Substance Use Disorder, or SUD, has been called many things over past decades and centuries. SUD as a medical term was born of a consensus using the most general terms possible, to describe the near limitless variations of personal loss of control, and sometimes horrific and even life-threatening experiences related to the assault of drugs & alcohol on human health.
Alternative to Meds Center (ATMC) recognizes each person has a unique history & neurochemical profile. Therefore, the approach to undoing these chains is best if precisely individualized. This has been our quest for the last nearly 20 years at ATMC, with great success.
We treat the person, not the label.
Alternative to Meds has accumulated decades of positive outcomes of our clients, and has published evidence that demonstrates our consistent successes. Our staff are dedicated and highly trained in the services that the center provides on a daily basis. We are proud of our world-class program designs, using evidence-based treatments that WORK!
15 Years Experience by Professionals Who Understand Your Journey.
Multiple Strategies to Treat Substance Use Disorder
In the not too distant past, treatment options for SUD were limited to pharmacological interventions, abstinence and perhaps AA or NA meetings and 12-step programs for support. It’s only in the recent past that the term “disorder” attached itself to the treatment of addiction or dependence. A parallel was drawn between addiction & the disease model of treatment, and the quest to find the right “medicine” was launched. Tragically, many cases of SUD only occurred after prescription drugs were introduced to mask the very symptoms which remain unaddressed. The drug treatment community is still learning about how drugs of all kinds adversely affect our biochemistry.
Today there are many exciting, new strategies that have found their place in the treatment zone for addiction and dependence and recovery from SUD and healing from the past assaults of drug & alcohol addiction and dependence. ATMC uses a vast number of holistic and medically monitored protocols for recovery.
Treatments for SUD, addiction, and dependence can include:
Medication-assisted interventions (see more details below)
Nutritional support informed by lab testing 12,14,15,18
Peer group support programs
Non-pharmacological interventions for underlying symptoms such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, by discovering and addressing their root causes 13,17,18
What is SUD? Defining Substance Use Disorder
Terms can be tricky to define. Different camps have attempted to answer “What is SUD?”.
One might also ask:
What are the symptoms of SUD?
Is it a disease, like something you can catch?
Is it incurable?
Can medicine fix it?
The APA textbooks used by psychologists describe SUD as a complex cluster of symptoms. Paralleling the disease-model, in addiction treatment, terms are borrowed like “symptoms” and “disorders”. But unlike typical diseases, medicine cannot provide a cure. There are physical, social and spiritual components that must be included in the healing process because excessive and even daily substance use can lead to addiction and dependence.
AMA texts used by the medical doctors of today use SUD, or substance use disorder, as a nonjudgmental term, officially mandating the replacement of other words like addiction, or addict or alcoholic- terms which are now declared to be racially or socially inappropriate.
The CDC defines SUD as a treatable chronic disease. Their 2023 survey reported 1 in 6 Americans experienced “an SUD” in that year, recommending medication as treatment to help with cravings and withdrawal. The CDC primarily subscribes to the “disease model” of addiction treatment.1-4
However, in the real world of simple observation, a drug used long enough can produce withdrawal symptoms when it is stopped. And whether called “addiction,” or “dependence,” or “a cluster of symptoms,” or a label such as SUD, such ongoing conditions can have disastrous consequences unless the means to safely stop using the drug are provided.
Our concentrated efforts at ATMC focus not on finding the correct label, or the correct medication to treat that label, but on discovering and relieving the things that are driving unchecked and destructive drug use. Our approach is to focus on holistic treatments. The label “SUD” becomes irrelevant in a holistic treatment context. What IS important, is understanding the causes of substance use disorder, addiction, and dependence and that can remove much confusion from the subject. And, these understandings can open the door to real healing.
There is no doubt that the some factions within the APA, the AMA, the FDA, and the drug industry appear to have formed something of a partnership, under the umbrella of SUD treatment.5 This relationship has fostered the approval of various medications within the disease model of addiction or SUD treatment.
In the lab, chemists can produce synthetic versions of opiates, or even a whole new chemical compound such as benzodiazepines that mimic, enhance, or inhibit hormonal & neurochemical actions and reactions in the human body. In this paradigm, any disorder including substance abuse disorder becomes a potential candidate for a chemical-based solution.
While the temporary use of certain drugs most certainly can assist in drug withdrawal, they also have addictive properties, and can develop undesirable side effects, especially if used long term. This greatly limits their practical usefulness.
In more mainstream rehab facilities, various prescription drugs have overshadowed drug-free treatment methods, not only to assist withdrawal, which is often necessary, but for long term treatment of substance use disorder.
Some of the drugs used as medicine to treat substance use disorders include:
Methadone, Suboxone, Buprenorphine to treat opioid addiction or opioid use disorder
Antabuse, baclofen, naltrexone, for alcohol addiction 20
Stimulants such as modafinil, bupropion, for cocaine & methamphetamine addiction 6
Bupropion (FDA approved use) for nicotine addiction 6
Other antidepressant meds (off-label) for nicotine addiction such as nortriptyline7
SSRIs for SUD 19
In contrast to this approach, ATMC uses drug-free alternatives wherever possible to aid and assist in SUD recovery. You can review these in our services overview section.
