When I first arrived at the Alternative to Meds Center I had already gone through the withdrawal phase and been off Oxycontin for 8 days, but I felt drained and my body was very low on strength and energy. On the first day I was here I went for a hike to the gazebo on top of the rock formation behind the facility. It is probably a two to three mile walk there and I was exhausted before we were even half way there. I had to keep taking breaks but kept pushing myself and somehow made it all the way there and back. A day or two later I had started the sauna program, and at first, my energy level made it a little challenging and tiring, but after the first few days of the program I was starting to see and feel the daily improvement in my energy, stamina, overall health, and most of all, my drug cravings and memories of drug use were fading away, creating a clearer mind for me to focus on and accomplish the things that I really wanted.

I have to admit that when I first started the program I was a bit skeptical because I wasn’t noticing anything and began to think it was just torture to make you not want to do drugs again. But I was unclear on one thing, re-stims could also be memories. So the whole time I thought nothing was happening in the sauna the first few days I was actually having many re-stims, thinking about times of past drug use. But when I finally realized what a re-stim could be, about nine days into the program I noticed that I hadn’t even thought about any drugs in a few days and when I tried thinking of the memories I did have, I couldn’t even remember, nor remember the feeling of getting high…they were all gone and no longer had an effect on my mind. It was amazing to see so many results at once and I was happy and grateful to be doing the program. I have been gaining increasing amounts of energy and dramatic strength in my body back. In the beginning of the program, having to run on the elliptical machine before sauna was very hard. I was running slowly because of my lack of energy and when I was done my legs felt like jello. But after a few days, as each day progressed, I could feel the difference in my energy and stamina, and by the end, I was running twice as fast and felt like I had more energy after than before I started. This is one of the most important things to me because with my strength and energy back I can do anything and nothing can hold me back. From doing the program I feel like a new person and my old self again and with a clear mind and body I now have a second chance at life to get the things I really want out of it with the energy to do so.

The sauna program seems like the only and most effective way to get the drugs and toxins out of your body. I wish everyone could do it so that more people could experience life for what it is rather than being behind the mask of drugs.

When I first got to the Alternative to Meds Center I was really excited to be here. When I got here I had been clean off Oxycontin for a week, and I felt better but still very drained. I could not wait to start the sauna program and I wanted to feel better. After doing sauna for a couple of days I started to notice a difference in the amount of energy I had and I was able to more activities, including running faster on the elliptical machine everyday. I was starting to be able to run faster, not get tired, and actually have more energy after running than I did when I first started. Same goes for the sauna, the first week when I got out, I was sleepy and drained but as time went on, I had more energy when coming out of the sauna and would be able to shower, go for a hike, go to class, etc. without feeling tired! I loved the amount of energy I had and how much sleep I was getting as well as how healthy I felt and how healthy I was eating. I had noticed a dramatic difference in everything about myself after doing sauna for one week, especially once I realized what re-stims actually were, that they could be memories of past drug use. The whole first week of sauna I was getting re-stims everyday, all day, and I couldn’t stop thinking about doing drugs.

By the 9th day I hadn’t thought about drugs for a few days. It was actually working, to my surprise, even if I tried to remember anything, I couldn’t. It’s like the memories had dulled out tremendously, and they had lost value to me. This was such an amazing feeling, I felt free of all those negative thoughts, I felt a lot lighter, like a heavy weight was lifted off of me and I was finally free! I felt clearer and stronger minded than ever! Now that my mind is clear and I can actually think for myself and now that I have all my energy and strength back, I feel like a new person. I feel like a kid again, and those were the best times of my life before doing drugs. I’m really grateful for this second chance I have been given to live the happy, prosperous life me and my boyfriend have been dreaming of. I feel more open minded and I don’t have any more negative thoughts flowing through my head. The sauna really rejuvenated my body, mind, and spirit. I’ve been so happy and laughing every day, all day. Not only do I feel 100% better, but I had a good time doing it! I can’t remember anything about drugs and I don’t want to remember, and I’ve replaced those thoughts with those of my future positive goals and my new perspective on living a healthier life. I wish this program could be available to every addict because I’ve seen people go in and out of a 5 day detox or 12 step program and just keep relapsing and its sad because they don’t know all those toxins are still in their bodies.

I feel like the sauna program is the most effective way to get rid of those toxins and cravings, and I’m so grateful for having come to the Alternative to Meds Center.

Now when me and my boyfriend go home, we will have the will, mind power, and strength to say “NO” to drugs and feel good about it as well. We will finally be able to start our lives together, clean and clear minded so we can make the right decisions for our selves. We want to have kids and teach them this happy, healthy way of life so that they will never have to go through the trauma of drug addiction like we both had to. I’ve definitely learned a lot while being here and I’m definitely going to take all of the knowledge I have learned home with me and try to teach others how to live a happy, positive life and let them know they don’t need anymore “happy pills” to feel good about life; it can happen naturally.

All I can say is how grateful I am to have gotten this second chance at life and for all the support my boyfriend and I received from our families and the staff here at ATMC!

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

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 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.

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.

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 loved going through the sauna program. I could actually feel myself become cleaner, physically and mentally. I feel like I have more energy and am more mentally aware. I love the way the sauna made my skin feel like a baby’s bottom. I will recommend everyone to try the sauna program once. I think you can only benefit from it. I feel grateful to my wife that she researched and recommended this program to me. I can’t imagine another program that could benefit me more.

For me the sauna program has given me a new outlook on life. It has taken a few years off my appearance. I’m 60 but look early 50’s. It has given me a better mental and emotional attitude. Emotional things or events can now choke me up where as before I had no feeling towards anything.

I feel and look much better and would recommend it to anyone.