A refreshing change is occurring around the world in healthcare, away from the overprescribing of medication, to natural support for depression, anxiety, insomnia, and other troubling symptoms.1-3
Whether you are undecided about starting medication, or want to reduce or stop the current medication course you are on, this article has collated a lot of information that we hope may help you in planning your best recovery journey forward.
The very bestin natural support is here for you.
We would like to share our high rates of client success, which we attribute to the fundamentals we use to design and customize treatment plans for each individual client. Would you like to know more about our holistic treatment protocols? Our integrated approach blends medical oversight with the principles of nutritional psychiatry and orthomolecular medicine. We are blessed with a staff of over 40 professionals who are highly skilled in their field to give you the best care available. Our focus is on discovering and addressing the root causes of symptoms. Over the last 20 years, we’ve helped thousands of clients recover and plan on continuing to do the same for another 20 years.
15 Years Experience by Professionals Who Understand Your Journey.
Overview: Medication vs Drug-Free Mental Health Treatment
Deciding on medication vs drug-free treatment can be a difficult decision. ATMC believes one should have free choice when it comes to their health care, but it can be tough to figure it out on your own.
To make it easier, here we will cover some of the ways “traditional” treatment with medications differs from medication-free approaches to mental health treatment. If you are currently taking medication, you may be looking at stopping either because of a lack of efficacy or because of side effects. If you have never taken medication, but you have symptoms, you may be considering starting prescription medication to get relief. Your situation is unique, but all of these situations deserve careful consideration to make sure the best way forward is with the best possible outcome.
Some points to consider will be discussed below, along with some guidelines that may help in the decision-making process.
Key points to consider can include:
Learning about specific medications and how they work
Understanding medication withdrawal phenomena and the expected timeline if stopping medications
Side effects of drugs, both short-term and long-term
Current health profile, age, and medication history
Severity of symptoms
Learning more about holistic alternatives and drug-free strategies that can relieve symptoms without relying on psychiatric medications
Access to support from family, friends, and clinical support
Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed drugs to treat depression, but other drugs have also become commonly prescribed “off-label,” such as benzodiazepines, anesthetics like ketamine, and even antipsychotics.4,5
For example, when a prescribed antidepressant doesn’t “work,” the patient is often labeled with a “treatment-resistant depressive disorder”. That is typically when an antipsychotic medication is prescribed.
Withdrawing from antidepressant medication can cause severely troubling symptoms, even suicidal-level depression, strange and unpredictable sensations, cognitive decline, mood swings, and many physical symptoms that resemble having the flu. But these symptoms can become prolonged if medication withdrawal is not treated correctly. Withdrawal must be gradual, and there are many ways that holistic natural support can assist effectively in this area.6
The Role of Medication in Mental Health Treatment
For many decades, medication has taken a primary role in mental health treatment. This role is changing. Medical doctors are by far the most frequent prescribers of antidepressants, sleep meds, benzodiazepines, or other drugs for anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other mental health symptoms.
However, this is a heavy burden because medical doctors are not trained in mental health. Medical doctors are highly trained in other treatments like setting bones, prescribing antibiotics, stitching up wounds, and monitoring heart issues, and are valuable experts in these fields. But it would be a stretch even for a physician who was trained in mental health to make a perfect diagnosis in a 15-minute doctor visit. Yet this is how most patients received their prescribed treatment.
However, times are changing. We see the emergence of a more informed approach to mental health treatment that consists of finding out about and implementing drug-free treatments with proven effectiveness first, and turning to medications only as a last resort, or where a crisis situation requires medication for the safety of the patient. A good example is in Norway, where the Ministry of Health has mandated since 2015 that drug-free treatment be offered before medication-based treatment is considered.1-3
Global Markets are Trending Away from Medication and Moving Toward Natural Support for Depression
Global market trends report a growing segment of the population looking for drug-free depression treatment, and this has been reported since at least 2022, and is projected to continue growing substantially for the foreseeable future. The report points out that unwanted drug side effects are the main catalyst for this changing market trend away from medication-based treatments for depression.
A rising awareness of drug-free treatments for mental health is exploding in China, Japan, and India, and causing a high demand for natural support for depression, anxiety, and other common symptoms.
How ATMC Provides Natural Support for Depression, Anxiety, and Other Mental Health Disorders
For about 2 decades now, ATMC has specialized in natural support for depression, anxiety, and other undesirable symptoms, and has provided drug-free strategies to improve mental wellness. ATMC has also trained medical doctors in this approach, enabling their patients to experience relief using holistic mental health treatment, and without having to suffer the side effects and other liabilities of drug-based treatment. However, in all cases, an informed approach on the part of both doctors and patients is highly recommended.9,10
The main pillars of ATMC programs are built on orthomolecular (nutritional) medicine, cleansing the body’s accumulated burden of toxicity, and a wealth of psychological and physical adjunctive treatments to assist in safe and gentle medication withdrawal and recovery.
