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Alternative Mental Health Philosophy

Fact Checked
Alternative to Meds Editorial Team
Written by Lyle Murphy

We believe that by and large, people are over-medicated and assigned a mental diagnosis that conveys a belief that something is permanently wrong with them. To our mind, there is a lot more involved in mental health and addiction treatment.

It’s become apparent that medical issues, hormonal factors, nutritional choices, genetics and psychosocial dynamics are majority components in one’s mental health.

Our Mental Health Philosophy and Treatment Approach

After decades of clinical review in human behaviors, science, and the challenges still evident in personal health and the way people handle pain in the physical, emotional and spiritual realms, we realized that the ability to authentically heal requires both holistic and integrative methodologies.

Our program focuses on restoring balance to brain chemistry using natural methods, reducing symptoms, the need for medication dependency and other harmful substances. We do this by individual assessment, focusing on every aspect of our clients’ needs, and utilizing the best available treatments providing the most benefit for each person.

Discovering WHY

There’s a reason you’re here, seeking knowledge on the best way to break free from medication use. We applaud your desire to feel good, naturally.

Although prescription drugs do have a role in health care, their side effects and risk for dependency or addiction make them less than ideal as a long term solution. You might already know this first hand.

Many of ATMC methods have been scientifically proven to work. We draw from the proven fields of environmental medicine, naturopathy, psychology and more. Through this unique collective approach, we have found that many mood disorders and other imbalances are the result of improper nutrition, toxic overload, mutated genes or damaged enzymes – seldom dealt with at other recovery centers. We know you deserve a fresh perspective for better quality of life.

Through careful, monitored medication tapering, counseling and extensive options in alternative therapies, exercise, mindfulness practices, nutrient-rich diet and more, rediscovering your whole self is a welcome experience.

It begins with a detailed biochemical examination of where you’re at today, the basis in creating a personalized treatment program. Because only direct physiological treatment will effectively identify the why of drug or alcohol cravings. Read more about our lab assessment process.

Holistic Treatment

At Alternative to Meds Center, we have validated Holistic Mental Health Treatment through evidence-based studies.

“To our mind, there is a lot more involved in mental health and addiction treatment than medicating symptoms.”

Physical and mental illnesses are often symptoms of larger imbalances that, in reality, have little to do with a medication deficiency. The term holistic healing addresses all aspects of a person including the body, mind and spirit, with goals that go beyond medicating or masking symptoms.

Symptoms are generally the body crying out for help, and rather than listening to what is being missed, conventional drugging of symptoms alienates us even further. There is a relationship with ourselves and our own physiology that needs to be discovered and nurtured, rather than forgotten believing that a drug is going to create this relationship for us.

It begins by taking personal accountability and having less dependency on medications that can compromise mental health. In fact, we aim to help you remove the dependency on pain and psychiatric medications for good.

True Holistic Healing

Our ENTIRE program is top notch holistic, not just a few add-on parts.

From the positive philosophies we impart to the science-level food programs, supplements, and guidance we provide that helps each person figure out their unique situation.

This Includes:

  • Heavy metal chelation
  • Colonics
  • Neurotoxin Removal
  • Massage
  • Ionic foot baths
  • Counseling
  • Lab Tests
  • Nebulized Glutathione
  • Qigong
  • Yoga
  • Equine Therapy
  • Energy medicine including Reiki

Through a deep personal assessment of your health, we uncover other underlying issues that may have been precursors to drug dependency but may also hamper the ability to come clean. With an individualized treatment plan, using a variety of these methodologies that not only support healthy living but can be easily continued throughout your life, chemical codependency can be a part of your past.

Medication Withdrawal

One of the main goals people come to us for is medication reduction, and where possible, elimination of psychiatric and pain medication.

To do this, we support the person with a unique combination of supplementation, organic diets, dedicated and personalized care management, investigative research into medical contributors, Chinese medicine, appropriate licensed counseling, AND an entire cacophony of holistic modalities including, with a specific educational track so that you can understand these therapies and how to take them home for use in your life.

We provide lab testing and additional investigative processes to rule out and uncover the root of symptoms. Some of the labs that residents receive include testing for vitamin and mineral levels, and metabolic testing for appropriate personalization of diet. The results of these tests give us information about specific causes of addiction and mental health issues. We are then able to work up an individualized withdrawal treatment plan that corrects the underlying issues, resulting in substantial relief or complete absence of symptoms.

Read Our Evidence-Based Philosophy

Evidence-Based Treatment Methods

At ATMC, we use evidence-based treatment methods, though our scientific protocols represent an important part of a whole, comprehensive philosophy.

