Anxiety and Toxins — Is There a Connection?
One of the most overlooked contributors to anxiety and other mental health symptoms such as major depressive disorder, is the neuro-inflammatory effect that toxins can have on neurochemistry, which leads to deterioration of one’s mental health. Very recent research has begun to document these effects related to not only mental health, but physical health issues such as obesity, diabetes. and other globally significant conditions in modern day medicine.1-3
Toxins that have been linked to psychiatric conditions and symptoms like anxiety and depression are many, and can include:
Mercury- Lead
- Cadmium
- EDCs (endocrine disrupting chemicals)
- Pesticides
- Organophosphates
- Chemical cleaners both industrial and household
- Some preservatives and chemical additives in food processing
- Drugs
- Chemicals found in personal care products
- Air and water pollution
- Agricultural chemicals that leech into soil
The Importance of Biophysical Repair after Environmental Exposure to Toxins
The association between mental health and toxin exposure has been well-documented. The neuroprotective effects of a green and toxin-free environment should also be taken into account in the treatment of symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and even suicidality.
Unwanted mental health symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, depression, impulsiveness, and even psychosis often present as a result of toxin exposures.
Therefore, purging these elements from the body is of utmost importance for the recovery process, which is why ATMC focuses on cleansing these neurotoxins from the physical body for mental health recovery.1,12
Do Anti-Anxiety Drugs Cure Anxiety?
No. Anxiety medication is taken to mask symptoms of anxiety, but in time, this typically worsens the issue, if only because the root cause has never been discovered or addressed.
Where toxic poisons are a contributing factor to ongoing anxiety, taking benzos to handle toxic poisoning symptoms is rather like putting on a silk glove to catch a 100 mile per hour fastball.
A person may take anti-anxiety drugs for years, or even decades, finding the drug’s effectiveness wanes. This is due to the neuroplasticity of the central nervous system and brain, and is called tolerance. Symptoms may even worsen as the drug’s effectiveness wanes.
Over time, a person may decide that the drug is the primary problem and tries to quit. Some may find success with this, especially with medical guidance and oversight. However if there is a neurotoxic burden involved, simply stopping the drug will not be a complete solution. This omitted step can leave a significant number of persons in a protracted withdrawal state. Protracted withdrawals can last years. But in a significant number of such cases, we have observed that the drug is not the only problem.
If the original problem was toxic burden, then the problem is the still there. And the drugs were just not the correct solution. A more lasting solution would be to investigate and discover if poisoning is an issue and if it is, then one needs to unburden the body of its toxic accumulation using detoxification regimens such as are used at the Alternative to Meds Center. At this point, gentle tapering off anxiety medication can be successfully accomplished.
If the source of anxiety was trauma-based, or situational, for example, mindfulness-based therapy has been shown to be the most effective treatment option. Holistic treatment options can be blended safely because unlike prescription drugs, they don’t cause harmful interactions, but can enhance each other in safe ways.6
Are There Drug-Free Anxiety Treatments?
Yes, drug-free anxiety treatments including assessments that investigate the source of symptoms often lead to lasting relief that medication alone is generally unable to provide. Our treatment center addresses more than medication dependence, addiction, and withdrawal, we teach our clients how to handle mental health symptoms in effective, health-promoting ways. We assemble an individualized treatment regimen for every client. There are many effective anti-anxiety alternatives and other answers to mental health besides lifelong use of prescription drugs.
Recent studies have pointed to promising alternative anxiety treatments which can provide more permanent remission without additional side effects. These practices can include targeted dietary changes, specifically tailored exercise and relaxation regimens, using supplements to provide rebalancing of the thyroid or adrenal systems, addressing other dysfunctional areas in the body, and many other safe and effective strategies.
At Alternative to Meds Center, education is another important component of each person’s unique program. We want to provide our clients with the information needed for fundamental mental health self-care which we hope will assist in the quest for achieving sustained wellness, without the burden of anxiety and without the burden of prescription drug side effects.
Drug-free treatments for anxiety recovery at ATMC can include:
Lab-testing and other assessments for root causes of symptoms- Educational components to enhance self-care for life
- Orthomolecular medicine — nutritional overhaul, including supplementation to nourish and replenish neurochemistry
- Physical exercise such as hiking, swimming, Qigong, Equine therapy
- Comfort therapies like therapeutic massage, acupuncture, mineral baths, Reiki, and more
- Nebulized glutathione
- IV treatments
- Counseling such as CBT, DBT, and more
- Holistic insomnia treatments
- Peer support groups
- Organic chef-prepared meals/snacks/smoothies
- Neurotoxin cleansing
These and additional drug-free treatments are available in a nurturing and comfortable environment at ATMC and we are certain that we provide the best diagnostic and treatment options possible because our aims parallel those of the clients. You can call any of our knowledgeable and helpful staff to discuss these alternative options for inpatient treatment of anxiety.
