Colleges and universities are thought of as beacons of hope and self-betterment, but these institutions of higher learning also have a dark side. Sexual misconduct is a frighteningly common occurrence at even the most prestigious of establishments. It affects both...
Last updated Jul 24, 2023 | Published on Nov 11, 2020
Domestic violence and substance abuse are often linked together. Many studies have shown that abusers in intimate partner violence (IPV) often engage in heavy alcohol or drug use before becoming violent. The abuser uses heavy drug or alcohol use to justify the abusive...
Last updated Jul 20, 2023 | Published on Apr 3, 2018
Poor self-image and mental health are heavily linked to addiction, so alcohol detox and mental health often go hand in hand. Studies show that children with poor self-image were 1.6 times more likely to be dependent on drugs when they grew up. It is also a cause of...
Last updated Apr 26, 2023 | Published on Mar 20, 2018
Drug and alcohol treatment is necessary for getting sober and staying clean. It's no secret that many Americans struggle with addiction. You can see the effects of addiction in practically every city and state in America. Some cities have a more extensive problem than...
Last updated Aug 1, 2023 | Published on Mar 15, 2018
Professional help from a drug treatment center can speed things along during recovery. The medications used in medication-assisted treatment manage withdrawal symptoms and curb cravings. Most treatment programs also help substance abusers identify triggers and build...
Last updated Nov 24, 2020 | Published on Mar 14, 2018
Opiates are prescribed legally in the United States by doctors and physicians–and because of their highly addictive properties and potential for abuse–have quickly led to a drug epidemic of catastrophic proportions. Not only are opiates harmful to individual mental...
Last updated Jan 19, 2023 | Published on Mar 9, 2018
What is fentanyl? This seems like a burning question in America at the moment. It seems as if all news outlets often mention fentanyl when reporting on the increase in opioid overdoses across America. Of the 5,500 synthetic opioid overdoses that happened in 2014,...
Last updated Jul 24, 2023 | Published on Mar 7, 2018
It’s scary, we understand. A huge transition is happening for you. Your body is experiencing opiate withdrawals. Your mental health has been on a journey. You now have decided to undergo detox for opioids. You now must say goodbye to drug abuse, to...
Last updated Aug 1, 2023 | Published on Mar 5, 2018
Instead of silently watching a loved one struggle with addiction, stage an alcoholism or drug intervention. Addiction and drug use is prevalent in America. It affects many households. After all, 27.1 million Americans over the age of 12 years old used an illicit drug...
Last updated Aug 1, 2023 | Published on Mar 5, 2018
Not enough people seek alcohol or drug treatment for addictions. In 2012, 23.1 million Americans struggled with an addiction, but only a little over 2 million ever sought help. These numbers have largely remained the same over the years. The sad truth is that...
Last updated Jul 31, 2023 | Published on Mar 5, 2018
Medical detoxification plays a massive role in the addiction industry, which rakes in about $35 billion a year. The detox process removes harmful toxins from the body to curb cravings and manage withdrawal symptoms. It is usually the first process that a patient...
Last updated Nov 24, 2020 | Published on Mar 5, 2018
Vivitrol is an opioid antagonist used in Opioid Replacement Therapy (ORT) to treat opioids, which are some of the most addictive drugs. The generic name for Vivitrol is naltrexone. The Food and Drug Administrations has approved Vivitrol injections for treating alcohol...
Last updated Aug 1, 2023 | Published on Mar 2, 2018
Vivitrol is an opioid antagonist used in treatments for opioid and alcohol addiction. The generic name of this drug is naltrexone. It is an opioid antagonist often used at drug addiction treatment facilities, while patients partake in counseling and therapies. This...
Last updated Jul 31, 2023 | Published on Feb 28, 2018
There’s a drug epidemic running rampant through America, and many Americans learning how to stage an intervention, so they can fight addiction within their household. Approximately 10% of Americans struggle with a substance abuse disorder Addiction may have a...
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.