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...
Last updated Jul 24, 2023 | Published on Jun 27, 2022
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...
Last updated Jul 20, 2023 | Published on Jun 20, 2022
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...
Last updated Jan 19, 2023 | Published on Jul 25, 2019
Alcoholism is known as a family disease because it doesn’t just affect the person with the disease, but everyone in a family unit. According to one of the latest Gallup polls, more than a third of Americans have said that drinking has been a cause of family...
Last updated Nov 24, 2020 | Published on Jul 25, 2019
Understanding Alcoholism There are often misunderstandings about alcoholic drinking and what alcoholism is, versus what it isn’t. Alcoholism is classified as a disease and it includes dependence on alcohol to function “normally,” as well as intense cravings and a loss...
Last updated Jan 19, 2023 | Published on Jul 25, 2019
What Are Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders? Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders or FASDs are a group of conditions that can occur if a woman drinks alcohol while she’s pregnant. FASDs can include physical symptoms as well as issues related to learning and behavior. Often...
Last updated Apr 26, 2023 | Published on Jul 16, 2019
Outward Signs of An Alcoholic If you believe a loved one or someone you know is an alcoholic, are there outward signs? The answer is yes, there can sometimes be obvious signs of an alcoholic, but in many cases, the disease has progressed significantly by the time...
Last updated Jul 24, 2023 | Published on Jul 16, 2019
Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal Alcohol use disorder is now the accepted name for the disease of alcoholism or alcohol addiction. When someone regularly drinks too much, they’re at risk for becoming addicted to alcohol. Alcohol affects certain neurotransmitters in the...
Last updated Aug 1, 2023 | Published on Jul 16, 2019
Are you suffering in silence with an addiction that is slowly taking over your life? You may need an alcohol rehab program. An addiction to alcohol can creep up on a person at the most random moment, causing them to suddenly put alcohol before everything else in life....
Last updated Jul 20, 2023 | Published on Jul 16, 2019
Although legal, alcohol packs a powerful punch that has brought countless folks to their knees. If the insidious addiction to the liquid gold has wreaked havoc on your life, you aren’t alone. Likewise, you are not alone in your quest for recovery from alcoholism. The...
Last updated Jul 31, 2023 | Published on Jul 16, 2019
Over 80 percent of people 18 and over drink alcohol and millions of these people become alcoholics. Alcoholism is a disease of addiction that has physical manifestations that can eventually lead to death. In the United States, for example, alcoholism is the third...
Last updated Jul 20, 2023 | Published on Jul 16, 2019
How to Get Alcohol Help for Yourself or Family Ever since intoxicating beverages first appeared in China and the Middle East some 9,000 years ago, alcohol abuse has been a major problem for countless people. Over the generations, many people have found the help they...
Last updated Nov 24, 2020 | Published on Jul 16, 2019
If you’re someone who has enjoyed alcohol frequently and are starting to wonder if you have a problem, an alcohol counselor can help. What was once fun could be hurting you, and the only way forward is to get your problem under control; a professional like a counselor...
Last updated Nov 24, 2020 | Published on Jul 16, 2019
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal? When someone drinks alcohol, it affects the central nervous system. The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord, and alcohol has a depressant effect on it. That’s why when someone’s intoxicated they may seem drowsy, may pass out or may have...
Last updated Sep 18, 2023 | Published on Jul 16, 2019
Intro on Alcoholism Alcohol is a dangerous drug because it’s incredibly accessible, socially acceptable, and its prevalence in the young adult, and even the teenage community. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, over 15 million adults...
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.