Addiction is a disease, but it is so much more. Learn more about this complex condition that millions of Americans are struggling with right now.
It's impossible to talk about drug overdose deaths nowadays without fentanyl being mentioned. One of the most powerful opioids in existence (it’s easily 100 times more potent than morphine), fentanyl is the driving force behind the opioid epidemic currently sweeping...
Cyclobenzaprine, better known as the brand name medication Flexeril, is a muscle relaxant used to treat muscle-related pain such as tenderness and spasms from strains and other types of muscle injuries. Despite being deemed low to no-risk by the DEA (Flexeril is not a...
The Opioid Crisis Opioids and opiates are drugs that are made from the opium poppy plant, and that act as "downers". The substances in the drug act directly in opioid receptors of the brain, which are popularly referred to as "pleasure receptors". Legal, lab-produced...
What is Vaping? Vaping is a popularized term for smoking e-cigarettes, which can also be referred to as "juuling". E-cigarettes work by producing an aerosol as it heats up a specific liquid made for it. This liquid can contain many different substances, most commonly...
What does “enable” mean? The definition I think applies here, according to Merriam-Webster, is “to make possible, practical, or easy” (emphasis mine). Enabling looks a lot like love, probably because it’s done through love. We do what we can to make the way...
Getting Sober in Jail Getting sober in jail may be the best thing that can happen for someone who is addicted to drugs and alcohol. Many convicts committed crimes while under the influence or committed crimes due to a need to get drugs or alcohol. These individuals...
Recovery can be a challenging journey—and that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding. Luckily, there are many people who have walked the road ahead, and those kind souls offer their experience and support to those of us who are following behind. Those who have been in...
Many recovering addicts will often notice that they have a lot of free time on their hands. Instead of obsessing over, using, or getting over the use of drugs or alcohol, these individuals now have nothing to do. If they don’t fill in their spare time with a hobby,...
Drug use in the workplace is much more prevalent than you’d think. Many addicts are functioning addicts, and can usually hide their addiction pretty well. They can be your accountant, your favorite cashier at your local grocery store, your child’s teacher or even your...
Most people don’t fully understand addiction. As a result, there are many misconceptions about this mental health disorder floating around. Many believe that addiction is completely curable and that addicts can quit whenever they want. These thoughts are harmful and...
Relapses are common in recovery. Approximately 40% to 60% of those who seek addiction treatment will relapse at least once. This could be anything from developing a full-blown addiction once again or merely having a sip of alcohol or returning to hardcore bingeing....
Drinking and driving is a huge problem in America, and over 111 million Americans admitted to driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs in 2016. Those who are driving while under the influence will not have quick reaction times. They may also make poor...
You’ve probably heard it time and time again. Those who get off drugs or even alcohol will often find their weight ballooning in the next several years. Their stomachs bulge out a little more. Or, for some people, they may even put on over a hundred pounds...
Recovery is like a roller coaster ride, so knowing what to expect in the first 30 days of recovery can make it less overwhelming. It takes a lot of discipline, patience and motivation. Trying to restore balance to the body is not as easy as it sounds. Those who are...
sober.
Whether you or your family member is struggling with addiction, you are not alone in this journey. Explore our expansive addiction resources, including our guides for teens, parents, and spouses, as well as relatable recovery stories from Amethyst Alumni.
Call our 24/7 helpline to speak with an admissions cordinators and get the support you need when you need it.
Laurel McGinnisLaurel, as the Director of Corporate Compliance for USR, is responsible for ensuring that the facility follows all federal and state regulatory requirements, accreditation standards and industry best practices. Laurel has over twenty years’ experience in legal and regulatory affairs in both the public and private sectors. She attended the University of Kansas where she studied political science, and she is designated by the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR) as a Certified National Investigator and Inspector (CNII). Prior to joining Amethyst, she served as the Director of Enforcement for a state regulatory body.
Brie RodriguezBrie joined the Amethyst Recovery team in 2017 as an HR assistant. Her over 15 years’ experience working in healthcare administration and management quickly launched her into a leadership role. Now serving as the Director of Human Resources since 2018, she leads our organization through the intricate requirements of recordkeeping, recruitment, staff development as well as compliance. While also directing all aspects of HR including payroll, benefits administration, performance management, and compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as licensing and accreditation standards.
Brie graduated as a high school valedictorian with a major in Health Technologies and continued her studies at Springfield Technical Community College with a focus on healthcare. She served in Operations and HR for a finance company for ten years, before returning to healthcare and eventually arriving at USR.
Brie works closely with the leadership team to develop and implement effective HR strategies that support our organization’s goals and values. As an HR professional, Brie’s primary focus is on ensuring that our organization attracts and retains the most talented and qualified individuals to help us fulfill our mission of providing compassionate care to those struggling with addiction. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by those working in the substance abuse field, Brie is committed to creating a positive and supportive work environment where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to make a difference in the lives of others.
Brie is known for being compassionate and empathetic as well as for her ability to navigate complex and sensitive situations and find solutions that benefit everyone involved. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and their fur babies!
CORI BAIZACori’s key responsibilities include supervising financial operations, and daily financial reporting and account management. Cori’s goal is to ensure all patient’s needs are met in an accurate and timely manner. She is a Certified Recovery Residence Administrator with The Florida Certification Board and licensed Notary Public in the state of Florida. Her experience includes accounting and finance training.
JOHN GAUJohn’s key responsibilities include maintaining the day-to-day operations from both a clinical and housing perspective. John’s goal is to monitor every department to ensure proper policies and procedures are in place and client care is carried out effortlessly. John joined Amethyst as a behavioral health technician where he quickly developed strong personal relationships with the clients through support and guidance. John understands first hand the struggles of addiction and strives to provide a safe environment for clients. John is a Certified Recovery Residence Administrator.
MARK GUDIMMark’s key responsibilities include handling day-to-day maintenance matters and oversees our Environment of Care management plan in conjunction with Joint Commission and DCF regulations. Mark’s goal is to provide a safe environment where distractions are minimized, and treatment is the primary focus for clients and staff alike. Mark received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a minor in Economics from the University of Rhode Island. He is a licensed residential home inspector in the state of Florida and relates his unique experience of analyzing a property and/or housing condition to determining any necessary course of action at our facility.
Jeffrey M. Bishop, D.O.Dr. Jeffer M. Bishop was born and raised in Florida. He joined the U.S. Navy while attending the University of Nebraska for this undergraduate degree in Medicine. When he left the Navy, he went on to graduate from e Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1985.
He worked in Family Medicine for 35 years before retiring from his practice. He then went on to be the Chief Medical Officer at Wellington Regional Medical Center for an additional seven years until resigning from his position in 2013 and started Addiction Medicine.
He is a member of over a dozen professional medical associations and in his free time enjoys a number of different activities. Although now retired from racing, was a member of the International Motor Sports Association and Sports Car Club of America. Dr. Bishop is also a certified open water scuba diver, he enjoys fishing, traveling, and hunting.
AMANDA MARINELLI, DNP, BBA, AG NP-BC, PMHNP-BC, CARN-APAmanda Marinelli is a Board Certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 10 years of experience in the field of mental health and substance abuse. Amanda completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice and Post Masters Certification in Psychiatry at Florida Atlantic University. She is a current member of the Golden Key International Honor Society and the Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Society.