I began taking myself off of many of my prescription meds back in 2004 after reading Dr. Mercola and articles in medical journals.  At that time, I was taking Lipitor for about 10 yrs.   During 2003 and 2004, I saw my doctors many times complaining of memory loss, muscle pain and increasing weakness (to the point of not being able to walk), getting lost driving just a few miles from my home, depression that was getting worse and worse no matter what new antidepressant was prescribed, dark brown urine, and on and on.  On my last visit to this doctor, after listening to all these complaints, she told me that my bloodwork was perfect and to continue with the Lipitor.    I replied that if it was so perfect, then why do I feel like I am dying?   That was the beginning of my research and I found Dr. Mercola.   I discontinued Lipitor and the antidepressant (to prepare for the new one being prescribed) began taking Carlson's cod liver oil (2 T a day to start).   In one week, I was depression free!  And never filled the new script for the new antidepressant.   It took longer for my other symptoms to improve, but they did improve.  I believe that Dr. Mercola saved my life.   I was taking a tray of presciption meds and now I'm only taking meds for my diabetes.

However, there is a downside to some extent.   I cannot find a family doctor.   When I refuse to take a prescription med, they tell me to find a new doctor because I won't follow their instructions.  At the present time, I do have an endocrinologist for my diabetes. 

A drug by any other name is still a drug!  Synthetic drugs alter your mind and body chemistry, period.   Listen to your body, the side effects are trying to tell you something.  Whatever ails you is not a result of a pharmaceutical deficiency.  Drugs should only be used as a last resort and during critical situations.  The truth will eventually win over the false claims of the drug companies.  Western medicine is only good for one thing, emergencies.  Why is heart disease so rampant yet most Americans are taking statins?  Talk about dollars being literally flushed down the toilet, polluting our precious environment.   The sheeps' wool is being plucked, one drug at a time, to expose the wolf that is Big Pharma!      Spread the truth, Mercola.com

I feel like a broken record sometimes, but it really is in all of our hands. We must educate the ignorant. They may not always listen, but somewhere down the line they might get it. Unfortunately people feel safest listening to their doctor. They don't see all the band aids they've accumulated over the years...they just want quick relief (aka another pill). What happens though is they get sicker so they think they need more medication.
People know to an extent that they are what they eat. Yet, they think it's too hard &/or expensive to eat right. I've found the opposite to be true. It's much less expensive than eating out. When I tell people what I've learned, they do have at least some interest. Though, many want to discuss it with their doctor first! When I tell them I shop at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, they think I must be rich (not true). They think it's weird to clean with baking soda and vinegar (how could it possibly be clean without all the chemicals?). They don't understand why I cringe when they offer me preservative, sugar filled, hydrogenated oiled food. They may not understand, but they notice. Hopefully they will notice not only what I do or don't consume but the results of my choices.
I think it comes down to the fact that we must all become educators. We've got to reach out and refer them to good resources such as Dr. Mercola. I've emailed many articles off this site to people. They are a bit overwhelmed by it, but when they have a health question they ask, "What does that doctor say about this or that".
It is so wonderful to have alternatives to drugs. The main objective is to  prevent sickness by watching what we intake. Whether it's food, supplements, drugs, cosmetics, water or cleaning supplies. It is great to learn how to better take care of the body God has given us & the earth we inhabit. Thanks Dr. Mercola and all of you who are determined to make a difference!