CETPA Inc
(770) 662-0249
www.cetpa.org
6020 Dawson Boulevard
Suite I
Norcross GA 30093

Rehab and Insurance Services

Mix of mental health and substance abuse services
Services Provided: Substance abuse treatment, Detoxification, Buprenorphine Services
Type of Care: Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups: Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men, DUI/DWI offenders

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.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder that causes the joint bone and cartilage tissue that protects joints to wear away. Osteoarthritis most often affects the joints of the knees, hips and lower back.
Extra weight may place extra pressure on joints and cartilage, causing them to wear away. In addition, people with more body fat may have higher blood levels of substances that cause inflammation. Inflammation at the joints may raise the risk for osteoarthritis.
Weight loss of at least five percent of body weight may decrease stress on the knees, hips and lower back, and lessen inflammation in the body. If a person has osteoarthritis, losing weight may help improve these symptoms.