Almost 92,000 people in the United States died from a drug-involved overdose in 2020. Accidental drug overdose is one of the leading causes of death among people under 45. Synthetic opioids, psychostimulants, cocaine, and prescription opioids were the most common...
Last updated Aug 1, 2023 | Published on Jul 14, 2021
Addiction is an all-consuming disease that can have us do, say, and think things we never would otherwise. It can cause us to abandon our instincts for self-preservation and ultimately turn us into a version of ourselves that we no longer recognize. It’s only natural...
Last updated Aug 1, 2023 | Published on May 12, 2021
Hormones are the chemical messengers of the body and function similarly to the red and green signals of a stoplight. These powerful molecules can both regulate or disrupt everything from organ function to human development to mood. Mounting evidence has shown that...
Last updated Jan 24, 2023 | Published on Jan 18, 2019
The disease of addiction is a disease of the mind and spirit. It is the only disease that tells you that you don't have a disease. It's the one disease that will kill you with your own hand while blaming the world for your decisions. It's the only disease that...
Last updated Nov 24, 2020 | Published on Jan 14, 2019
What is drug addiction? Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain. It is considered both a complex brain disorder and a mental...
Last updated Jan 24, 2023 | Published on Jan 7, 2019
With statistics of prescription opioid abuse on the decline, it may seem that the opioid crisis has finally reached a turning point. However, this is only a small portion of the the opiate crisis. When it comes to opioid dependency based on other measures, the crisis...
Last updated Nov 24, 2020 | Published on Dec 28, 2018
A quick scroll through Facebook or Instagram will confirm something everyone already knows: People love inspirational quotes. We save them to our phones, print them on t-shirts, and we even tattoo them on our bodies. And nobody loves them more than an addict in...
Last updated Nov 24, 2020 | Published on Dec 20, 2018
As the holidays get closer, you're probably wondering how to show your love to the people that care about you the most. While you may be thinking of what presents to buy for your family this year, the best thing to give them is your recovery. The Gift of...
Last updated Nov 24, 2020 | Published on Dec 17, 2018
Are you thinking about going to an addiction treatment center but afraid that you'll lose your job if you do? This is a common fear many people face when deciding whether or not to pursue treatment. With many rehabilitation programs lasting 30 days or longer, most...
Last updated Nov 24, 2020 | Published on Dec 10, 2018
We know that motivation plays a crucial role in recovery, but how does it work? Researchers studied a group of people who learned to stay sober on their own with no help from support groups, counselors, or anyone else. They found out that change came when the...
Last updated Nov 30, 2022 | Published on Dec 3, 2018
The holiday season is here and it’s the time of year we gather with our families and celebrate. It’s also typically a time when gifts are exchanged. Coming up with gift ideas can be stressful, especially when you’re trying to find a present for a loved one in...
Last updated Nov 24, 2020 | Published on Nov 19, 2018
The holidays are here and you’re clean and sober! Thanksgiving is the perfect day to give thanks for the blessings in our lives. And your sobriety should be the one you’re most grateful for! 4 REASONS TO BE THANKFUL FOR SOBRIETY Your Life Addiction is the thief...
Last updated Nov 24, 2020 | Published on Nov 19, 2018
International Men's Day - Celebrating Health and Sobriety International Men's Day (IMD) is celebrated every year on November 19th. The primary focus of the day is physical and mental health for men around the world. It also aims to improve gender relations...
Last updated Nov 24, 2020 | Published on Nov 16, 2018
Your rock bottom does not have to come after you have lost everything. You don’t have to be homeless and without a job before you realize you need help. Maybe your relationships are falling apart and your job performance begins to deteriorate. Work stress and deadline...
Last updated Nov 24, 2020 | Published on Nov 13, 2018
#WorldKindessDay was launched in 1998 by the The World Kindness Movement with the goal of creating a kinder world. It is observed on November 13th worldwide and I really hope everybody marks it on their calendar. It’s a day to focus on the positive power and...
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.
Laurel, 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 Rodriguez
Director of Human Resources
Brie 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 BAIZA
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Cori’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 GAU
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
John’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 GUDIM
DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES
Mark’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.
Medical Director, Board Certified in Addiction Medicine
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.
Call our 24/7 helpline now to speak with an admission specialist.
AMANDA MARINELLI, DNP, BBA, AG NP-BC, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP
PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER
Amanda 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.