We use diagnostic tests to ascertain which treatment protocols will work best for the individual while taking into careful consideration each person’s unique state of health, diagnosis, personal preferences, characteristics, and values.

Science and technology provide the answers, but how we apply them to each client must ebb and flow with personal changes in everyday life and exposure to stress.

The goal of our evidence-based approach is to eliminate unsound, ineffective or potentially risky treatment methods in favor of those that have consistently shown to provide better, more reliable, and safer outcomes. Success is evident in the lasting recovery of our clients, revealed in this 2018 Outcome Study.


PERFORMANCE SUMMARY RESEARCH REPORT

External Evaluation Report & Analysis Provided By:
Dr. Michael W. Corrigan
Associate Professor, Marshall University
December 10, 2018

This report is based on analysis of longitudinal data collected by the staff at the Alternative to Meds Center (ATMC). The data file consisted of information collected during a client’s care at ATMC, as well as follow up survey data. Post-test surveys seeking to document the extended effectiveness of ATMC treatment efforts were sent to approximately 300 clients who met the parameters of completing the treatment program and being out of care for more than six months. A total of 103 clients responded, equating to a 34% response rate (more than twice that of typical industry standards for survey response rates). After an extensive review of the data set and ATMC’s efforts, the research questions to follow were developed in collaboration with the external evaluator and ATMC staff. This research summary documents statistically significant evidence supportive of the admirable goals ATMC seeks to accomplish for their clients, as well as identifies information for continuous improvement efforts to better serve future clients.

View Case Study in PDF

Research Question 1 (RQ1): Is treatment at ATMC effective in helping clients?

The answer is a definitive yes. And the following research questions are designed to answer in which specific ways ATMC is effective in helping clients.

RQ1a: What percentage of ATMC graduates/clients succeed in staying med free for more than six months after their residential treatment period (by pharmaceutical category)?

✓ Research documents ATMC’s success rate, for helping clients become and stay med free, to be as high as 87.5%.

Results suggest that ATMC is experiencing great accomplishment when it comes to the success rate of helping clients discontinue the use of pharmaceuticals and remain med free for extended periods of time; ranging from six to forty-seven months.

RQ1b: Is the reduction in medication use after ATMC treatment statistically significant?

✓ Yes. With a confidence interval of 99.9%, research documents that ATMC’s holistic treatment process can reduce with statistical significance a client’s dependency on pharmaceuticals, if not eliminate use entirely.

✓ A paired sample t-test identified statistically significant decreases in the number of medications being used from intake (M = 1.66, SD = 1.17) to discharge from ATMC (M = .63, SD = .86), t(94) = 9.43, p < .001.

✓ A paired sample t-test also identified statistically significant decreases in the number of medications being used from intake (M = 1.66, SD = 1.17) to post-test assessments gathered six to 47 months after leaving treatment (M =.63, SD = .88), t(79) = 6.33, p < .001.

Clients entering ATMC with varying degrees of pharmaceutical drug dependency reported a range of one to four categories of drugs being used inclusive mainly of benzos, antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and various other pharmaceuticals (M = 1.66, SD = 1.17). At the time of discharge from ATMC, though some clients due to safety efforts encompassing drug tapering plans were still on up to four medications, the mean number of pharmaceutical drugs reported being used dropped to .63 (SD = .86). And after being away from ATMC for six months to four years, respondents reported a mean usage of .63 (less than one drug) (SD = .88). A total of 59.8% of respondents reported not taking any medications at the time of the post-test assessment. Please note, however, 20.7% reported being on one pharmaceutical medication at post-test, as well as 15.9% reporting the use of two medications and 3.7% reporting the use of three medications. Please note that medications being used at the time of post-test were identified in the vast majority of cases to be respectively less dangerous and addictive medications as well as taken in lower dosages than what clients entered ATMC being dependent upon.

RQ1c: Does the ATMC treatment process have evidence of being long-lasting?

✓ Yes. For the large percentage of clients who are able to dramatically reduce or end their pharmaceutical dependency during the ATMC treatment process, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) performed documents that the results are long-lasting.

✓ Trending data also suggests that the more time away equates to continued reduction in pharmaceutical medication use.


To explore if the number of weeks away from ATMC after treatment had an impact on effectiveness to reduce pharmaceutical drug use, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed. Results documented there were no statistically significant differences between clients grouped by six to 12 months, 13 to 24 months or more than 25 months, F (2, 77) = 1.28, p = .28. Considering this analysis shows no significant differences between clients six months to four years after treatment and a trend showing consistent further reduction in medication use as time has passed, the effectiveness of ATMC’s efforts show evidence of being long-lasting.

