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 neurotoxin removal 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 Gods for blessing the perfect timing with everything, everyone in allowing me this perfect opportunity to clean myself of meth.

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 a different program. Upon beginning this other program, the supervisor 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

My “Life” at “Alternative to Meds”

This experience and process literally saved my life. I walked through the doors on December 28, 2008 stoned and depressed, bewildered as to what to expect. I walked out on January 25, 2009 with a clear mind and a positive outlook on what my new life without drugs would be like.

I am a 51 year old woman and other than holding my mother in my arms as she passed away this is the hardest and most grueling experience that my mind and body has endured. After 30 years of being on various anti-depression drugs and benzodiazepines and to walk out a month later drug free is something that I would have never imagined I could have accomplished. It was not easy.

Success doesn’t come without a lot of hard work. I had hit rock bottom and I had only had two alternatives… getting busy living or getting busy dying. With my hard work and all the patience, understanding, and hard work from the staff, “I made it”! I met a group of wonderful people, some of which I will remain life long friends with. Thank you to me and thank you to all of you.

Sincerely,
Lorraine Dametto

I attempted to detox and discontinue abusing opiates once before. I got a prescription for Soboxone from a doctor and tried to detox at home. I stayed clean for approximately 25 days, but I was overwhelmed with depression and anxiety; components of the long-term withdrawal effects from opiates. These symptoms were also present when I began the program. Around ten to twelve days into the program, I noticed a significant shift in my mood as well as a much clearer mind. I no longer sit around worrying about my past and future; I am now able to “remain in the present” and enjoy my current situation. During my first attempt to quit I knew in the back of my mind that I would inevitably return to my addiction. This time, on the other hand, I feel quite confident in my ability to return home and remain sober. I am confident that I will start living and enjoying my life again, rather than hiding from it behind a drug-induced benevolence.

I am Matt. I am 25 years old and I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar Disorder seven years ago, it was awful. Doctors started putting me psych medication to stabilize my ups and downs behavior but the side effects of the drugs [lithium, Cymbalta, Geodon] were life altering, I was always tired which caused me to get into two automobile accidents on my way to work because I was so drowsy from the medications. I had a hard time functioning at work and in life all together because of my constant lack of energy and never feeling good about myself.

My father found out about the Alternative to Meds Center on the internet (alternativetomedscenter.com), a place that would taper me off my psych meds so I could get back to a successful life. I was reluctant at first but then I decided to give it a try. I came to San Francisco about ten weeks ago from Michigan.

When I arrived here I saw Dr. Lesser, an Ortho-Molecular Doctor who did some tests on me and said that I was mis-diagnosed and I was actually Hypoglycemic. The doctor said that all of my problems stemmed from too much sugar, caffeine, and white flour.  He said that if I took all of those things out of my diet and started a vitamin regimen that I would see a dramatic change in my life.

I recently finished a taper off of my medication and had no problem tapering off my medicine with the help of the staff, a healthy diet and exercise. I am already noticing some fantastic changes; my energy level has probably tripled. I have started working out 3 to 4 times a week and I have started some classes that are really helping me. My family members have told me that I sound a lot better and much happier than the last time they have talked to me. The people that I live with say that I am a totally different person than I was when I first got here and can’t wait to see the end result when the program in completed.

I think its great and I am really excited about the rest of my life. I now for the first time feel like I can accomplish some great things. I can not believe how much the medication was affecting my life. I am so happy to be med free and feel like a completely different person.

I am so grateful to the Alternative to Meds Center and hope that other people take advantage of this program and what it has to offer. I urge anyone that reads this and wants the same help that I have received to call the center at anytime. The staff is always available to help. Their number is 800-301-3753 and are available 24/7. This program is the best thing that I could have ever done for my life.