Addiction Rehab
in Louisiana

Matthew Engler is the Regional Executive Director for Avenues Recovery of Louisiana. After having grown up in Destrehan, Louisiana, Matthew joined the military where he spent his enlistment in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Upon getting sober he ultimately began working in the substance abuse treatment industry. He started his career as a Behavioral Health Technician and moved throughout multiple departments working multiple positions which gave him a wholistic understanding of what the clients need and how to best serve them. Matthew is a loving father to two young boys. He and his children spend their time fishing, camping, and enjoying the outdoors. Matthew believes in and exhibits his core values of family, hard work, dedication, and commitment. Through his work, Matthew hopes to have an impact on addiction, treatment, and recovery for the suffering addict and those close to them. His biggest passion in the workplace is to identify entry level employees as top-level leaders and aid them in the path to becoming that leader.

Susan Julius, MD, ABAM, ABFM, AAMRO, Medical Director, is a clinician, speaker, and teacher. She is board certified in Family and Addiction Medicine and Physical Therapy, and holds a special degree in urine drug testing analysis. Dr. Julius studied Physical Therapy at Cleveland State University, and attended Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. She trained for two years in General Surgery at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana, and completed a Family Practice residency at Ochsner Foundation Hospital, in Jefferson, Louisiana.

Dr. Julius incorporated her background in these areas, along with her understanding of the biology of addiction and her personal journey in recovery, to treat patients and families with this disease for over ten years. She worked at Choices of Louisiana, a methadone clinic in La Place, Louisiana, and was Medical Director for the City of New Orleans Homeless Clinic and Townsend Clinic, in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge. Currently, she is the Medical Director at Townsend Recovery Center in New Orleans.

Dr. Julius has been an expert consultant and keynote speaker for American Addiction Centers and was featured on NBC News, Fox News, Baton Rouge Business Report, and New Orleans Happy Hour Podcast. She worked with the New Orleans Re-Entry Program and is active in AA and served on the Local Action Committee for International Doctors in Alcoholics Anonymous. She is a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association, and the American Association of Medical Review Officers. She lives in New Orleans with her husband and three dogs and loves to swim, garden, and operate her vacation rental.

Robert R. Fezekas II LAC, LCSW Clinical Director of Avenues Covington, has been working in the field of addiction and mental health for over 10 years. His passion for working with those who suffer with substance abuse disorders stems from his own recovery journey!

After completing treatment in 2009, he immediately entered college at Southern University at New Orleans, where he graduated with honors with both his Bachelor’s of Science in Substance Abuse and master's degree in Social Work. Rob has had various roles throughout his career, such as recovery support staff, counselor, Director of IOP, Director of Social Services, and now Clinical Director here at Avenues.

He has worked closely with multiple court systems and Veterans' Affairs to customize evidence-based programming to best treat their clients.
Within his community in St. Bernard Parish, he works closely with community leaders to advocate for prevention, treatment, and recovery resources. Rob does his community work through a non-profit group he helped found named St. Bernard Recovery Awareness.

Robert believes that every client has the potential to recover and looks forward to working with every client that enters his Avenues facility!

Saudi Lateef, an accomplished administrator hailing from the vibrant city of New Orleans, LA, has forged a remarkable path in her educational and professional journey. Her pursuit of knowledge led her to Hunter College in New York and the University of Phoenix, where she earned an Associate's degree in Health Care Administration.

Saudi's unceasing commitment to personal and professional growth is evident as she prepares to embark on a new academic endeavor. She is set to enroll at UNO in the upcoming fall, with her sights set on earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Her career in addiction treatment was born out of a profound passion for witnessing the incredible transformations that occur in her clients. Saudi finds deep satisfaction in being part of a field that allows her to witness firsthand the profound positive impact of treatment on individuals and their families. Her dedication to giving back to her community is unwavering, particularly when it comes to assisting those who have lost their hope and will to live. While her journey into addiction treatment was not initially planned, Saudi has come to adore her career, her clients, and the privilege of collaborating with like-minded individuals who share her deep commitment to helping others.

Beyond her professional life, Saudi treasures her family, holding them close to her heart. She finds joy in the art of cooking, takes pleasure in watching classic movies, and seizes every opportunity to explore new horizons through travel. Her multifaceted life reflects her unwavering dedication to her career, her profound love for her family, and her enthusiasm for life's culinary, cinematic, and adventurous pleasures.