RQ1d: How does the success of ATMC treatment efforts relate to life satisfaction variables after treatment at the center?

✓ For 83.5% of clients, the improved symptom levels experienced before
graduating from ATMC have continued for six months to four years.

✓ 76.6% of ATMC clients report experiencing positive social relationships and
interactions in life after graduating.

✓ 71.4% of ATMC clients report having a fulfilling family life after graduating.

✓ 68.7% of ATMC clients report having fulfilling friendships after graduating.

✓ 77.5% of ATMC clients report having positive support systems after graduating.

RQ1e: Do clients experience quality sleep after their care at ATMC?

✓ More than 76% of ATMC graduates report experiencing quality sleep patterns continuing six months to four years after residential care.


RQ1f: What is the overall satisfaction level with ATMC services?

✓ On a scale of 1 (very dissatisfied) to 10 (most satisfied), clients reported a median score of 8; with the most frequent answer being a 10 out of 10.

End of Study


Defining the Right Evidence-Based Treatment for You

Strategic by design and logic.

There is nothing that gives us greater purpose than to provide the best type of treatment available to meet a person’s chemistry and deficiencies; reset them, and restore being into beautiful balance. We do this by implementing evidence-based treatments that complement other methodologies including holistic, integrative, individualized, and more. Though different, they coincide with one another to identify the pieces of each client’s personal health puzzle. From there, we construct a course of action focusing on reaching a collective end goal: seeing you or your loved one living free from mental anguish and chemical dependency.

Medicine is a practice that gets better through consistent study, utilization, and open interpretation.

Many clients come through our doors for an inpatient stay to remove dependency on prescribed medications, initially given as the means to address mental, physical, or behavioral health conditions. Whether it is benzodiazepines to treat anxiety disorders, or gabapentin to ease recurring symptoms of drug addiction, for example, the use of chemicals to achieve and sustain true health is a false pretense.

Consider your current state of health or the one you’re concerned about. Research shows that the longer an individual is on a medication, illegal drug, or heavy alcohol consumption, the likelihood of abusing other substances or adding more medications increases. As the body continues to experience inflammation and stress, natural systemic function is more difficult. Toxic exposures from medication, drugs, alcohol, environment and more, further compromise our ability to maintain healthy balance in mind, body and spirit.

While many well intended physicians prescribe medications to treat a variety of illness and disease, it all too often is a short-term approach searching for a long term solution that seldom comes to be. Evidence-based methods provide proven testimony to treatments.

Here’s how they work.

Evidence-Based Treatment Adds Simplicity to Personal Complexity

We continue to find that many mysteries in medicine can be unraveled by clear communication between clinician and client. What may be unimportant to a resident may be the breakthrough to a staff member. It takes conversation, research and a tenacious commitment to uncovering the truth.

In fact, evidence-based treatment is a blend of substantiated scientific findings, clinical opinion and client preference in care that converge in a recovery plan, individualized. And because each person is different biochemically, neurologically, psychologically and more, utilizing a broad scope approach with evidence-based treatments as a foundation provides more answers for more people.

Discovering the Difference in You

Diagnostics tell a personal story.

While in our care, each resident undergoes extensive laboratory testing. The purpose of this testing is to assess, investigate, and create solutions. We believe in order to truly help a person, we must first understand them. The series of diagnostic testing residents go through here at Alternative to Meds Center helps us more clearly understand the root of their symptoms.

Diagnostics extend well beyond lab testing and include looking into a person’s brain chemistry, exposure to environmental toxins, habits, experiences, as well as psychological assessments. All of this is done to ensure we are delivering the absolute best kind of recovery plan for that unique person’s situation, with the backdrop of evidence-based treatments.

LEARN ABOUT LAB TESTING

Benefits of Baseline Testing

This lab is drawn within the first 24 hours of intake, giving us a baseline view of overall health, measuring more than 30 aspects, to include cholesterol, kidney and liver function, and glucose levels. We will know if you are fighting any infections, have any obvious deficiencies, or any other health related issues.

Our doctors and nurses analyze these tests to determine an initial course of treatment for you. These tests can help them determine how to create your initial treatment plan of nutrition, supplementation, and medication. If needed, we will repeat this test at a later point in the program to test the effectiveness of the treatments prescribed and advise on any adjustments needed.

