Alternative to Meds Center

Our son recently completed a program at Alternative to Meds Center. He had previously been to seven previous programs, but ATMC was the program that really made a difference for him. He was able to get off of a toxic combination of meds that had put him on an intolerable roller coaster. He also became a lot healthier with the diet, exercise, supplements, and sauna. The kindness and compassion of the staff, together with the social opportunities afforded by the other residents, helped him develop him gain confidence and a more positive self-image. By the end of the program, we felt like we had our son back.

Today I am home and completely off of cymbalta with minimal effects … thanks to one month at Alternative to Meds Center, I’m back to being me … The incredibly caring staff helped me over the month I was there with the withdraw process. I am a mother of 3 and a Family Nurse Practitioner. Approximately 8 years ago, I was prescribed Cymbalta 60 mg daily, an SNRI, for PMDD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Dysthymia. It helped for a short time but, after a few years, I noticed that it was not helping any longer. Unfortunately, I kept taking it because it was told to me that it is best for my brain “chemistry” that I do so. It was suggested to me to up the dosage to 120 mg many times; however, I refused. In 2011, I missed a dose. The withdraw symptoms started within hours of missing the dose. Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms included: Tremor, rage, uncontrollable crying spells, severe nausea, some vomiting, palpitations, lower back pain (that never occurred before or during taking cymbalta), inability to get words out, moments of dissociation. This made me angry that missing one dose can cause such incapacitating symptoms. I requested to the physician to help me wean off the medication as it no longer helps and I did not like to be “stuck” or in my eyes, “addicted” to any medication because of the terrible withdraw it causes. I was told to wean from 60 to 40 to 20 mg over 6 weeks and then stop. I did as directed, but once I hit 0 cymbalta, the same symptoms returned at full force. I was dealing with these constant symptoms all while trying to work and run a household. By 6 weeks in, I could not longer handle the symptoms and was told by the physician to go back on the cymbalta as I would need it “for the rest of my life”. I didn’t like the idea; however, I did so just so I could function in my daily life. Fast forward to June, 2012. The same thing happened, I missed a dose which threw me back into the withdraw symptoms yet again. I decided I could not accept being on this medication just to avoid the terrible withdraw. I went to another doctor that agreed to help and started to wean me up on prozac and down on cymbalta. The withdraw symptoms continued, although not as severe. I was still unable to probably perform my activities of daily living. I was afraid and frustrated. I didn’t know what to do. My husband found online the Alternative to Medications Center and everything started falling into place. I was admitted to the facility in Sept., 2012. I stayed on my current dosage of cymbalta for my first week while titrating multiple supplements for detox. I was also detoxing in the sauna, which unimaginably helped decrease the withdrawal symptoms to almost nil. The other treatments such as the diet change, detox foot baths, glutathione treatments, massage and Reiki also helped tremendously. Today I am home and completely off of cymbalta with minimal effects. It has been a hard 2 years, but thanks to one month at Alternative to Meds Center, I’m back to being me. Becky

In the 3 years prior to coming to ATMC, I had been in and out of treatment and put on various different medications for anxiety and depression. Upon arriving at ATMC, I was on Zoloft, Risperdone, Cogentin, and Geodon; medications which had left me feeling sedated and hopeless, unable to manage my life. My anxiety was terrible, and I spent my days wavering in and out of depression. I had cried so many tears, my life had fallen apart so many times, and the judgmental eye of doctors had convinced me that there was something wrong with me. Meanwhile, I was spiritually broken. I was lost and I was tired. ATMC truly gave me a new lease on life and was a place where real healing could be done. During my two months at ATMC I tapered off almost all of my meds with no side-effects. The supplements provided to me helped me tremendously with my symptoms, which I could not have foreseen. I had energy again! Actually more than ever! And I discovered a will to live life which is now so strong. The staff were overwhelmingly friendly, conscientious, and open-hearted. Frankly, their kindness and manner were inspirational. From day one they took me in with open arms and provided a safe environment for me to process past trauma, learn how to relieve symptoms, grow spiritually, and gave me real insight and hope into my future. For the first time in so long, life seemed so beautiful and I was no longer in pain, waiting for an answer. Returning home, I take my experience at ATMC with me in so many ways. Not only the healthy lifestyle I practiced there, but the spiritual well-being that comes with it. I am no longer worried about anxiety and depression coming in the way of my life. I am so grateful for my experience here. It has changed my life in so many ways.

I have met some of the most courageous and amazing people here at Alternative to Meds Center. If you are here, or if you are contemplating a stay at Alternative to Meds Center, here’s my parting advice: Give it to yourself because you deserve it. Work the program. It can be difficult but you will emerge as a new and improved person. This was one the best gifts I ever gave to myself. Trust the process and trust the staff. They have your back. My single biggest shout out goes to Lyle Murphy, the founder of Alternative to Meds Center. He is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. He took his personal misfortunate and turned it into an absolute gift for humanity. He created a place where people can be truly healed and not simply medicated into submission by the pharmaceutical industry. His commitment and vision saved my life and I will forever be indebted to him. He is an extraordinary man.

ATMC transformed my life. I showed up a complete mess on 2 different antipsychotics. I had visited 5 psych wards prior to admittance and been labels bipolar, schizophrenic, manic depressed, and a few more. I had also been a drug addict for 3 years prior to my psychotic episodes and done some brain damage. ATMC and their expert staff helped me slowly taper off the medications and rebalance my brain and body chemistry. It has since been a decade since I graduated and I owe most of my success to the staff of ATMC. I now have over a decade clean and sober with zero medication. This would have never been possible without their help. Invest in yourself. Invest in your future. There is no better program on the planet to assist you getting off or minimizing medication to create the best life for yourself. You got this.