When dealing with alcohol addiction, cutting out alcohol can be intimidating. Many believe life without alcohol will be dull. However, the health benefits of quitting alcohol alone are more than enough to consider long-term sobriety. Here are some of the many ways...
In the US alone, over 140,000 people die from excessive alcohol use – 380 deaths per day. In 2020, opioid-related deaths only surpassed alcohol deaths by seven percent. These numbers place alcohol as the third-leading preventable cause of death in the country. Let’s...
Over one-third of Americans suffer from sleep disorders. Zolpidem, or Ambien, is the most commonly prescribed medication for insomnia. However, Ambien doesn’t mix well with one of the other most commonly used substances: alcohol. Mixing alcohol and sleeping pills is a...
An alcoholic bender is a period of time during which an individual engages in excessive alcohol consumption and experiences associated negative consequences. In the context of alcoholism and other substance use disorders, it is often used to refer to periods during...
After a night of drinking, it can be tempting to grab your car keys and head home. However, alcohol affects your driving ability, even when you think you can handle it. Driving requires concentration and attention to details around you, 2 things that are impaired by...
It’s no secret that alcohol can cause you to stop breathing, but did you know it may also be linked to sleep apnea? When you drink alcohol, it causes your body to release chemicals that inhibit the respiratory centers of your brain. This means that your breathing...
People who drink heavily often experience muscle pain. While weak or painful limbs might be expected after a night of heavy drinking, it could be a serious health issue if it lasts several days. When this occurs, it could be a condition called alcohol myopathy. Read...
Alcohol has long been a part of social gatherings, and it's something that many people enjoy. But one drawback to drinking is that alcohol can have many effects on your eyes. Some of these effects are mild, and some are more severe. More specifically, heavier alcohol...
Drinking alcohol can cause fluctuations in your blood sugar levels, which can cause you to develop diabetes. Studies have found that people who drink more than four drinks a day are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Alcohol can cause fluctuations in...
Alcoholism is a serious mental health issue, and while excessive drinking can cause anger and aggressive outbursts, there's more to it. Alcohol is a depressant that impairs your brain’s ability to process information properly. When you're drunk, you're less able to...
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common medical problem affecting over 250 million people worldwide. Acupuncture has risen as a popular alternative therapy and effective treatment for AUD. Studies suggest acupuncture can effectively reduce alcohol intake, reduce...
Different drinking levels are often referenced when diagnosing alcoholism and alcohol abuse. The path to alcohol addiction doesn’t happen overnight. For example, moderate drinking isn’t a cause for concern in most people. However, when drinking gets out of control,...
Choosing to quit alcohol is courageous. But, when it comes to alcohol detox, doing it naturally and safely involves choosing the right therapies and elements to help the body heal. Sticking to a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and focusing on the psychological...
One of the most common coping mechanisms for social anxiety, and stress in general, is drinking. While alcohol might carry some legitimate benefits, there are plenty of reasons why relying on it is a bad idea. Read on to learn why using alcohol to cope with social...
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.
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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.