Benefits of Neurotransmitter Testing

The neurotransmitter testing can take place at any time during the treatment process. It helps to determine the levels of neurochemicals being utilized in the nervous system by measuring the metabolites of those chemicals. It addition, it measures amino acids—the building blocks of neurotransmitters.

Our medical team evaluates the results to help assess the root causes of a person’s symptoms, what supplements and medications will work best, and determine the best course of treatment for the individual.

Benefits of Toxic Metals and Essential Elements Testing

Within the first 7 to 10 days of residency here, we administer the essential element and toxic mineral test to measure the levels of toxic heavy metals, like mercury, as well as essential minerals, such as selenium, in our clients. This helps to determine the amount of heavy metals being stored in the cells.

This test can be helpful in finding some of the root causes of mental health symptoms. For example, high levels of mercury have been linked to symptoms of anxiety and insomnia. If we can identify a high level of toxic metals in an individual and link it to their symptoms, we can then create a treatment plan that will aggressively remove the toxic body burden and help to restore balance to their nervous system.

Identifying mineral and nutrient deficiencies can be as helpful as finding levels of toxic substances. Mineral and nutrient deficiencies have been linked to mood disturbances and a variety of other symptoms. With the correct information, our team can address a person’s deficiencies and be able to give that individual what they really need to start to feel better.

“Science is beautiful when it makes simple explanations of phenomena or connections between different observations.” ~ Stephen Hawking

Integrative Treatment

What does integrative treatment mean to Alternative to Meds Center? To us, an integrative approach means we are utilizing the best available treatment methods that will be the most effective for the unique needs of the individual. This greatly enhances our ability to promote and support whole healing as we are not limited to a single methodology.

People are not one-size-fits-all in any capacity. We are complex by nature. Our approach towards attaining a healthy balance should focus on the details. This is why here at ATMC we use integrative treatments for mental health, medication tapering, and addiction recovery.

Successfully treating the mental, emotional and physical needs of an individual can’t be duplicated to fulfill the specific requirements of others. Patients and their families deserve better. They find it here at Alternative to Meds Center.

Utilizing a wide variety of approaches to support real healing fortifies lasting recovery.

Our integrative philosophy considers the whole person, constructing comprehensive treatment programs unlike anywhere else.

We focus on the therapeutic relationship between the treatment team and the individual’s personal history and lifestyle, using evidence-based methods to determine the best clinical, neurological, and holistic therapies.

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Integrative Treatment Benefits

Much like an investigator canvasses each aspect of a person’s life to uncover hidden clues to find the answers sought after, ATMC clinicians, researchers, and holistic therapists engage in the same manner. An integrative approach means that we provide a treatment program that provides the best of allopathic and alternative treatment modalities.

Every vantage point of treatment is examined to orchestrate solutions not readily visible before using:

Environmental Medicine:  ATMC’s Approach

What we have found is that as our bodies accumulate toxins from our environment, these toxins can impair and negatively affect our body’s ability to function optimally, which can affect both our physical and mental health.

Here at ATMC, environmental medicine is the approach that we use to remove toxins and cleanse the body. We use evidence-based techniques, such as chelation, to pull toxins from the body in an effort to restore balance and optimal health to the individual. Infrared saunas are also used to facilitate the detoxification process to help expedite the process of releasing toxins.

Our clients are simultaneously educated as to the toxins common in the environment, food, household products, and personal care products by our staff and instructors so that they can learn to detoxify all aspects of their life moving forward.

Orthomolecular Medicine:  ATMC’s Approach

The term orthomolecular was coined by Nobel-prize winning biologist Linus Pauling in 1968.

Orthomolecular medicine describes the practice of preventing and treating disease by providing the body with optimal amounts of substances which are natural to the body.

ATMC uses high doses of supplements, such as amino acids, minerals, and vitamins to treat symptoms, deficiencies, and imbalances in the body. Restoring balance and correcting underlying causes is accomplished by using substances familiar to the body including minerals, vitamins, trace elements, fatty acids and amino acids.

Each resident has a specialized supplement protocol designed by our naturopathic doctor that addresses their unique biochemistry. The protocol is evaluated and adjusted throughout their stay based on their responses and other factors, and is tailored based on their unique genetic profile as well as deficiencies found based on lab testing.

Biochemical pathways in the body (the chemical chain reaction of enzymes and other factors) are of interest in studies of illnesses such as cancer, schizophrenia, atherosclerosis, and even depression; it has been shown that specific biochemical abnormalities can be isolated as contributing or causal factors of illness.

At Alternative to Meds Center, orthomolecular medicine is a founding principle of our program. We deliver personalized nutrient, mineral, amino acid and supplement therapies based on the results of lab tests and medical assessments.

