We want to share the many better solutions to unwanted symptoms that we make available at Alternative to Meds Center — that don’t burden a person with developing SSRI addiction or dependence.
We understand the difficulties of trying to quit a medication, while also suffering from unresolved mental health symptoms — it’s a lot to bear on your own. We’ve been there too, and we can help.
Don’t despair — there is light
at the end of the tunnel!
Alternative to Meds has been operating for over 17 years now, and in that time has published evidence demonstrating what works so well for our clients. We have the expertise, and the compassion and understanding that was perhaps missing in earlier treatments that may have left you disappointed, and still suffering. Find out how we’re different in our approach, and learn more about the benefits of science-based holistic treatment.
15 Years Experience by Professionals Who Understand Your Journey.
How Does Alternative to Meds Center Treat SSRI Addiction and Dependence?
Our treatment program for people experiencing SSRI addiction and dependence, provides comfortable transitioning to drug-free life, and reduction or elimination of symptoms without relying on prescription drugs.
Alternative to Meds Center is not focused on finding the right label or the right drug. Our approach to recovery is based on orthomolecular and scientific principles. We work on restoring the gut microbiome, and offer the benefits of cleaning the body of harmful accumulated neurotoxins. When gradual and gentle drug withdrawal is managed within such a template, the results are predictably excellent.
Lab testing is used extensively to get a snapshot of many important points that may need addressing, such as genetic markers, health of the blood, toxic elements that need to be removed, nutritional gaps, and other factors that are key to natural mental health. A wide range of comfort therapies are also available, as well as psychological support and counseling.
What Causes Depression?
There are many known causes of depressive symptoms, and there are treatments for these root causes without resorting to prescription drugs. In fact, the Australian Prescriber Journal cautioned in 2021 that many people who visit their doctor for depressive symptoms do not require drugs at all.12
While SSRIs are theorized to target serotonin, and this was the basis for using the drug to treat depression, new clinical research questions the validity of this theory.6-8
Unfortunately, not all doctors are trained to investigate or recognize contributing factors but are encouraged to prescribe as many drugs as possible.
Poor sleep hygiene, lousy diet, stress in the work environment or personal and social relationships, lack of exercise, past trauma, and an unfulfilling lifestyle are all potential areas to assess, and NONE of these will be fixed by an SSRI medication.9,10
How Common is SSRI Addiction and Dependence?
Drug treatment for depression is notorious for its failure rate. This is not a minor problem given the sheer volume of SSRIs that are prescribed each year. Commonly, the first antidepressant tried may not work, so another is prescribed, and the process can repeat many times over an extended time. The numbers are jaw dropping, with millions of individuals diagnosed as clinically depressed each year, and prescriptions continuing on for months and years.
But then to try and get off of these medications often entails experiencing serious and intolerable withdrawal symptoms. The longer one takes them, and the higher the dosage, the more likely that dependence and SSRI addiction will occur. There are few published clinical trials on SSRI addiction, dependence and withdrawal phenomena, but the ones that do exist should be noted well because the symptoms can be unbearably harsh. Often these are misdiagnosed as relapse, causing another potential cascade of poor outcomes.13,15,16
The FDA label on SSRIs does not acknowledge any problems associated with SSRI dependence or addiction. One example, is Prozac’s label which advises that the medication “hasn’t been studied systematically, in humans or animals, for its possibility of tolerance, abuse or physical dependence.”11 Given the high rate of withdrawal problems that occur during discontinuation, it may be prudent for the FDA to change medication labeling to more precisely reflect the potential for SSRI addiction, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms.1-5
People are usually prescribed SSRIs prior to any investigative efforts as to what is at the root of their depression. Many people begin taking these antidepressants during an emotionally difficult time, but years later they continue to take them and struggle with addiction to SSRIs and withdrawal reactions trying to get off them.
The Importance of Gradual SSRI Withdrawal
Gradual cessation is key to successfully stopping SSRI medications. Once SSRI addiction or dependence has developed, the body needs to be gently transitioned to rebuilding the natural hormones and neurotransmitters that drug therapy has interrupted.
By supplying the raw materials that the body uses to produce neurotransmitters, the drug can be incrementally reduced without inflicting injurious or harsh reactions. This is a strategy you can read more about in holistic detox at Alternative to Meds Center.
Combining strategies such as gradual withdrawal, nutritional support, comfort therapies, neurotoxin removal, and many others, our clients appreciate as comfortable an experience as possible.
Find Out More About the Alternative to Meds Program for SSRI Addiction & Dependence Recovery
Our rehab center has an exceptional medical team, supported by holistic-minded therapists that are dedicated to helping individuals reduce their dependencies upon psychiatric medications. This is accomplished through the use of careful tapering methods, neurochemistry stabilization with natural substances, providing biochemical correction to reduce cravings, and removing neurotoxins which may have added to symptoms or feelings that led to being medicated or using drugs in the first place. Orthomolecular medicine informs correcting the gut, and replenishing nutritional deficiencies that may need correcting. This combined with taking the time to discover and resolve the underlying reasons why an individual was originally depressed, or why they started taking drugs, offers long-lasting success. The goal is natural, authentic mental wellness.
7. (abstract) Moncrieff J, Cooper RE, Stockmann T, Amendola S, Hengartner MP, Horowitz MA. The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence. Mol Psychiatry. 2023 Aug;28(8):3243-3256. doi: 10.1038/s41380-022-01661-0. Epub 2022 Jul 20. PMID: 35854107; PMCID: PMC10618090. [cited 2024 July 2]
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 2024 June 28]
12. Boyce P, Ma C. Choosing an antidepressant. Aust Prescr. 2021 Feb;44(1):12-15. doi: 10.18773/austprescr.2020.064. Epub 2021 Feb 1. PMID: 33664544; PMCID: PMC7900278. [cited 2024 July 2]
13. Wolfe RM. Antidepressant withdrawal reactions. Am Fam Physician. 1997 Aug;56(2):455-62. Erratum in: Am Fam Physician 1998 Feb 15;57(4):646. PMID: 9262526. [cited 2024 July 2]
16. Collins HM, Gullino LS, Ozdemir D, Lazarenco C, Sudarikova Y, Daly E, Pilar Cuéllar F, Pinacho R, Bannerman DM, Sharp T. Rebound activation of 5-HT neurons following SSRI discontinuation. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2024 Apr 12. doi: 10.1038/s41386-024-01857-8. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38609530.[cited 2024 July 2]
Originally Published by Diane Ridaeus Published Nov 4, 2019
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!
There are many known causes of depressive symptoms, and there are treatments for these root causes without resorting to prescription drugs. In fact, the Australian Prescriber Journal cautioned in 2021 that many people who visit their doctor for depressive symptoms do not require drugs at all.12
But then to try and get off of these medications often entails experiencing serious and intolerable withdrawal symptoms. The longer one takes them, and the higher the dosage, the more likely that dependence and SSRI addiction will occur. There are few published clinical trials on SSRI addiction, dependence and withdrawal phenomena, but the ones that do exist should be noted well because the symptoms can be unbearably harsh. Often these are misdiagnosed as relapse, causing another potential cascade of poor outcomes.13,15,16
Our rehab center has an exceptional medical team, supported by holistic-minded therapists that are dedicated to helping individuals reduce their dependencies upon psychiatric medications. This is accomplished through the use of careful 
