I met a 29-year-old man recently who, through a weary sigh, told me he’s been trying to convince his doctors to take him off his medications — but they won’t. They either change the medication, raise the dose, or recommend adding a new one. It’s a frustrating cycle. He feels stuck. Powerless. Like his life is being managed, not healed.

And he’s not alone.

A Personal Reflection

I’ve heard this before — from friends, family, and even complete strangers. More and more people are expressing the same concern: “I don’t want to be on pills forever. I just want to feel like myself again.”

I couldn’t shake off that conversation. It made me reflect on how often people hand over full control of their bodies, minds, and spirits to systems — medical or otherwise — that aren’t designed to liberate them, only to sustain them.

I totally understood the man’s experience as I pondered on the times when I “fought” with my own doctor on discontinuing taking high blood pressure medication.

We live in an era of “medical management,” not necessarily “medical healing.” Chronic illnesses, mental health struggles, autoimmune conditions — many are being managed, not cured. And while there is merit in long-term care for conditions that require it, too many people feel like they’re just being looped through cycles of dependency.

The Cycle of Medication: Treatment or Treadmill?

Our medical systems, and many modern ones, focus on symptom management, not root healing. If one pill doesn’t work, the next one might. If the dose is too low, increase it. If the side effects are severe, add something else to counter it.

A 2019 study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that nearly 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. takes three or more prescription medications.

When I was house hunting, I toured one house with tons of med bottles (about 40) on the table being taken by the man.

The above study raised concern about “prescribing cascades,” where one medication’s side effects lead to another medication being prescribed, which in turn causes more issues.

There’s a name for this: polypharmacy. And it’s not just a health risk — it’s an emotional one, too.

In 2023, Psychology Today highlighted stories of patients on long-term antidepressants who wanted to taper off, only to find little support from their providers. Many were told it was too risky. Or worse, that they needed the drugs “for life.”

Why Are Doctors Reluctant?

Several factors come into play:

• Liability concerns – Doctors may fear being sued if a patient deteriorates after stopping medication.
•  Medical guidelines – Many are trained to follow standardized protocols, not necessarily individual healing paths.
•  System limitations – In many healthcare systems, appointments are rushed, and deeper conversations about alternative treatments or tapering plans get brushed aside.
•  Lack of patient-centered models – The system often trusts lab results over how a patient feels.

One anonymous doctor admitted in a BMJ (British Medical Journal) article:

“The truth is, we are sometimes more comfortable keeping patients on medication than exploring what it means to truly heal. It’s not ideal—but it’s what the system rewards.”

Where Does That Leave the Patient?

Trapped. Frustrated. Often unheard.

But also with a quiet courage. It takes strength to say, “I want to try life without meds.” It’s not rebellion. It’s hope. The body remembers health. The soul craves balance. And people deserve a voice in the treatment of their own lives.

For People of Faith: Believing for More

For those who believe in God, this hits home on a deeper level. We believe in divine healing, in a God who restores, and in wisdom that surpasses human knowledge. I’ve both experienced and witnessed divine healing. We’re grateful for science and doctors — but we also know that God can guide us through when to stay on medication, and when to safely come off it.

Sometimes, we need both: faith and professional support. Prayer and wisdom. Patience and action.

But What About Those Who Don’t Believe?

This is where compassion matters most.

Not everyone sees healing through a faith-based lens — and that’s okay. But everyone deserves:

• To be heard.
• To be treated as more than a diagnosis.
• To have a say in their own recovery.
•  To explore holistic approaches — be it therapy, lifestyle change, nutrition, exercise, or even just switching doctors — without shame.

Whether faith-led or science-driven, one thing is true: healing should feel empowering, not entrapping.

Because in the end, no one wants to feel like they’re just surviving on pills. We want to thrive. To feel whole. To wake up and say, “This is my life—and I’m living it on my terms.”

Call-to-Action

Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle of medication without real healing?
Your story matters. Whether you’re walking by faith, working with your doctor, or simply trying to reclaim control of your health — you are not alone.

Let’s start a conversation. Share your experience, your thoughts, or even your questions in the comments. You might just help someone else find the courage to ask, “Is there a better way?”

Because healing is not just a prescription — it’s a journey. And every voice counts.