Traditional Chinese Medicine:  How We Do it

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient form of medicine that has been in use for thousands of years. Traditionally, it involves the use of herbs, movement, and acupuncture to treat health conditions. At ATMC, we utilize various aspects of TCM to improve the chances of our residents’ success. Specifically, we have a licensed acupuncturist on staff who provides group acupuncture sessions two times per week. We also provide Qigong and mindful movement classes as part of our program.

integrative treatment acupunctureAcupuncture is an ancient modality that has been in practice for over 2500 years. It involves the use of needles to stimulate certain points on the body to balance the flow of “chi” along the meridians and help optimize the functionality of one’s organs. Acupuncture has been used for a variety of different health issues including pain management, depression, anxiety, digestive, and to treat neurological issues such as Parkinson’s disease. Studies show that acupuncture can be used successfully to treat depression, anxiety and stress, when used in conjunction with other methods.

qigongQigong is a form of mindful movement that encourages healing on many different levels. Qigong means creating energy, and is a system of health maintenance that results in increased vitality and healing. Qigong has been found to increase digestive, lymphatic, circulatory, respiratory, and cardiovascular functions. Those who regularly practice Qigong find that it helps them regain youthful vitality, recover from illness faster and maintain health. Western medicine has confirmed that Qigong decreases hypertension. One of the most important effects of Qigong is the reestablishment of the mind/body/soul connection. At Alternative to Meds Center, we have found that reconnecting with your body, mind, and soul is greatly helpful in overcoming mental health symptoms, substance abuse, and other problems.

Mindfulness

At ATMC, we consider all aspects of health including the mind, body, and soul. The mind-body connection is an important aspect of one’s health that we believe is important to address on one’s path back to wellness. For this reason, various aspects of our program focus on the concept of mindfulness.

Mindfulness involves the moment-to-moment awareness of one’s thoughts, feelings, words, bodily sensations, and the environment. Another important aspect of mindfulness is being aware of these things while practicing non-judgment, i.e., observing ourselves as would an impartial observer. Mindfulness can be practiced in two ways in one’s life: through a meditation practice, and by implementing it in everyday life. In this way, one’s entire life can become a mindfulness practice — from washing the dishes to going on a walk.

Mindfulness is incorporated in our educational program from several of our instructors from our psychotherapists, to our program director, to our integrative psychiatrist, to our care providers. For instance, at ATMC, we provide several meditation classes weekly. We also provide mindful movement classes, including yoga and Qigong. In addition, residents are trained in HeartMath, learning how to synchronize the heart and the brain to better manage stress and optimize mental performance. From every level, mindfulness is woven into our educational program. From our psychiatrist teaching breathwork to our psychotherapists teaching meditation classes, we will help you to learn how to incorporate mindfulness in a way that works for you.

Mindfulness has been found to have many health benefits. Research demonstrates that mindfulness reduces stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions. In fact, mindfulness has been shown to reduce the brain’s amygdala, which is the center for “fight of flight” in the brain and involved in the initial response to stress in the body. Moreover, clinical trials have shown that mindfulness is as effective as medication for treating depression without the side effects.

Mindfulness has a number of other benefits including:

  • Reducing insomnia
  • Being effective for pain management
  • Improving memory and increasing attention and focus
  • improving one’s overall health and boosting immunity
  • Reducing compulsive and addictive tendencies
  • Helping with weight loss
  • Improving relationships by improving social and emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion
  • And having been found to be the most important factor in determining if someone will be happy in their life (once basic survival needs are met)

For these reasons, mindfulness is an important aspect of the treatment philosophy at ATMC.

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a primary health care profession which emphasizes prevention, optimal health, and treatment utilizing therapeutic methods and medicines that promote the inherent self-healing process of an individual. Naturopathic medicine can be used to diagnose, treat and manage both acute and chronic conditions, addressing dysfunction and disease through the body, mind, and spirit. It utilizes laboratory and genetic testing to tailor programs to the unique needs of an individual.

The main goal in naturopathic psychiatry is to establish what the underlying factors are that might have predisposed our residents to develop a mental health condition. Genetics, nutrient deficiency, environmental and toxic exposures are all taken into consideration. Meticulous assessment of these possible factors, including lab testing, physical evaluation, and a detailed history allows for personalized treatment to address underlying problems. Another objective of naturopathy is to enhance the client’s quality of life. With individuals who are on traditional medications, we work to decrease or eradicate the adverse effects of these drugs.

