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

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!

I had seven months clean upon coming to Alternative to Meds Center.  I had been and currently was operating in a sort of mental fuzz, and often times would have to get others to do the thinking for me.  It was difficult for me to follow conversations, and often I found myself interjecting at inappropriate times. I came to realize that this clouded thinking was a carryover from my drug history [methamphetamines]. 

Since I had been in a program where most of the people around me shared that same fuzziness, it didn’t seem so abnormal.  But upon arrival at ATMC, the clarity of other clients at first made me believe that these people were not real drug addicts like I had been and had been around.  Indeed, they were different,  but not because they hadn’t been as bad.  They had just gotten a jump on me in a completely transforming process that I was also to share.  Through the vitamin and mineral regiments specifically designed to process residual toxins, I was able to lift the mental fog.  I went from believing I was unfit in the workplace, to being capable of generating my own employment as a self-made specialist.

-L.M.  Berkeley resident