How do Tolerance and Dependence on Anti-Anxiety Drugs Develop?
Over time, even a short time in some cases, anti-anxiety medications lose their effectiveness at controlling or masking symptoms. This is called tolerance. It usually leads to increasing the frequency or dose of medication, but ultimately leads to dependence even when the drug no longer provides relief. When dependence or addiction has developed, withdrawal symptoms will occur when the anxiety medication is stopped. 7
Signs of Developing Tolerance, Dependence or Addiction to Anti-Anxiety Medications can include:
- You can recognize anxiety medication tolerance, dependence, addiction if you have been taking medications like Xanax, Valium or an SSRI or SNRI, etc., for longer than several weeks and now you feel like you need higher or more frequent doses to feel the effects of the drug.
- Feeling incapable of performing regular, everyday functions can be an indication that the medication you take is not working for you anymore but has instead become addictive.
- You might feel as if you are out of control without the medication, this is another indicator that you may be developing an anti-anxiety medication dependence or addiction. The most important thing to do to successfully overcome such a dependency is to find professional anti-anxiety medication withdrawal help.
These signs of becoming dependent on medication can creep up unnoticed, and sometimes speaking to a professional who is trusted and well-informed on the subject can be an excellent resource to use to start a recovery program or at least take the first step to getting back on track.
There are drug-free alternatives that a naturopath along with an informed prescriber can assist you with, if transitioning gradually off medication is an option you are considering Read more about safer alternatives to anti-anxiety medication that you can share with your health care professionals.
How are Anti-Anxiety Medications Classified?
Anti-anxiety drugs are sometimes called sedatives, and can fall under various classifications:
- Benzodiazepines – Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, etc.
- Hypnotics – Zolpidem, other drugs used as sleeping pills
- Anticonvulsants – Neurontin, Depakote
- Second-generation antipsychotics – Seroquel, Abilify, etc.
- Antidepressants – SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics, MOAIs
- Beta-blockers – Propranolol
- Antihistamines – Vistaril
Sedatives such as benzodiazepines are often prescribed for much longer than the recommended time frame. This is unfortunate because after long-term use of benzodiazepines, discontinuation presents a pronounced set of benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, and these are some of the harshest and most debilitating withdrawal symptoms known to humankind.
Other anxiety medications include barbiturates, sleeping pills, hypnotics, and certain antidepressant drugs which are meant to help people feel more relaxed. ALL of these drugs can cause symptoms of withdrawal, especially if stopped abruptly, too fast, or without preparation and guidance.
All of these drugs carry the liability of developing tolerance and dependence. Some individuals who take medications for anxiety or panic attacks may become dependent on these medications after only a few weeks, which can even further compound their problems with anxiety. Other side effects are common, and some can be ruinous.8,9
How is Withdrawal at ATMC Unique?
Our medication withdrawal program works not only to relieve harsh symptoms of withdrawal, but we also search for the underlying source or sources of anxiety and work to eliminate these with proven methods. Using a thorough course of lab testing and other holistic methods, withdrawals can be greatly eased, so that a person transitions to drug-free in the most comfortable and safe ways possible.
The goal is not simply to stop the medication, which IS done comfortably and safely, but just as importantly, to eradicate the original causes of symptoms. That is ATMC’s unique approach.
What does Withdrawal from Anti-Anxiety Medication Feel Like?
During the period of transitioning off of an anxiety medication, one may feel emotional, physical, and psychological withdrawal symptoms. These can be extremely difficult to endure, which is why ATMC ensures that measures are in place to soften and eliminate these.
With the professional help of our treatment center, the most uncomfortable aspects of withdrawal are eliminated. We have proven and effective solutions that can help you.
We search for any possible underlying medical or genetic causes of mental health problems. We offer addiction counseling, spiritual counseling, group therapy, and other counseling so clients can discuss their experiences in a meaningful and safe atmosphere.
We provide natural substances, supplements, whole and organic food, vitamins and minerals to stabilize the neurochemistry. We work to provide relief on all levels, physically, emotionally, biochemically, spiritually and medically.
Importance of Nutrition and Anxiety Recovery
Withdrawal can be a sign that the person’s neurochemistry is attempting to re-stabilize itself, but does not have the neurochemical reserves to do so. Orthomolecular-based methods of restoring the body’s neurochemical reserves have helped thousands of individuals become mentally healthy without drugs. Our approaches make this transition comfortable and safe. We address the various nutritional factors and causes of unwanted symptoms as thoroughly as we do, because we understand how challenging it can be to endure an unsupported withdrawal from anti-anxiety medications.
Our methods carefully blend gentle tapering techniques, a holistic detoxification of accumulated neurotoxins in the individual’s body, and natural substances targeted to support neurochemical health.