We also educate our residents about lifestyle and diet to enhance their health, motivating them to become active in their care. We work to discover why illness is occurring and correct the underlying causes.

Our Integrative Treatments Also Include Clinical and Holistic Therapies

Our integrative approach incorporates many clinical and adjunctive holistic therapies. Our program utilizes many different therapies including various forms of psychotherapy, equine therapy, as well as many modalities from the alternative realm. Psychotherapy, the sauna, and chelative therapies are a cornerstone of our program. However, while here, clients can also benefit from a variety of different adjunctive modalities offered by our skilled practitioners. A list of some of the modalities we offer can be found below.

Our Clinical Therapies:

integrative treatment at atmc

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Trauma Therapy
  • Substance Abuse Counseling
  • Positive Psychology
  • Equine Therapy
  • Compassion-Based Therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Radical Acceptance
  • Play Therapy
  • Art Therapy

Holistic Treatment Modalities:

Holistic treatment modalities include but are not limited to:

To us, an integrative approach means that we are making use of every available therapy in what works best for each patient. This expands our ability to promote and support whole healing as we are not limited to a single methodology.

Individualized Integrative Treatment for Medication Dependence

The beauty of having an individualized, integrative treatment system in place is in the vast amount of resources it provides. Our residents go through their initial assessment and into subsequent aspects of treatment. As their health shows signs of recovery, we can make adjustments to any of the four schools of medicine, maximizing efficiency and patient comfort.

Environmental medicine engages the detox and cleansing of the body and the brain, while revealing prior exposure to unhealthy substances. Once areas of ill-health have been identified, we put together a regimen based on orthomolecular medicine, adding the right kinds of nutrition and supplements to treat current conditions and as a form of preventative medicine. Because humans are made up of energy, we use 2,000-year-old Traditional Chinese Medicine to remove negative energy and blocks, harness positive energy, and ensure there is a seamless flow of healing.

Some of the many practices include acupuncture, use of herbs, and specialized assessment techniques. Blending eastern and western medicines, our naturopathic doctor attends to the needs of every patient throughout their stay with focus on helping them achieve better clarity and balance in mind, body and spirit.

Discover How Drugs Deceive

Individualized Treatment

People Change.

The right recovery program should be just as fluid, adapting to each person today, and for every tomorrow.

Identifying the personal needs of each patient is a necessary part of an integrative approach to wellness, but it isn’t enough. For those seeking a life without a dependence on medications, individualized treatment is the method and the means to get there.

Every person is a tapestry of chemistry, intuition, and experiences that create self. We take each element and enhance the areas that elevate overall consciousness.

Utilizing breakthrough science-based findings, together, we formulate a treatment program that brings every aspect of a person’s being into question.

This is where the answers to better health reside.

Celebrating the One Original You

Individualized treatment sets us apart.

We believe each person is unique and their treatment should reflect that. Industry-leading diagnostics help us discover the root cause of what’s truly ailing you, enabling a more seamless approach to generating and refining exacting treatment needs.

Whole health for the individual is achieved when positivity in the now surpasses negativity of the past.

Our individualized treatment care is beyond expectation.

Comprehensive Lab Work

ATMC provides a comprehensive set of lab testing for each client. Lab testing includes basic lab panels and organic acids testing. These provide extensive information as to what is going on with the individual’s neurochemistry, toxic load, and various factors such as vitamin D levels, complete metabolic functioning, and thyroid testing. Our lab testing enables our medical team to custom-tailor our protocol based on an individual’s unique situation. For instance, our naturopath will custom-tailor supplement protocols based on the methylation pathways and neurochemistry of an individual. Lab testing also provides a better overview and provides insight into the probable causative factors behind an individual’s health issues or addictive tendencies. At ATMC, we use lab testing to understand the root cause of the symptoms rather than to treat a diagnosis. This helps the client to get the root of their health issues and provide long-term results, something which sets us apart from other facilities.

Extensive One-on-One Patient/Practitioner Communication

Each resident works closely with our clinical team to collaborate on their treatment plan each step along their healing journey. We consider the patient to be an integral member of their clinical team. Each decision regarding their treatment is made with them, not on their behalf. By implementing this collaborative model, we can ensure each treatment plan is specially designed to fit the unique needs of the individual.

Ongoing Physical and Emotional Health Assessments

Residents engage in dynamic therapeutic work with therapists, care managers, nurses and doctors on a daily basis. Our team observes each resident closely to monitor subtle changes in their physical and mental health. Adjustments are made to their treatment plans in response to these observations.

