. I couldn’t get myself off my meds but today I have hope. The food is very healthy to give me a whole body healing. And it tastes good too.

Tiki W.

Over a year ago I started this journey hoping to get relief. I was very ignorant to the realities of prescription drugs. Not only their long term problems but their addictive nature and problematic withdrawal. Many places will detox you in rapid fashion. There is only one location that allows you to detox slowly or taper as it is called, from Rx drugs. I have been on 15 drugs in one year after withdrawing from Effexor too fast. I, in the process, became addicted to Klonopin which should be taken for 2 months maximum. They kept me on it for 1.5 years.

I am a college grad, & former Miss America winner… an over-achiever by very definition and my life deteriorated in a way I could never have imagined because of Rx drugs and my new found fears surrounding them. With psychological support and supplementation, I am now drug free and headed to fight my addiction and heal my wounded family and self. While I don’t agree with certain elements, I do feel that programs like this are necessary and worth fighting for. Your family is saved from seeing the withdrawal and you are able to get off meds the right way. So I know I have done the right thing, my life has been changed. I am finding myself again.

-Anonymous.

Since becoming staff here at the Alternative to Meds Center I have seen huge accomplishments by our clients. Clients who used to stay in the house all the time are now coming out of the house and going to all kinds of sports events and outings and actually are having fun doing it. They no longer have that nervous look on their faces when they are out in public and seem to be at ease. It is really nice to see people come here and clear the fog from their heads and live a happy and healthy life without being on medication.

I am so happy to be a part of a team that is part of something even bigger.

Julie Rosenau
Supplement Specialist
Alternative to Meds Center

Alternative to Meds Center helped me to get off of my anti-anxiety medications. I have been taking prescription benzos for about eight years. I had, in the past, repeatedly tried to get off them with no success and as of recently, have been on very high dosages and I couldn’t function without them. ATMC gave me nutritional education, time, support, and a lot of patience that I needed to get off the drugs. And for that, I thank them.

- E.B.

I am thrilled with my results from the sauna. It immediately showed signs that the program actually does work. I felt the drugs coming out and as a result I look and feel amazing! I look forward to watching others succeed from this experience.

-K.D.

I have cut my dosage of Ativan and Diazepam in half since I began the program here. I have solved or at least started to solve some of my life situations problems here, even as I am in the withdrawal process. My depression has lifted quite a bit since I came here.

-E.O.

I absolutely love this program! It’s great to feel like a young kid again. I’ve never felt as good as I do now, ever before in my life. This program is extremely unique. The staff here is spectacular they genuinely care for each and every individual client. What makes it so great to me is that everyone of the staff is in recovery. Meaning they’ve lived and experienced both sides of life. I feel ecstatic about how clear minded I am. I thoroughly enjoy experiencing the sensitivity of all my newly heightened senses. My life has gone through a complete turn around from my past negative, self-destructive and life-ending way of life to a new way life where I am optimistic and really strive to help others. I want to thank everyone that has helped me get on this path to a new life. I especially would like to thank the staff for helping me save my life and never giving up on me.

In the sauna, I learned more about my self and my goals in life. I learned from my changing views (through more clear open eyes) of other people’s actions and behaviors what kinds of behaviors I, myself, respect and will copy as well as behaviors that I don’t like and will work on everyday. It was a great experience and I feel more aware of my surroundings and more comfortable confronting people and situations and for that I am grateful.

- A.B