Where one’s neurochemistry has been compromised by toxins, poor nutrition, the injurious impacts of drugs/medications or other causes, nutrition provides a key to relief and recovery from one’s original symptoms.10
Strong Supports for Recovery of Natural Mental Wellness
The center provides peer support, and the use of many comfort and relaxation therapies that include massage, yoga, Qigong, Reiki, sound therapy, cold plunge therapy, acupuncture, Equine therapy, and much more.
When a person is trying to overcome dependence or addiction to anti-anxiety medications, they can face some of the most challenging withdrawal symptoms. Alternative to Meds Center provides healing therapies and treatment techniques to simplify the process of recovery and alleviate symptoms of withdrawal.
Anxiety Relief Can Change Your Life!
For those who have started taking anti-anxiety medication, and are unable to tolerate side effects, or have not been responsive to traditional medication; anti-anxiety alternatives help — and strategic use of these could change your life. We provide anti-anxiety alternatives treatment that allows clients to stop taking these medications and transition into the use of anti-anxiety natural alternatives. We focus on finding and correcting the causes of symptoms which resulted in taking anxiety medication.
There are constantly growing numbers of individuals around the world who suffer from anxiety and related symptoms and as this number increases annually, there are more people who are beginning to consider anti-anxiety alternative treatments to eliminate anxiety and it’s companion depression. This desire for natural anti-anxiety alternative medicine is primarily due to the the many liabilities of well-known prescription medications used to treat panic attacks and anxiety. Often, those suffering from a condition of anxiety believe the only way possible to relieve this stressful problem is by medicating themselves. However, traditional treatment is not the only option. There are effective ways to treat symptoms with drug-free alternatives to anti-anxiety prescription drugs.
Testimonial: Orthomolecular Medicine Successful for Depression, Anxiety
When I got on the plane in Seattle to head for Alternative to Meds Center, I was very much like the character humpty dumpty. I needed to be put back together.
More than two years in to the third major depressive episode of my adult life, I was really struggling with severe anxiety, as well. Things had gotten so bad that I was pacing inside my home nearly all day, afraid to go outside, and could not bring myself to call friends who were more than willing to provide support. I was in a very dark, scary place and had very little hope for recovery. 
The prescription meds I was taking then (I had tried at least six different antidepressants and/or anti anxiety meds) were of little benefit and their side effects created another set of problems.
I had gone through several psych ward hospitalizations and had undergone electroconvulsive treatments with no lasting improvement. I seemed to be making painstakingly slow progress in counseling. My wife’s health was suffering, too, as she was really acting as a caregiver. As she so eloquently put it at that juncture: “something has to change.”
I found Alternative to Meds Center through an internet search for alternative treatments for depression and anxiety. Fortunately, my wife and daughter were long time advocates for alternative treatments, including orthomolecular. I told them that I needed to have them help me with making the decision to go to Alternative to Meds Center. They both checked things out for themselves and assured me that it was the right place to go.
I just finished my 5+ week stay at Alternative to Meds Center and am now off of all prescription meds, specifically nortriptyline and gabapentin. A carefully designed, medically supervised tapering of the meds, along with the detoxifying regimen and nutritional supplementation were key ingredients for success. The counseling was extremely beneficial and brought much-needed perspective. I had a care manager who was my “go to” person and my advocate. The holistic program at Alternative to Meds Center brought healing to me on all levels: emotional, physical, and spiritual. The staff there is very committed to helping each person in the program and treated me with respect, compassion, and understanding. I am feeling the best I have felt in many years- clear minded and with a positive outlook. In many ways, I have been re-assembled and no longer feel like humpty dumpty. ~ G.A., graduate
Where Can I Get More Information on Holistic Anxiety Treatments?
You do not have to be trapped in a repeating routine of medication and doctor visits. Our treatment facility is a place where medical professionals assist individuals in discovering and reversing the causes of symptoms such as anxiety or depression, or others. Reducing their dependence to prescription medications, alcohol and other drugs is also an important part of the recovery process.
We do this through employing very gentle and precise tapering techniques, stabilization of the neurochemistry through natural substances, and removing the neurotoxins that could have contributed to symptoms of anxiety. The anxiety or panic attacks that you suffered led to being medicated. In many cases of chronic anxiety, we identify an accumulation of toxins in the body that are over-stimulating to the nervous system, which is what usually led to use of these drugs in the first place. There are better, healthier solutions that do not involve additional side effects or neuronal injury.
We create uniquely personalized treatment plans for each of our clients.
Does it seem like you have attempted every method to end anxiety symptoms and side effects of anti-anxiety medication and nothing has helped or worked? Do you feel as though you have an over-stimulated or overexcited nervous system? We work to find the original causes of the symptoms which resulted in being medicated with anti-anxiety drugs.
You can eliminate side effects, prevent painful withdrawal and continue your life without anxiety. We welcome your questions. Please reach out and give us a call to find out more about natural alternative treatments for anxiety.
