Well I came into this program with a lot of HOPE and I gave it 110 percent and it all worked out. I was doing a lot of oxycontin like 5 to 800mgs a day so I had some work to do. I honestly was pretty skeptical of the whole program when I first started sauna. I kept an open mind, listened to my instructors, Jimmy, Cassie and Amanda and it all payed off. Some of the wins that I had were amazing. I’m a musician so my songwriting came back to me in full force after about 15 days and everything was sounding the best its ever sounded even all doped up, when songwriting is supposed to be the “Best”! My sex drive hit about 6 days in and whoa—my lady showed up about 3 days after that and I’m pretty sure she was happy to have the old me back! I have always been a good father but since after day 2 or 3 of the sauna I had this overwhelming urge to go home and be the best. My son is at a point where he really looks up to me; 13 and I just really want to show him how to be a good solid man.

I really didn’t know if that strong craving for oxy would ever leave my brain. Every morning for the first 3 ½ weeks it felt like a part of my brain was missing. The cravings are way down and my brain came back. So—yeah, I’m a believer in this program, the supplements, the nutrition are a huge factor in feeling good. I came to ATMC weighing 245 and now I’m at 219 and feel much better. Our chef, Maurice, really has this program down pat. He has given me the tools to take home also so my family can live a healthier, less weighed down life. Along with nutrition comes exercise, and I think this is the biggest key to feeling good.

So, basically, thank all of you guys for getting me back into fighting shape and for helping me get that huge monkey off my back. I don’t ever wanna be dope sick again and I think that alone is enough to keep my ass away from the devil “Oxycontin.”

In the beginning, I was angry all the time. I was told several times that I needed to fix my attitude, by several different people. I was punching walls, and wanted to run away. But the staff and my family made me stay, whether or not I liked how they did it or not, today I am SO happy to say I have finished the sauna program.

From day two things started turning on. I had done a program before, so I knew with my more recent drug history it would be a little harder this time.

I’ve had some amazing, mind blowing wins, and it kills me to see other clients not working the program, and taking as much as they can out of it.

I am proud to say I am a completely different person today then I have been, for at least a year. I don’t sweat the little things anymore, and I love the people who have supported me.

My age, and being so young has made this a rather interesting process, since I’m in the house with most people at least double my age. I’m seventeen. And I am proud to say I have gotten my life on track, and won’t go astray later in life, and if I do, I now have people I know I can rely on to point me in the right direction.

Not only that, now I have a really strong set of standards and personal morals I have made based on observations I’ve made from myself and other clients while I’ve been here.

I could probably go on forever about how life changing this program has been, because it really has been. However, just by looking at me I’m sure you could tell, I smile, giggle and laugh easily.

I am ready to move on with my life, and face the world, which is a really big accomplishment, since I nearly got kicked out of the program several times.

I’m not alone in saying I wasn’t sure this day would ever come, but I am SO happy and honestly proud of myself that it has

Hi my name is Hyder A. I’m 28 years old, and I’m from Houston, Texas. I’d like to share my experience here at Alternative To Meds Center with you. Before I got here to this program I was taking massive amounts of opiates (Loratab, Loracet, Hydrocodone, etc.) All 10mg\650. I reached the point where I was taking 120 of them a day plus another 20 Xanax to go with them. This went for 5 years straight. I thought I would be taking pills the rest of my life. Then eventually die from them. I had lost all hope! I’ve been to other rehabs and they didn’t help me at all.

My sister and mother started to search of another place, and told me they found a place that would really help me get my life back. It was Alternative to Meds Center. On the first day I got there the staff was unbelievable. They are very kind, they always asked me how I felt. My case manager was T.J. I would not have asked for someone better. He helped me build my self esteem back up, always made sure that I was taking my medicine and vitamins properly. He is also a very kind and caring person.

I am clean and sober and I cannot believe that the journey was so smooth. I think that if I hadn’t come here I would be dead, jail, or in the hospital. This program has changed my life and I encourage other people to come here! I thank the staff so much for what they have done for me. If I did it hopefully anyone can do it : )

O.K. Well, let’s see. When I first started the sauna program I was very antsy, time seemed to go slow, and I went in and out a lot! But I would sweat buckets when in, and really enjoyed that. I would exercise while in there: bicycle my feet in the air which would burn from the hot top heat in the sauna. I soon discovered more clarity in my mind, a whole lot more serenity in my soul, and an overall calmness at the end. I noticed my facial skin had less wrinkles, my fingernails were growing rapidly and I feel stronger. I still want more echinachia!

I’ve slept good here except two nights. I had crazy dreams that were preventing my sleep but only through two nights. I seem a little stiff but I’m sure once I start working my stiffness will dissipate. Always does, I’m not one to be so still.

