Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones that are derived from testosterone. They are also known as Anabolic-androgenic steroids (A-AS), and are not the same as the steroids which are used to treat conditions like eczema and asthma. Product names include Sustanon 250, Deca-Durabolin, Dianabol, Anavar and Stanozol. They are taken orally or injected into a muscle. They should never be injected into a vein. They come in tablets, phials and multi-dose bottles.

They are medically prescribed to treat chronic debilitating diseases, but are also used by bodybuilders and athletes seeking increased muscle mass and strength, or to train harder. Use is banned in sport now. Some people who take them do so just to look good, since they promote muscle and bone growth.

There are many side effects, which depend on the specific drug taken, the dosage level and frequency, the duration of use, the method of ingestion, and the age and health of the user. Steroid use has the potential to effect a number of body systems and organs including the reproductive system, the muscle and skeletal system, the cardiovascular system, the kidneys, liver, and the skin.

These side-effects include excess fluid in body tissues, muscle spasms, nervous tension, increased urine output, headache, dizziness, nausea, euphoria, skin rash, inflammation of the urethra, scrotal pain and irritability.

Heavy, regular use of steroids can lead to many problems. In men, these include shrunken testicles, the development of breasts and acne as well as problems with sex (can't get it up). Some of these effects are reversible when use is stopped. With woman, similar use can lead to the development of male features such as body hair and a deep voice as well as enlargement of the clitoris, which don't go away when use is stopped. Young people who are not fully grown can stunt their growth through use.

There are also psychological effects: Aggressive wired up behaviour - the "roid rage", mood swings and increased or decreased sex drive. There is a reason to believe that regular use of Anabolic Steroids is dependency producing, and that withdrawal symptoms can be experienced when trying to stop. Users might also experience manic and/or depressive effects.

 

References:

1) Classroom Psychopharmacology
http://www.unl.edu/tcweb/pharm/drugs/steriods/steriods.html

2) Institute for the Study of Drug Dependence, London

 

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