Recovery is a long journey that affects everyone a little differently. Learn more about what to expect and what resources are available to everyone involved.
I work with John at Amethyst and I was thrilled to have the chance to interview him for this blog piece. He is incredibly kind, humble and has been a huge inspiration to me. He works tirelessly to help those that are still suffering and I am proud to call him my...
My name is Justin Greenberg and I have been clean since November 13th, 2015. I was born and raised in Stoughton, Massachusetts. My family was really close when I was growing up and my parents have been married for over thirty years. My father coached my youth...
Addicts and alcoholics are categorized in the DSM-5 (diagnostic statistical manual of mental health disorders) as people suffering from substance use disorder. According to the research, drug abusers and alcoholics have completely different brain chemistry than say, a...
Teen drug abuse is much more common than most parents would like to believe. As children reach teenage years, they become more likely to embark on a journey of self-discovery. This might involve experiences that involve experimenting with various drugs, from marijuana...
It’s Thanksgiving, which means that whichever holiday you celebrate in December is right around the corner. This can be a treacherous time of year for those in recovery; going into the holidays without a solid relapse prevention plan might put you right on the path to...
For centuries, cultures across the world have used meditation for a number of purposes. Some practitioners seek enlightenment, while others simply wish to increase their sense of present-moment awareness. Many believe that calming the mind can help us to seek answers,...
In active addiction, we rarely needed an excuse to let loose and party. Certain occasions, however, allowed us to go out and tie one on without fear of social stigma. Halloween was no exception. We were already accustomed to wearing masks, pretending to be people we...
Our brain chemistry plays a major role in the development of addiction, so it stands to reason that it should play a role in recovery as well. A primary way of using your brain to enhance your recovery is by activating the parasympathetic nervous system which provides...
“How rare and wonderful is that flash of a moment when we realize we have discovered a friend.” —William E. Rothschild After a few years in addiction, we often come to value more than the substance itself. In many ways, we become equally addicted—perhaps even more...
Dealing with a loved one’s drug addiction is never easy. When that person is your parent, it is even more difficult to acknowledge and accept. Many children of an addicted parent do not know what to do, where to turn, or how to help. It is established that addiction...
Substance abuse has become a global health crisis and major epidemic, to say the least. It affects anyone from any demographic, age, geographical location, economic status and ethnic background. We sometimes put athletes on a pedestal, but they are as human as anyone...
Society has struggled with substance abuse, addiction and its consequences throughout history. Despite the fact that opioid addiction has reached crisis levels, many middle-aged and older adults who face this epidemic still go unnoticed. In fact, the rates of opioid...
At the end of most AA meetings, we join hands and recite the Lord’s Prayer. Some people find this appalling, feeling as if it forces us to accept a specific definition of a Higher Power. Certainly, AA tells us many times to interpret the spiritual world in a manner...
Table of Contents Steve-O, famous from MTV’s Jackass show, is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. He has been sober for well over nine years. He is also a role model for many drug and alcohol users seeking to turn their...
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.