STEP Inc
(617) 720-0153
www.stepboston.org
131 Beverly Street
Boston MA 02114

Rehab Locator

Substance abuse treatment services
Services Provided: Substance abuse treatment
Type of Care: Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups: Men, Criminal justice clients

Self Help

Self help groups can complement and extend the effects of professional treatment. The most prominent self help groups are Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous. These help groups operate on the 12-step model. Most drug addiction treatment programs encourage patients to participate in self help group therapy during and after formal treatment. These groups can be particularly helpful during recovery, offering an added layer of community and social support to help people achieve and maintain abstinence and other healthy lifestyle behaviors over the course of a lifetime.

Follicle

A hair follicle is part of the skin that grows hair by packing old cells together. Attached to the follicle is a sebaceous gland, a tiny sebum-producing gland found everywhere except on the palms, lips and soles of the feet. The more sebaceous glands present, the thicker the density of the hair. Also attached to the follicle is a tiny bundle of muscle fiber called the arrector pili that is responsible for causing the follicle lissis to become more perpendicular to the surface of the skin, and causing the follicle to protrude slightly above the surrounding skin (piloerection). This process results in goose bumps (or goose flesh). Stem cells are located at the junction of the arrector and the follicle, and are principally responsible for the ongoing hair production during a process known as the Anagen stage. The average growth rate of healthy hair follicles on the scalp is .04 centimeters per day.

Laser Acne Treatment

Laser surgery has been in use for some time and reduces the scars left behind by acne, but doctors have done little research on lasers treatments for the prevention of acne. Doctors use the laser to address the following: to burn away the follicle sac from which hair grows; to burn away the sebaceous gland that produces oil; to induce oxygen in the bacteria, thereby killing them. Since lasers and intense pulsed light sources cause thermal damage to the skin, there are concerns that laser or intense pulsed light treatments for acne will induce hyperpigmented macules (spots) or cause long-term dryness of the skin. In the United States, the FDA has approved several companies, such as Candela Corp., to use a cosmetic lasers for the treatment of acne. However, efficacy studies have used very small sample sizes (fewer than 100 subjects) for periods of six months or less, and have shown contradictory results. Because laser treatment are relatively new, protocols remain subject to experimentation and revision, and treatment can be quite expensive. In addition, the company that produces some Smoothbeam laser devices recalled their products due to coolant failure, which had resulted in painful burn injuries to patients.

Executive Physical

Executive Physical offers busy executives an efficient, cost-effective way to manage their health and reduce medical absences. Thousands of executives from companies throughout the world participate in the Executive Health Programs. For corporate executives who understand the benefits of watching their health, many of the nation's top medical institutions offer "executive health care programs" tailored to their time-pressed needs. The comprehensive physical exams and lengthy physician consultations are conducted with an efficiency and attentiveness worthy of their high-powered clientele. IPA includes a comprehensive medical history review and physical exam by an internal medicine specialist and referrals to sub-specialists, as necessary. It includes a full range of preventive screening tests, a cardiovascular (heart) fitness evaluation. Tailoring the evaluation to the personal health needs and is strictly confidential. You may need to stay for more days if the initial health review identifies issues requiring follow-up. The program blends IPA well-known diagnostic expertise with the latest in preventive medicine. Many a previously undiscovered condition following an executive health exam has been successfully treated. IPA executive health doctors have extensive experience in evaluating health risk factors in healthy people and in people experiencing symptoms of illness or injury. They have access to all of the resources of the Mayo Clinic and can coordinate the care, if you have multiple health concerns.