Call Mon-Sun:
1 (800) 301-3753

Alternative to Meds News & Blog Articles

Real Stories: Life After Withdrawal

Last Updated on June 17, 2025 by Chris Weatherall

Alternative to Meds Editorial Team
Medically Reviewed by Dr Samuel Lee MD

Listen to Lyle’s fascinating interview with Kristen as she reveals her miraculous recovery after her harrowing 5-year-long experience on antipsychotic meds and the heartbreak of trying to taper without proper help.

She explains the vast difference in her whole being after being immersed in the ATMC program, which helped her recover relatively quickly. You will hear about some of the technical difficulties that can ensue when conventional medical wisdom falls short, and how holistic detox, exercise, psychological and nutritional support, and after-discharge planning helped Kristen so immensely.


There IS a solution for you,
and it can be found at ATMC!
life after withdrawal, real stories
Our high rates of success demonstrate the value and impact that our unique philosophy brings to our programs. For nearly 2 decades, we have applied Orthomolecular, Naturopathic, and Environmental medicine to our patients with consistent, successful outcomes. The staff at the center are passionate about helping each client by designing a program tailored to their individual needs, addressing both their immediate concerns and long-term goals.
15 Years Experience by Professionals Who Understand Your Journey.
Up to 87 ½% Long-Term Success Rate.
Click to Call7 Days a Week

Join Our Information ARMY AND STAY INFORMED
  • By completing this form, you will be added to our mailing list. You may opt out at any time.
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Medication Withdrawal Shouldn’t Be Torture

A common belief about life after withdrawal from medications or other substances is that it is torturous, that it’s scary, and that it will be painful, an emotional nightmare, and unbearable. The sad truth is that many people have suffered through improperly managed tapering, and as a result, life after withdrawal might have come with unnecessarily disastrous consequences.

substance withdrawal does not need to be torturousBut not at ATMC.

With proper help at ATMC, nothing could be further from the truth when you are in the hands of professionals who know what they’re doing and understand what the client needs for comfort and ultimate recovery success. Our clients come from many backgrounds and situations, including those seeking antidepressant withdrawal, antipsychotic drug withdrawal, benzodiazepine withdrawal, opioid withdrawal, recreational drug withdrawal, or holistic recovery after multiple psychiatric medications. The body needs the proper raw materials to heal and normalize after drugs have become habitually used, and there are specific clinical and environmental protocols that must be in place for the process to be comfortable and well tolerated.1-3

Below, we’ll share some of our clients’ stories and descriptions of their lives after withdrawal. Before coming to ATMC, many had tried and failed, even multiple times. And some had quite nearly given up all hope of having a satisfying and joyful life ever again, after what they’d been through. Of course, it takes commitment and genuine effort. However, with the right tools and proper care and support, success is truly made possible.

Life after withdrawal, when done correctly, can be like opening the door to a brand new level of serenity and happiness, bringing new possibilities for regaining the joy that makes life so precious.

Why These Real Medication Recovery Stories Matter

recovery from substance abuseFor better or for worse, each of us has a profound influence on those around us. When drug dependence or addiction issues interfere with work, personal relationships, and family connections, life suffers for all.

By the same token, when healing occurs, this can also have a profound positive effect on those around us. The stories like Kristen’s, and the other real recovery stories we feature below, can act as beacons of light for anyone suffering through the storm, who is looking for hope, searching for answers, and seeking real help.

There is perhaps no lonelier existence than when one is cut off from loved ones, and when one’s faith in oneself is dwindling, and when hope has found no safe harbor.

We are sharing these stories because they can uplift one’s spirits and provide a pathway of trust and confidence, showing that recovery is truly possible, that there are resources available to help, and that you are not alone.

T’s Drug and Alcohol Recovery Success Story

After a 12-year struggle with recreational drugs and alcohol, Tyler came to ATMC and found the freedom he had been looking for and the tools to maintain that freedom from here on out. Here is a segment from his success story.

The program revolved around rebuilding the basic and essential blocks of life through diet, supplements, removing of toxins built up in everyday life, and spiritual/emotional well being. Within a week or two of being on the diet and supplement plan I was already feeling much better. I was feeling cleaner, both mentally and physically. I had no cravings for my previous drugs of choice. I used every facet of the program to try and become a better, more adaptive person, and it worked.

The staff worked with me throughout the entire process, in a personal and professional manner. They know what they’re talking about and truly practice what they preach. The atmosphere was unparalleled to any treatment facility I had previously been in or researched prior to my arrival. They care here, and it’s noticed in every staff member, in the interactions with other residents, and in yourself. I never thought I would be able to feel like I had prior to all the abuse I had put myself through, but how wrong I could have been.

