There’s tremendous stigma around addiction and I'm not talking about illegal drugs; I'm talking about addiction to a medication that a doctor prescribed....a well meaning doctor. People are finding that psychiatric meds they take for depression, anxiety, or pain are virtually impossible to get off. Currently, there is little to no guidance out there. Doctors want to help in the taper process, but simply can't. This is largely because psychiatrists are just not trained in how to take people off medications. More often than not, psychiatrists tell their patients to expect two uncomfortable weeks and anything else can be attributed to “all in their head” kind of stuff. I can assure you that this is from reality. Relapse rates for addiction are 40-60%.
I specialize in psychiatric medication tapering and most importantly in addressing the root cause of what got someone on a medication in the first place. I do this naturally with foods, supplementation and alternative therapies which are safe and effective. I know this works not just because of the research or my clinical practice, but because I was addicted to anti-anxiety medication for over 10 years. Not only did I successfully taper, but have found ways to manage my anxiety without medications or drugs.
Psych meds aren't bad, but what is bad is being addicted to meds that no one can help you get off. The danger we face currently with Covid19 is the meteoric rise in mental health symptoms like anxiety, depression and hopelessness. I work at a behavioral mental health center in Sedona, AZ that focuses on helping people wean from psych meds. We have had twice as many patients this winter compared to last winter. So if anxiety is on the rise, why are more people wanting off their anti-anxiety medications?
The answer is that people want safer, healthier ways to manage their anxiety and they want to do it without being dependent on a drug. Today, the trend is toward holistic wellness. Self care, meditation and alternative therapies are all increasingly popular and the wellness industry is booming. The natural progression of this trend has people starting to question their chemical dependence on psychotropic drugs and seeking more natural options to ease their symptoms. Not only can I help them taper, I provide them with the tools and knowledge on how to honor the body and live a symptom free future.