McAlister Institute for Trt and Educ (MITE) McAlister Institute Group Home
(619) 442-0277
www.mcalisterinstitute.org
2315 Bar Bit
Spring Valley CA 91978

Rehab Locator

Substance abuse treatment services
Services Provided: Substance abuse treatment, Detoxification
Type of Care: Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less)
Special Programs/Groups: Adolescents

Effects of Steroids

The kind of binding the steroids have to hormones determines the immediate effects of steroids in the brain. Androgen (male sex hormone) and estrogen (female sex hormone) receptors on the surface of a cell attract steroids. The steroid–receptor complex affects the cell nucleus and can influence patterns of gene expression. Because of this, the acute effects of steroids in the brain are substantially different from those of other drugs. Steroids are not euphorigenic, and do not trigger rapid increases in the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is responsible for the high that often drives substance abuse behaviors. However, long term steroid use eventually influences the same brain pathways and affects chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin and opioid systems. Considering the combined effect of their complex direct and indirect actions, it is not surprising that Steroids can affect mood and behavior in significant ways.

Pimple

A pimple is a result of a blockage of the pores. A pimple can be a pustule or papule. Inside a pore are sebaceous glands that produce sebum. When the outer layers of skin shed (as they do continuously), the sebum secretion causes dead skin cells left behind to stick together. This causes a blockage in the pore, especially when the skin becomes thicker at puberty. The sebaceous glands produce more sebum, which builds up behind the blockage, and this sebum harbors various bacteria including the species Propionibacterium acnes. Stress often causes pimples.

Warts

A wart is generally a small, rough tumor, typically found on the hands and feet, but often in other locations. A wart can resemble a cauliflower or a solid blister. Warts are common, and develop from a viral infection, specifically by the human papillomavirus. Warts are contagious and spread by contact to skin of an infected person. It is also possible to get warts from using towels or other objects. Warts typically disappear after a few months but can last for years and may recur.