I went through four weeks as a resident and four weeks in the aftercare program, as a buffer for what lay ahead. I was able to reacquaint myself with the routines and behaviors to live a successful drug-free life. I learned many skills through the groups and therapies provided and through my own work based on the principles taught to me. My health was put at the forefront of my recovery. I felt (and still feel) that I’m winning this struggle and that I will keep on winning if I follow the same protocol developed for me here.

The quality of life promised is the quality of life you get.

Benzodiazepines: F’s Successful Recovery Story

After becoming lost in her life’s journey, and unable to function for herself and her family, F came to ATMC for help with a crippling benzodiazepine dependence. Here are some reflections about her recovery experience.

I’d become a zombie, I’d become the shadow of myself, I’d become my own sadness and pain and fears. I could not be myself anymore so I subconsciously decided to slowly die.

My will power was lost at this point and my life was no longer in my possession. The medicines possessed me. I felt I was living in shadow and darkness.

My life before sobriety was not a life. It was a slow, perpetual sentence to death. I knew from the very beginning I was looking for a place in the mountains, a place specializing in medication tapering, alternative therapies and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a place that emphasized supplementation and a good diet. And ATMC was it. I was on a dose of 2.5 mg of Xanax when I came to ATMC. I was going to go for only a month, because I felt I was already leaving my two daughters, my job, my husband and my other responsibilities for too long. I actually didn’t realize that the real work wouldn’t start until near the end of the first month. So I decided to stay longer, and I’m totally happy that I did so. More than anything else, self-love is what I learned during my stay at ATMC.

B’s Antipsychotics Recovery Success

After suffering a psychotic break, B was put on the antipsychotic Clozaril. College enrollment was delayed due to hospitalization, but a drop in white blood cells caused by the drug necessitated coming off the drug, a hellish experience. Some time after, the Clozaril was reinstated. Still, the nightmare continued until B discovered ATMC and decided to come to the center for proper tapering help and a path to recovery for holistic treatment and elimination of problematic symptoms.

Everyday was a struggle just to get out of bed due to the side effects of Clozaril. I did some research and read the countless success stories of antipsychotic withdrawals and figured this would be the best bet for me to successfully taper off of Clozaril. I am now close to graduating at the center and have now completely tapered off of Clozaril.

The people here at the center have been very supportive throughout this process. I have built many friendships here that I will surely never forget. I am confident that I am on my way back to continue my education and get my life back on track.

ATMC Clients Share Their Insights into Successful Recovery

While every client at ATMC is a unique individual, some universal insights about recovery from drug dependence and addiction are shared among many client journeys.

Clients have experienced the advantages of regular exercise, nutrition, including supplementation, personal counseling, sound healing and music therapy, yoga, Equine therapy, sauna cleanse, Qigong, nebulized glutathione and IV treatments, and much more, and their insights reveal the benefits of these and other holistic therapies used at ATMC.4-10

Insights about successful recovery include:

  • Gradual tapering under medical supervision is the safest, most comfortable route
  • Nutritional, emotional, spiritual & physical support are all important
  • Building meaningful connections with others builds reciprocal strength
  • You need a tool set that works, and if you use those tools, you will find success

Life After Medication Withdrawal: How Does Life Look Now?

Medication withdrawal and beginning a gentle taper is the first, and potentially one of the most vulnerable-feeling parts of the journey. This is why ATMC strives to provide 24/7 care, precise monitoring, ongoing and immediate care, and withdrawal assistance. A calm and relaxed approach eases the withdrawal and tapering experience. And, thankfully, once this part of the recovery process is well underway and completed, remarkable changes are commonly reported. Are you curious about mental health after properly tapering or withdrawal?

Here are some examples from our clients about how life after withdrawal can begin to look:

  • real results & spiritual wellbeingPositive emotions and feelings replace numbness, discomfort, and negativity
  • The capacity for experiencing pleasure and a sense of well-being increases
  • Ability to relax and enjoy good quality sleep
  • Appetite returns, or normalizes, where it has been out of balance
  • Greater energy, increased ability to physically move the body without fatigue or discomfort
  • Increased interest in others, and in one’s surroundings, replacing isolation and introversion
  • A new appreciation for sensory perceptions, sight, smell, taste, etc.
  • Self-love, feelings of connection, gratitude, and compassion return
  • A newfound sense of authentic responsibility to care for oneself and for others
  • New interests and goals can emerge,and  enhancements to lifestyle can flourish
  • Empowered overall confidence in self
  • Real hope for the future and in striving for personal goals

ATMC’s Role in Mediation Recovery

ATMC offers a well-staffed, safe, and comfortable environment for experiencing recovery. ATMC also provides the tools needed to forge a path to recovery on multiple levels, including physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The tools provided can be used throughout one’s life for continued success.