Clinical and Holistic Therapies

At ATMC, every resident is treated as having an equal say in their treatment protocols. Residents are empowered to make decisions with the clinical team as to the course of their treatment while here. A number of different therapies are offered at ATMC including:

Clinical Therapies

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Trauma Therapy
  • Substance Abuse Counseling
  • Positive Psychology
  • Equine Therapy
  • Compassion-Based Therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Radical Acceptance
  • Play Therapy
  • Art Therapy

Holistic Treatment Modalities (include but are not limited to):

  • Sauna
  • Ionic Foot Baths
  • Nebulized Glutathione
  • Castor Oil Packs
  • Colon Hydrotherapy and Basti Enemas
  • Acupuncture
  • Reiki
  • Aromatherapy
  • Massage
  • Equine Therapy
  • Yoga
  • Chi Gong
  • Heart Math
  • Bentonite Detox Masks
  • Learn More

Due to the individualized nature of our treatment protocol, each resident can choose which treatment modalities they would like to partake in, with the guidance of the clinical and medical team.

Neuroscience and Biochemistry Protocols

Our toxin removal program utilizes environmental medicine to target and remove toxic elements present in the body. As these toxins are cleared from the body, residents see improved balance both in the body and mind.

LEARN MORE

Nutrition and Supplementation

Our Naturopathic Physician meets with each resident weekly to evaluate their nutritional and supplement needs. The vitamin protocol targets deficiencies in a persons neurochemistry, helps alleviate withdrawal symptoms, as well as treat symptoms such as insomnia and anxiety. Each protocol is different and reflects the unique needs of the individual.

LEARN MORE about Functional Medicine

Education, Bringing Treatment Success Into Sustained Recovery

ATMC has developed a curriculum designed to educate on subjects ranging from nutrition and supplementation to life skills and coping strategies. Evidence-based information and proven guidelines towards wellness are shared by our clinicians, holistic therapists, and life skills professionals. Process groups led by our therapists are individualized to client’s experiences and treatment.

Our extensive curriculum includes courses on the following topics and modules:

  • Nutrition and Supplementation
  • Brain Chemistry
  • Environmental Medicine
  • Amino Acid Therapy for Addiction Recovery
  • Mindfulness
  • Neurochemistry of yoga
  • Qigong
  • Meditation
  • Life Skills
  • Goal-setting
  • Life planning
  • How to build healthy relationships

We believe discharge planning begins on the day of intake. We assess a resident’s post treatment needs throughout their stay and create a treatment plan that addresses those needs. While in the program, residents develop a practice of healthy habits so they can take these practices home, where they are needed most. Our discharge plans are extensive, detailed, and individualized in order to meet the complex needs of each resident.

Our mission is to delicately yet effectively uncover the who, what, when, where, how and why of a person’s mind, body and spiritual inefficiencies. We take the known as well as the unknowns in human behavior, internal systemic processes, and environmental influences to arrive at options for effective, individualized recovery.

Once you realize medication dependency is a lifestyle that doesn’t serve you anymore, recovery is already underway.

For decades, our founders and compassionate staff have worked tirelessly, passionate about distinguishing fact from fiction in the mysteries of human behavior and the shortfalls in achieving healthy balance. People are people. But what details our differences is in the way the mind, body and spirit connect to one another in self, and how they respond to everything else.

It is in this quest to reach and maintain a perceived, though false, sense of balance that we can make ill-choices. Some are the direct result of following traditional medicine guidelines, while others live and die in the craving to self-medicate. Fixing the symptoms of compromised mental and behavioral health won‘t treat the root causes of personal plight. Alternative to Meds Center offers wellness seekers a reprieve by providing authentic, proven, individualized treatment — the distinction between what’s real and what others can only imagine.

View Outcome Results Here

Empowering

Having positive mental health tools and knowing how to use them long-term is at the core of our philosophy, and perhaps the most essential aspect of all.

We believe in the power of the individual to take charge of their recovery.

People come to ATMC from all over the world to learn and participate in the healing modalities offered by our program. A main component of our treatment approach is to teach and empower each individual.

Our goal is that each person has the ability to make informed decisions about their health and maintain the practices necessary for their continued healing. In order to achieve this goal, we work closely with each resident to teach them about why the treatments they engage in are therapeutic for them and how to continue these practices on their own.

ATMC prides itself on the education that we provide to empower our residents with the healing techniques and mindset needed to ensure optimal success post-graduation.

Education is provided in clinical meetings on a one-to-one basis, during the discharge process, through the many classes offered on a variety of topics and through HeartMath training.

