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.
You may have heard the terms of chemical dependency, addiction, and substance use disorder used interchangeably. Similar to the terms “heavy alcohol use” and “binge drinking”, the terms do have differing means that are defined by various organizations or resources,...
“Addiction doesn’t discriminate.” You may have heard something along these lines before, and it is so true. Drug use and drug addiction happen among groups of all ages, ethnicities, socio-economic status, etc. Although some drugs are more prevalent in certain areas...
The 12 Step program originated from Alcoholics Anonymous although it has also been used in Narcotics Anonymous. It's also popular in support groups, like Marijuana Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, and Crystal Meth Anonymous. The program involves combining faith and...
Recovering addicts and alcoholics can learn a lot from reading Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as the Big Book. Chock full of stories related to recovery, this book offers lessons to which addicts and alcoholics from all walks of life can relate. But while the...
Percocet users suffer numerous side effects, but some of the worst occur once they stop using and enter withdrawal. Before we can facilitate long-term recovery, we often must help them overcome intense physical pain and discomfort. Rarely will users overcome Percocet...
Discussions of addiction in the military often bring to mind the Vietnam War. Many soldiers developed crippling addictions during this conflict, which resulted in thousands of casualties. Hundreds of thousands, according to some estimates. Drugs such as heroin and...
Those who suffer from substance use disorder often experience any number of cross-addictions. Many will find themselves addicted to multiple substances at once. Others may struggle to regulate behaviors such as eating, gambling, shopping, or sex. These latter cases,...
Many balk at the term substance “abuse,” but in many cases it applies in a very specific manner. Numerous addictive substances, such as prescription medications, are manufactured for reasons entirely unrelated to intoxication. Terms such as “abuse” or “misuse,” while...
On the morning of October 2, musician Tom Petty was found unconscious in his Malibu home. Suffering full cardiac arrest, he was transported to UCLA Medical Center. That afternoon, several media outlets reported that he had been pulled from life support. These reports...
Like many of today’s street drugs, methamphetamine started out as a strictly medicinal substance. First used in decongestants and inhalers, medical professionals eventually discovered that it could be used to treat ADHD, narcolepsy and depression, while also helping...
Every once in a while, we witness heated debates on social media regarding the disease model of addiction. Despite widespread acceptance within the medical community, many view the disease model with absolute disdain. They feel that addiction is a choice, plain and...
Heroin addiction has reached epidemic proportions. Its widespread availability and increased use has created a major global health crisis. A report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states that heroin use in the U.S. has been...
Aside from addicts and alcoholics themselves, nobody suffers more than those forced to watch a loved one suffer. They sometimes blame themselves for their loved one’s disease, especially if they can identify past enabling behaviors. Such people experience constant...
Many recovering addicts and alcoholics view relapse as synonymous with failure. We see it as a sign that we have learned nothing from our daily regimen of meetings, meditations, and calls to our sponsors. After spending weeks, months or even years working toward our...
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.