Because I am
addicted to Steroids...
Overview
Anabolic steroids are synthetically produced
variants of the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone that are abused in an attempt to promote muscle growth, enhance
athletic or other physical performance, and improve physical appearance. Testosterone, nandrolone, stanozolol,methandienone,
and boldenone are some of the most frequently abused anabolic steroids.
Street names
Arnolds, Juice, Pumpers, Roids, Stackers, Weight
Gainers
Steroid Looks like
Steroids are available in tablets and capsules,
sublingual-tablets, liquid drops, gels, creams, transdermal patches, subdermal implant pellets, and water-based and oil-based
injectable solutions. The appearance of these products varies depending on the type and manufacturer.
Methods of Steroid Abuse
Steroids are ingested orally, injected intramuscularly,
or applied to the skin. The doses abused are often 10 to 100 times higher than the doses used to treat medical conditions.
Users typically take two or more anabolic steroids at the same time in a cyclic manner, believing that this will improve their
effectiveness and minimize the adverse effects.
Steroid's Affect on the mind
Case studies and scientific research indicate
that high doses of anabolic steroids may cause mood and behavioral effects. In some individuals steroid use can cause dramatic
mood swings, increased feelings of hostility, impaired judgment, and increased levels of aggression (often referred to as
roid rage). When users stop taking steroids, they may experience depression that may be severe enough to lead one to commit
suicide. Anabolic steroid use may also cause psychological dependence and addiction.
Steroid's Affect on the body
A wide range of adverse effects are associated
with the use or abuse of anabolic steroids. These effects depend on several factors (e.g., age, sex, the anabolic steroid
used, the amount used, and the duration of use). In adolescents, anabolic steroid use can stunt the ultimate height that an
individual achieves. In boys, steroid use can cause early sexual development, acne and stunted growth. In adolescent girls
and women, anabolic steroid use can induce permanent physical changes, such as deepening of the voice, increased facial and
body hair growth, menstrual irregularities, male pattern baldness, and the lengthening of the clitoris.
In men, anabolic steroid use can cause shrinkage
of the testicles, reduced sperm count, enlargement of the male breast tissue, sterility, and an increased risk of prostate
cancer. In both men and women, anabolic steroid use can cause high cholesterol levels, which may increase the risk of coronary
artery disease, strokes, and heart attacks. Anabolic steroid use can also cause acne and fluid retention. Oral reparations
of anabolic steroids, in particular, can damage the liver.
Abusers who inject steroids run the risk of contracting
various infections due to non-sterile injection techniques, sharing of contaminated needles, and the use of steroid preparations
manufactured in non-sterile environments. All these factors put users at risk for contracting viral infections such as HIV/AIDS
or hepatitis B or C, and bacterial infections at the sight of injection.
Abusers may also develop endocarditis, a bacterial
infection that causes a potentially fatal inflammation of the heart lining. sexual development, acne and stunted growth. In
adolescent girls and women, anabolic steroid use can induce permanent physical changes, such as deepening of the voice, increased
facial and body hair growth, menstrual irregularities, male pattern baldness, and the lengthening of the clitoris. In men,
anabolic steroid use can cause shrinkage of the testicles, reduced sperm count, enlargement of the male breast tissue, sterility,
and an increased risk of prostate cancer.
In both men and women, anabolic steroid use can
cause high cholesterol levels, which may increase the risk of coronary artery disease, strokes, and heart attacks. Anabolic
steroid use can also cause acne and fluid retention. Oral preparations of anabolic steroids, in particular, can damage the
liver. Abusers who inject steroids run the risk of contracting various infections due to non-sterile injection techniques,
sharing of contaminated needles, and the use of steroid preparations manufactured in non-sterile environments. All these factors
put users at risk for contracting viral infections such as HIV/AIDS or hepatitis B or C, and bacterial infections at the sight
of injection.
Abusers may also develop endocarditis, a bacterial
infection that causes a potentially fatal inflammation of the heart lining.
Drugs Causing Similar Effects
There are several substances that produce effects
similar to those of anabolic steroids. These include human growth hormone (hHG), clenbuterol, gonadotropins, and erythropoietin.
Steroid Overdose Effects
Anabolic steroids are not associated with overdoses.
The adverse effects a user would experience develop from the use of steroids over time.
Steroid's Legal status in the United States
Only a small number of anabolic steroids are
approved for either human or veterinary use. Steroids may be prescribed by a licensed physician for the treatment of testosterone
deficiency, delayed puberty, low red blood cell count, breast cancer, and tissue wasting resulting from AIDS.
Common places of origin
Most illicit steroids are smuggled into the U.S.
from abroad. Steroids are also illegally diverted from legitimate sources (theft or inappropriate prescribing). The Internet
is the most widely used means of buying and selling anabolic steroids. Steroids are also bought and sold at gyms, bodybuilding
competitions, and schools from teammates, coaches, and trainers.