You can review a summary of the protocols and methods used in the programs on our services overview pages.

There is much to understand about correct medication withdrawal, safe tapering protocols, and why neurotoxin removal, lab testing, and nutrition are such important fundamentals in any successful recovery process.

For More Information About ATMC

helping clients with recovery successFor more information on the programs offered at ATMC, please feel free to contact us. We are happy to tell you more about what to expect, the types of holistic treatments that are offered, discuss what would be the recommended length of stay, insurance coverage, or any other matters of interest to you. Take time to review the wealth of protocols and types of holistic treatments that are waiting for you here at the center.

We have been helping clients with recovery success for nearly 2 decades, and our success rate is very high. Whether you or a loved one is interested in holistic recovery from medication, after drug dependence, freeing oneself from addiction, remedying mental health issues, or a combination of these, please call — we are happy to discuss your situation and needs. We offer the transformative power of holistic recovery, so you can begin to live your own personal recovery success story.

Sources:


1. Keks N, Schwartz D, Hope J. Stopping and switching antipsychotic drugs. Aust Prescr. 2019 Oct;42(5):152-157. doi: 10.18773/austprescr.2019.052. Epub 2019 Oct 1. PMID: 31631928; PMCID: PMC6787301. [cited 2025 June 10]

2. Palmer EG, Sornalingam S, Page L, Cooper M. Withdrawing from SSRI antidepressants: advice for primary care. Br J Gen Pract. 2023 Feb 23;73(728):138-140. doi: 10.3399/bjgp23X732273. PMID: 36823051; PMCID: PMC9976819. [cited 2025 June 10]

3. Baldwin DS. Clinical management of withdrawal from benzodiazepine anxiolytic and hypnotic medications. Addiction. 2022 May;117(5):1472-1482. doi: 10.1111/add.15695. Epub 2021 Oct 28. PMID: 34542216. [cited 2025 June 10]

4. Jeynes KD, Gibson EL. The importance of nutrition in aiding recovery from substance use disorders: A review. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2017 Oct 1;179:229-239. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.07.006. Epub 2017 Aug 4. PMID: 28806640. [cited 2025 June 10]

5. Yeom JW, Cho CH. Herbal and Natural Supplements for Improving Sleep: A Literature Review. Psychiatry Investig. 2024 Aug;21(8):810-821. doi: 10.30773/pi.2024.0121. Epub 2024 Aug 2. PMID: 39086164; PMCID: PMC11321869. [cited 2025 June 10]

6. Mikkelsen K, Stojanovska L, Polenakovic M, Bosevski M, Apostolopoulos V. Exercise and mental health. Maturitas. 2017 Dec;106:48-56. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.09.003. Epub 2017 Sep 7. PMID: 29150166. [cited 2025 June 10]

7. Chawla V, Brems C, Freeman H, Ravindran A, Noordsy DL. The Future of Yoga for Mental Health Care. Int J Yoga. 2023 Jan-Apr;16(1):38-41. doi: 10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_25_23. Epub 2023 Jul 10. PMID: 37583539; PMCID: PMC10424272. [cited 2025 June 10]

8. Genuis SJ. Toxic causes of mental illness are overlooked. Neurotoxicology. 2008 Nov;29(6):1147-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2008.06.005. Epub 2008 Jun 24. PMID: 18621076. [cited 2025 June 10]

9. Juozelskyte G, Catling J. Assessing the mindfulness predictors of mental health: does mindfulness practise or dispositional mindfulness better protect young peoples’ mental health? Health Psychol Behav Med. 2024 Jan 22;12(1):2305723. doi: 10.1080/21642850.2024.2305723. PMID: 38274652; PMCID: PMC10810619. [cited 2025 June 10]

10. Saskovets M, Saponkova I, Liang Z. Effects of Sound Interventions on the Mental Stress Response in Adults: Scoping Review. JMIR Ment Health. 2025 Mar 24;12:e69120. doi: 10.2196/69120. PMID: 40127440; PMCID: PMC11976171. [cited 2025 June 10]


Originally Published June 10, 2025 by Diane Ridaeus


This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.

Dr. Samuel Lee

Dr. Samuel Lee is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative approaches. He graduated with an MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did a residency in psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital. In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente.  He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology and has a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Religion from Pacific Union College. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

Social Profile: LinkedIn

View Bio

Medical Disclaimer:
Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.

We Accept Most PPO Insurance Plans for Partial Coverage of Fees

Call Now to Verify BlueCross BlueShield Cigna Aetna

Our Success Stories

Medication Withdrawal Success Stories

Can you imagine being free from medications, addictive drugs, and alcohol? This is our goal and we are proving it is possible every day!

Read All StoriesView All Videos