Another big time improvement: I felt like I was coming down with something in my lungs. I requested some echinachia and I went to bed and stayed there, resting. Very unusual for me, never would I rest before, especially to prevent/help avoid being run down. I’m just so thankful, grateful, absolutely blessed with this opportunity. I very, very much appreciate all the staff for their extraordinary support. I thank the many many Gods for blessing the perfect timing with everything, everyone in allowing me this perfect opportunity to clean myself of meth.

I was so bound up by drugs and I couldn’t function. The sauna was the necessary tool to undo the years of damage caused by prescription medications. A month ago my life was totally governed by the drugs. Today I have my life back.

My name is Deidre Morales and I am an addict. I am from Kenner, La. and was additive to prescription pain meds, klonopin, & crack/cocaine. I know my life could not stay that way and was ready to get help. I knew if I went to rehab in my own town I would end up doing the same thing when I got out. I went on the internet and found a recovery/detox center in San Fransisco, Ca. that does a safe and effective detox using natural supplements, the place was named Alternative to Meds. I arrived there on a Tuesday and they immediately started me on the program that was suited for me. I had my own room with the comforts of home. My detox was very comforting due to the fact that I was in a home like surrounds. The food is all organic and good for a healthy detox. I am glad I decided to come here. I am leaving on my seventh day feeling great going and to an inpatient program to follow. I have never felt so pure and happy. Thank you to all the staff for your wonderful attitude and making my recovery a joy.

deidre morales

My experience at Alternative to Meds Center in San Francisco, California, has been an outstanding success. I received excellent treatment from a staff that is experienced, caring, and hard working. My detoxification was smoother than I could have ever imagined due to the scientifically proven diet and supplements. I was able to get opiates and benzodiazepines out of my system in a safe environment with minimal discomfort. The individualized setting allows personal care from a well trained staff while learning a diverse skill set that will help me with whatever I do in the future. I have undergone detoxification from a lower dosage of medication in the past and I now realize the process does not have to be as painful as it was in other treatment centers. While I was quite skeptical about the nutritional aspects of the program, I now realize the important role that a healthy, organic diet plays in my body, especially during a detoxification process. The Alternative to Meds Center did an excellent job, from case managers down to the chefs, in providing answers to my questions and showing me a proven process that I can continue to implement in my life when I leave the facility.

Greg-Austin, TX

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

My name is Jason. For twenty-three years I have been taking very strong narcoleptic medications to treat my Tourette’s Syndrome and O.C.D. [obsessive-compulsive disorder]. For my entire life, everyday I felt like I had to take these medicines or else! It was very hard to feel “normal” growing up amongst my friends because none of them had to take high-powered sedatives every morning.

Doctor’s had convinced me and my family that I would have to take these drugs for the rest of my life, which was very discouraging. Two months ago, I was introduced to The Alternative to Meds Center. Lyle, the director, was confident in the fact that he could safely taper me off my meds and implement a natural, holistic regimen. My first thought was that he was crazy. I haven’t lived a day in the past 23 three years without them, and vitamins were going to help? I thought it was outlandish, but I took a deep breath and went into it with an open mind.

After my taper was finished, the results were astronomical. For once in my life I did not feel like a zombie and no longer sedated. My personality turned happy, optimistic and positive… and gets this the Vitamins worked!!! I never thought this was possible… ever. My symptoms of Tourette’s and O.C.D. were gone and I was med free, thanks God!

A month and a half later, I entered the Sauna purification program. Upon beginning the program, the sauna I.C. decided to not allow me to take my vitamin packs. Once off them, my tourette’s came back full force, my mind was spinning out of control, and I was basically a mess. Bringing this to ATMC, they put me back on my vitamin packs and once again, my tourette’s was gone.

As far as I am concerned, this is a modern-day miracle. Being off my meds was a dream I’ve had for years, and Alternative to Meds Center had made that possible. I would recommend this process to anyone plagued with a similar situation as I have had. It really does work!!

- Jason G.

I am a sixteen year opiate user, and have escalated my drugs of choice to oxycontin. Prior to coming to ATMC I was chewing 240mg oxy. I had tried numerous times to detox at home with obviously no success. One night I gathered the courage to reach out for help, and found myself on the crisis line with Dianne. She informed me that there was help out there and that she could help me reach my objective. This was to come off opiates ASAP! With in four days of speaking with Dianne I found myself in San Francisco at the ATMC center. That was a week ago, today I am going home with a clear plan on how to stay sober. The nutritional aspect of the program played a key role in ensuring I feel comfortable during my detox. “I feel good, really good!” And I thank all the staff and clients at ATMC for helping me with my recovery. Thanks Jill