The successful pursuit of living a life drug-free and enjoying physical and emotional balance may begin here, but to fully embrace and call it your own is empowerment at its best.

Empowering Recovery

Collaboration in care is our cornerstone.

At the Alternative to Meds Center, we take a collaborative approach to healing. Our clinical team works closely with each resident to educate and empower them each step along their healing journey with us. We consider the patient to be an integral member of their clinical team. Each decision regarding their treatment is made with them, not on their behalf. By implementing this collaborative model, our residents can recover and heal feeling supported, respected, and heard. As it should be.

You will meet with the clinical team weekly to collaborate on your treatment plan and make any changes necessary. Each week, you will work in conjunction with a psychiatrist, a naturopath, psychotherapists, nurses, and many others on your journey to health. Each of these practitioners will help you determine the best steps to move forward with your treatment plan. Decisions are made with you and not on your behalf.

Removing old, destructive habits and replacing them with beneficial actions requires a collective approach between practitioner and resident. Alternative to Meds Center knows the details behind optimal well-being, and you know you. Together, we work to formulate an individualized treatment program — not on your behalf but designed in collaboration with you.

Residents can taper off their medications feeling supported, respected, and heard, meeting with the clinical team weekly. The result is a comprehensive protocol that supports the individual and provides room for modification throughout the treatment process. After all, a plan is only as good as its capacity to meet patients where they are in their recovery.

Collaborative vs. Authoritative Models

Many treatment facilities work under the authoritative model, under which “they have the power to mandate conformity by the client to the normative and often legal requirements of the organization [… and are] working with ‘involuntary’ clients—clients who understand, whether or not it is explicitly stated, that [the facility] possesses the power to effect unwanted change in their life circumstance.”

ATMC, on the other hand, prides itself on using a collaborative model, in which clients and the clinical team work together to determine the best, individualized treatment approaches for clients, enabling clients to play a key role in their own success.

Each week, residents will meet with their care manager and the clinical director to review all aspects of their treatment program ranging from their individual therapy to outside appointments, to family contact. Again, this is a collaborative approach that allows residents to be an active participant in the decisions regarding their treatment. We pride ourselves on this aspect of the program and it sets us apart from any other treatment center.

That’s empowering.

Empowering Through Education

ATMC has developed a curriculum designed to educate on subjects ranging from nutrition and supplementation to life skills and coping strategies. The curriculum is shared as a resource so residents can take it home and continue to use it as a reference for their personal growth.

Education is essential to our residents. Evidence-based information and proven guidelines towards wellness are shared by our clinicians, holistic therapists, and life skills professionals.

ATMC has an extensive curriculum of over 100 class modules. In addition, we offer a number of recipes and nutritional guidelines for residents to use post-graduation to help ensure success with dietary recommendations after completing our program.

Our education includes:

  • Brain Chemistry – its impact on health
  • Pharmacology – how medication compromises our ability to heal
  • Neurotoxicity – the connection between toxic exposure and neurological response
  • Nutrition – how diet strengthens and supports well-being
  • Environmental Medicine – how to minimize environmental factors that can affect our ability to heal
  • Supplementation – understanding how deficiencies affect biochemistry
  • Mindfulness – instilling calm and reducing stress
  • Neurochemistry of yoga
  • Chi gong, mindful movement and meditation
  • Life Skills – key components to experiencing joy and fulfillment
  • Amino Acid Therapy for Addiction Recovery – how to restore your neurochemistry to optimize brain health
  • Art Therapy – how to use art to support the healing process
  • Therapy Groups and Socratic Seminars – group therapy on topics ranging from compassion-based therapy to communication skills
  • Group Therapy Focused on Addiction Education – coping skills to deal with everyday life and optimize the chances of recovery
  • Group Sessions – supports life after treatment completion
  • Goal setting
  • Life planning
  • How to build healthy relationships

Examples of class topics Include:

  • Science of Happiness
  • Compassionate therapy
  • Neurotoxicity and its effect on mental health
  • Integrative approaches to mental health treatment
  • Yoga as a coping strategy for anxiety
  • HeartMath training, teaching residents how to synchronize the heart and the brain to better manage stress and optimize mental performance.

Because the healing journey doesn’t end here, our goal is to ensure that residents are educated and empowered to make healthy decisions for themselves.

Life Skills

Module:  The Science of Happiness

Here you can find an example of one of our classes. Our experienced instructors provide curriculum handouts at the end of each class for our residents to take home and utilize for years to come.

In each of these ways, ATMC’s program is empowering and gives our residents as many resources as possible to succeed in their goals.

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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.

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