Basics in Treating Substance Use Disorder
In planning SUD treatment at ATMC, different classes of drugs require different approaches. Recovery after benzodiazepines and antipsychotics are some of the most frequently treated issues at ATMC.16.21 For specific drug classes, and detailed treatment protocols used at ATMC, you can review the following summaries:
Recreational drugs are frequently used to combat one of the most under-studied triggers of drug and alcohol use: BOREDOM. Habitual use to combat symptoms like boredom, depression, anxiety, and others, can then evolve into devastating problems like SUD.
Holistic-based treatments provide a pathway back to creating inner joy and wellness that can supersede the need for chronic symptom relief or artificial stimuli.22
Tyler’s success story demonstrates his personal transformation at ATMC.
Problematic Symptoms Can Lead to Substance Use Disorder
SUD often develops from an ongoing need to get rid of unwanted symptoms. A person suffering from insomnia may seek medication to get a decent nights sleep. Commonly the medication stops working and sleeplessness returns. A person experiencing debilitating depression or anxiety may be prescribed medications that work only temporarily, and in many cases, introduce new troubling symptoms, followed by multiple prescriptions in a never-ending cycle.
Substance Use Disorder FAQs
What is Substance Use Disorder (SUD)?
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a medical term used to describe a pattern of problematic substance use that leads to significant distress or impairment. It includes symptoms like cravings, loss of control, withdrawal, and continued use despite harmful consequences.
Is Substance Use Disorder the same as addiction or dependence?
Not exactly. While SUD, addiction, and dependence are often used interchangeably, the term “SUD” is considered more medically neutral. It encompasses both physical dependence and the psychological aspects of addiction.
How is SUD diagnosed?
SUD is diagnosed based on specific criteria outlined in the DSM-5, which include factors like impaired control over substance use, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological indicators such as tolerance and withdrawal.
Can SUD be treated without medication?
Yes. While medications are sometimes used for managing cravings or withdrawal, holistic and drug-free approaches, like those used at ATMC, can also be highly effective. These methods may include nutritional therapy, detox support, psychological counseling, and neurotransmitter rehabilitation.
What is the difference between holistic treatment and traditional rehab for SUD?
Traditional rehab often relies heavily on medication and 12-step programs. Holistic treatment, like that offered at ATMC, addresses the root causes of substance use and incorporates mind-body healing techniques, including nutrition, lab testing, detox, and personalized care plans.
What causes Substance Use Disorder?
SUD can develop from a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. It often begins with an attempt to manage symptoms like anxiety, depression, or insomnia, and evolves into a more serious condition when underlying issues remain unaddressed.
What are the long-term effects of untreated SUD?
Untreated SUD can lead to serious physical health problems, mental health deterioration, damaged relationships, legal issues, and even death. Early intervention and comprehensive care are critical for recovery.
How is ATMC's approach different from other treatment centers?
ATMC focuses on personalized, holistic care without defaulting to pharmaceutical solutions. They conduct extensive testing, tailor treatment to each individual’s biochemistry, and offer natural support for symptoms like depression, anxiety, or insomnia that often lead to substance use.
Is SUD curable or just manageable?
While SUD is often referred to as a chronic condition, many individuals achieve long-term recovery through tailored treatment and lifestyle changes. The goal at ATMC is to go beyond symptom management and focus on sustainable healing and transformation.
While SUD is often referred to as a chronic condition, many individuals achieve long-term recovery through tailored treatment and lifestyle changes. The goal at ATMC is to go beyond symptom management and focus on sustainable healing and transformation.
ATMC Provides Highly Personalized Care & Holistic Treatment for SUD in Sedona
By investigating possible causes and contributors to these and other symptoms, we can begin to unravel the puzzle, and provide solutions that don’t rely on prescription medication for relief, and don’t further compromise a person’s health and well-being.
Your personal health history is unique to you … your SUD treatment plan also should be. Lab testing and other assessments are used in designing the program steps that will best help your recovery. We invite you to review the information on the website for a more detailed description of the many protocols used at the center in SUD recovery.
For further information about our approach to holistic treatment for SUD, addiction and dependence, please do not hesitate to reach out to us any time. We are here to help you or your loved one in your decision making process.
10. Russell JT, Zhou Y, Weinstock GM, Bubier JA. The Gut Microbiome and Substance Use Disorder. Front Neurosci. 2021 Aug 31;15:725500. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2021.725500. PMID: 34531718; PMCID: PMC8439419. [cited 2025 May 9]
14. Brown JS Jr. Psychiatric issues in toxic exposures. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2007 Dec;30(4):837-54. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2007.07.004. PMID: 17938048. [cited 2025 May 9]
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!
Medication-assisted interventions (see more details below)
AMA texts used by the medical doctors of today use SUD, or substance use disorder, as a nonjudgmental term, officially mandating the replacement of other words like addiction, or addict or alcoholic- terms which are now declared to be racially or socially inappropriate.
There is no doubt that the some factions within the APA, the AMA, the FDA, and the drug industry appear to have formed something of a partnership, under the umbrella of SUD treatment.5 This relationship has fostered the approval of various medications within the disease model of addiction or SUD treatment.
By investigating possible causes and contributors to these and other symptoms, we can begin to unravel the puzzle, and provide solutions that don’t rely on prescription medication for relief, and don’t further compromise a person’s health and well-being.