Program components at ATMC can include:
Chelative sauna therapy
Lab testing for toxins, deficiencies, allergies, imbalances, genetic factors, and more
Pros and Cons of Medication vs Natural Support for Depression
The following table is a brief summary that compares some of the most pertinent pros and cons for each treatment approach.
Approach
Pros
Cons
Medication
Fast symptom relief; useful in crisis
Side effects; dependency; not addressing root causes
Natural Support
Treats root causes; fewer side effects
May take longer; requires commitment
In contrast to drug-based therapy for depression, psychological counseling is a holistic treatment that has been carefully studied and found to be effective. CBT is a popular form of counseling that is offered at ATMC along with many other genres of personal counseling. CBT can be an effective tool in reorganizing lifestyle choices, gaining satisfaction in daily interactions, and removing barriers that are blocking the attainment of one’s life goals.11
Why are Antidepressants Reportedly Overprescribed?
One of the most often prescribed drugs here in the USA is antidepressants, namely the SSRI drugs. The question of overprescribing has come up in recent research. According to Safer’s 2019 paper published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, the statistics show that 85% of patients in the system-wide survey who were treated with antidepressants did not actually meet the criteria for their diagnosis.7
Another shocking statistic the author cites is that SSRI use doubled in the US adult population, comparing 1999 and 2011 usage, a mere 10-year period. The study also reports that more than half of those taking antidepressants had a relapse of their symptoms while on the drug, and as a result, many turned to additional antidepressants for relief. It is a vicious and repeating cycle of failure.
Another report from the 2024 World Journal of Psychiatry found that the supposed efficacy of antidepressant medication compared to placebo was inflated in earlier studies. Antidepressant drugs have a troubling history of ruinous side effects. These are the characteristics that often follow drug-based treatment and one may wish to avoid such problems altogether by using natural holistic treatment vs medication for depression.8
Thankfully, natural alternatives to antidepressants are coming into the medical spotlight.
ATMC Prioritizes Nutrition as Natural Support for Mental Health Treatment
Since drugs work “fast,” and doctors are forced to rush through as many patients per hour as possible, a quick prescription gets the patient out the door in as brief a time as possible. But we don’t feel this approach provides the best possible care. In many instances, a person may feel initial relief but over the longer term, symptoms can return, and new problems can emerge, making things worse instead of better.
We are heartened by the increasing focus on nutrition in the field of human health, including mental health. The gains and benefits of a clean, nutrient-dense diet that provides essential micro- and macro-nutrients are shared in both physical and mental domains. Guidelines are best when personalized, but some generally recognized examples are listed here.12-15
Basic guidelines recognized as natural support for depression and many other conditions include:
A diet that includes a wide range of vegetables and fruits, in raw/unprocessed form where possible
Omit sugars, refined carbs. foods that will spike and crash blood sugar
Salmon, trout & other seafoods for their high omega-3 content
Grass-fed beef, organic poultry, or other animal products
Nuts, seeds, legumes
Fermented foods for gut microbiome support
Avoid sugary drinks, energy drinks
Avoid processed food,s including meats and other animal products
Supplementation with vitamins and minerals
Each individual may have distinct nutritional needs that lab testing can reveal, and a diet plan can be designed to accommodate.
When Medication is Necessary
We acknowledge the advantages of drug-free mental health treatment, which we’ve witnessed for so many people. But ATMC is not anti-medication. We recognize that in some cases, a reduction in dosage may be all that is needed to satisfy the medical needs of the client. And in a crisis situation, medication vs natural treatment can be the immediate and safest option. Each client’s situation is unique, and we take great care to provide a tailored program that will obtain the desired outcome for each client, allowing for the highest quality of life possible. Once the crisis has passed, it may be opportune to consider safe, inpatient medication withdrawal to continue the healing journey. You may want to begin to explore natural alternatives to antidepressants and other holistic treatment options.
Medication vs Natural Support for Mental Health FAQs
Your choices for mental health strategies should be as unique as you are. However, learning more about some common questions we frequently get asked may help you.
Why choose organic foods?
Organic foods do not contain pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals that can negatively impact human biology.
Why is supporting gut microbiome health important?
The microbiome in the gut creates hormones and neurotransmitters necessary for healthy CNS and brain function.
Does ATMC offer out-patient help?
ATMC is an inpatient facility. We will help you find outpatient resources on request.
Will my medical insurance cover fees?
We accept most major private medical insurance, and we will be happy to assist with the process.
How long will my program last?
