Suboxone is a popular brand name medication that consists of the active ingredients buprenorphine and naloxone. It’s used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorder (SUD), especially for opioids like heroin and painkillers. However, MAT should...
Last updated Sep 8, 2021 | Published on Aug 24, 2021
Suboxone is a brand-name medication used in opioid substitution therapy, a specific subset of medication-assisted therapy (MAT). Evidence has shown that it can decrease rates of opioid overdose, increase rehab retention, and reduce the need for emergency detox. But as...
Last updated Aug 1, 2023 | Published on Apr 22, 2021
What is Medical Detox? Medical detox, also referred to as medically assisted detox, is the use of medication in a controlled and monitored environment to flush drugs from the body. It is also particularly useful in managing short-term drug withdrawal symptoms, which...
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 Jul 20, 2023 | Published on Mar 9, 2018
Alcohol detox is one of the first steps to recovery. It makes it easier to manage a drug addiction, and also curbs cravings, so the recovery process becomes smoother. The detox process can control mood swings and also lessen the intensity of alcohol withdrawals. It...
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
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 20, 2023 | Published on Feb 11, 2018
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...
Last updated Jul 31, 2023 | Published on Nov 13, 2017
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...
Last updated Apr 26, 2023 | Published on Oct 27, 2017
In 1943, psychologist Abraham Maslow published what would ultimately become his most well-known theory. This theory took shape in an essay entitled “A Theory of Human Motivation,” and built upon many pre-existing studies in developmental psychology to determine the...
Last updated Jan 24, 2023 | Published on Oct 17, 2017
Clients who begin their recovery in treatment gain many vital tools, but they also face a major transition period upon discharge. After several weeks of continuous supervision, they must learn to manage their own program of recovery without neglecting the...
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.