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

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 sauna 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 800-359-9698 and are available 24/7. This program is the best thing that I could have ever done for my life.

The sauna changed my life. After my taper I didn’t feel the best. Then I went to sauna 3 days later. After 2 weeks it had changed everything that I wanted. My attitude was great. I had a ton of energy. My mind was clear and I started to forget about OXY. I’m so much quicker in my thought process!! It’s amazing. I loved the sauna and what it did for me and the second chance it gave my life.

After the sauna program at ATMC my mental clarity has much improved. Intrinsic motivation and drive has increased and I feel normal again for the first time in years. I no longer feel the toxic effects of all the chemicals I have polluted my body with. I am sleeping on my own without a sleep aid for the first time in years. I have an appetite again for food and life. My sense of smell and taste has improved, and the quality of my skin is much better. In short, my overall sense of well being has improved and my outlook on life is positive again.

Shaun Smith

Doing the sauna program has changed everything about me. For the past ten years or so I’ve been involved with heavy drugs and drinking. The program has taken all those urges away and given my life back to me. I have become more focused on things in my life. I am more energetic and outgoing. I realized when I leave the program my life is going to change dramatically. I have a lot more confidence in myself. I can actually pay attention and understand things better than I have in almost eight years. I now know that I can’t remain friends with some of the people back home. I realized I am going to have to move away from that environment in order to stay sober. The sauna has definitely helped with my sleep patterns and has gotten me back to normal sleep. I feel healthier, happier, and more clear headed.

Jeremy DiGirolmo

Since we started using Green Vibrance I have had many personal gains. I started using this product because it was being offered to our clients. I couldn’t tell our clients to drink something that I wouldn’t drink for myself. So I tried it and I like it. The first day of taking this product I noticed an increase in my energy level and it’s continued to get better, as long as I drink it once a day.

Since I was 12yrs old, I have had athletes foot on my right foot. It has been a reoccurring issue for me throughout my life. Just before Green Vibrance was introduced, my foot problem had become very bad and extremely painful. None of the usual remedies seemed to help this time. Within 2 weeks of using the Green Vibrance, I noticed that my foot problem was almost healed and that I wasn’t in pain anymore. I began looking at what I was doing different. The only thing different in my diet and life was the Green Vibrance. My foot problem is almost completely gone now and I am certain that it is from this drink that I take once a day.

Cassie McIntosh

First of all, this was one of my best learning experiences! Very informative, educational, and a real eye opener to what is really happening in the real world. I feel sad see so many young people in this crisis! Although; young and old, I feel that all the staff is very attentive and competent. The food was great, no complaints!