The length of your program will depend on your situation and may range from 1 to several months.
Why didn’t my doctor offer natural alternatives to psychiatric medication?
GPs do not specialize and are not trained in mental health. If your doctor was trained in a mainstream medical school, natural alternatives to psychiatric medications were not covered in the curriculum. In fact, psychiatric medications are not covered either, except perhaps a very short overview or lecture. Consider consulting with a naturopath for personalized help.
What are some natural alternatives to antidepressants found in foods?
Over 40 medicinal plants, including teas, have been identified as having neuroprotective and antidepressant effects.16,18 Many nutrients have antidepressant effects according to the World Journal of Psychiatry,17 including magnesium, potassium, iron, folate, long chain omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, B vitamins, vitamin A, C, D, and zinc. Research these, and add foods high in these nutrients, or supplements, to the daily diet.
Find Out More about ATMC’s Natural Support for Depression and Holistic Mental Health Treatment
We specialize in creating custom treatment plans that are based on testing and other assessments in coordination with your clinical team, which works with you daily. We are specialists in tailoring natural alternatives to psychiatric medication that will bring relief without the liabilities associated with medications.
For those wishing to come off their meds, we provide gentle withdrawal in a serene inpatient environment, safely accomplished with medical oversight. To assist with the discomfort that can often accompany drug withdrawal, a wide range of comfort therapies are at hand during our clients’ recovery journey. Chef-prepared meals and snacks are available and are both nutrient-dense and delicious. The facility is non-toxic, using natural cleaning products and providing the cleanest water and air found anywhere.
The center itself is located in a pristine location nestled at the foot of the majestic red rocks of Sedona, Arizona. This is a world-renowned area for healing, and that is full of enchanting photo opportunities, with access to outdoor hiking, mineral baths, spa services, swimming, exercise classes, and much more to explore and provide relaxation and enjoyment.
The level of holistic mental health treatment and care provided is superb, allowing for the uninterrupted healing process, and the support needed for full recovery is top-level. Our therapists and practitioners are highly skilled in their holistic treatment disciplines and are especially committed to your mental health and wellness.
We invite you to call or email us for more information, especially if you are considering options of medication vs natural treatment, and we will be happy to answer all your questions and provide any other information you would like to have for planning your recovery. We are here to assist you with natural support for depression or other troubling symptoms you may be suffering, and we will design a customized, gentle, effective treatment plan to take care of these things.
9. Farah WH, Alsawas M, Mainou M, Alahdab F, Farah MH, Ahmed AT, Mohamed EA, Almasri J, Gionfriddo MR, Castaneda-Guarderas A, Mohammed K, Wang Z, Asi N, Sawchuk CN, Williams MD, Prokop LJ, Murad MH, LeBlanc A. Non-pharmacological treatment of depression: a systematic review and evidence map. Evid Based Med. 2016 Dec;21(6):214-221. doi: 10.1136/ebmed-2016-110522. Epub 2016 Nov 11. PMID: 27836921. [cited 2025 May 22]
15. Muncke J, Touvier M, Trasande L, Scheringer M. Health impacts of exposure to synthetic chemicals in food. Nat Med. 2025 May;31(5):1431-1443. doi: 10.1038/s41591-025-03697-5. Epub 2025 May 16. PMID: 40379996. [cited 2025 May 22]
18. Klaus W. Lange, Yukiko Nakamura, Katharina M. Lange, Hui Zhao, Tea and depression, Food Science and Human Wellness, Volume 11, Issue 3,2022, Pages 476-482,ISSN 2213-4530,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fshw.2021.12.032.[cited 2025 May 22]
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.
Diane is an avid supporter and researcher of natural mental health strategies. Diane received her medical writing and science communication certification through Stanford University and has published over 3 million words on the topics of holistic health, addiction, recovery, and alternative medicine. She has proudly worked with the Alternative to Meds Center since its inception and is grateful for the opportunity to help the founding members develop this world-class center that has helped so many thousands regain natural mental health.
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.
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!
One of the most often prescribed drugs here in the USA is antidepressants, namely the SSRI drugs. The question of overprescribing has come up in recent research. According to Safer’s 2019 paper published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, the statistics show that 85% of patients in the system-wide survey who were treated with antidepressants did not actually meet the criteria for their diagnosis.7
For those wishing to come off their meds, we provide gentle withdrawal in a serene inpatient environment, safely accomplished with medical oversight. To assist with the discomfort that can often accompany drug withdrawal, a wide range of comfort therapies are at hand during our clients’ recovery journey. Chef-prepared meals and snacks are available and are both nutrient-dense and delicious. The facility is non-toxic, using natural cleaning products and providing the cleanest water and air found anywhere.
