Steroids

Steroids are generally man-made substances that mimic or simulate the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone is also a steroid. They are used to promote muscle growth and other male characteristics. These drugs are used to treat delayed puberty, stimulate appetite, treat impotence, or to help patients build muscle mass who are suffering from a variety of diseases. Steroids are found in tablet, liquid, gel, and cream form but can also be injected.

When a person uses steroids for a period of weeks or months and then stops for a short period time only to begin using again it is known as “cycling”. When a person combines more than one type of hormone to “maximize” the benefits, it is known as “stacking”. People using steroids are not looking for the euphoric high of opioids. However, long term use does have a direct impact upon the dopamine, serotonin and opioid receptors in the brain. It is not uncommon to see altered mood and changes in behavior as a direct result of steroid use.

Signs and Symptoms of Steroid Abuse
Steroids cause users to develop

Disproportionately Large Upper Torso
Extremely Low Body Fat
Acne
Excessive Facial or Body Hair
Restlessness
Anxiety
High Blood Pressure

Users may experience what is commonly referred to as “roid rage”, becoming easily frustrated, angry, argumentative to the point of violence, enrage in physical outbursts, or paranoid behavior. Other psychological shifts occur due to steroid abuse such as loss of interest in daily activities, and decrease in energy and sense of boredom, and a distorted sense of body image.

Physiological changes can produce enlarged breasts, shrunken testicles, lowered sperm count, and erectile dysfunction.
Women using steroids may experience

increased growth of facial and body hair,
male pattern balding,
development of an Adam’s apple,
deepening of voice,
abnormal menstruation and
an enlarged clitoris.

Serious long-term health effects include stunted growth in teenagers, infertility, liver damage, kidney damage, cancer, jaundice, fluid retention, high cholesterol, heart disease, and decreased joint flexibility.

Furthermore steroid abuse can cause elevated cholesterol levels, palpitations, stroke, anaphylactic and septic shock. The normal function of the adrenal glands, necessary for general well- being is interrupted with the regular use of steroids.

Abruptly stopping the use of steroids can pose health risks as the adrenal glands need time to return to normal functioning.

Cost of Steroid Abuse to Society
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that more than a half million 8th and 10th grade students are now using these dangerous drugs, and increasing numbers of high school seniors don’t believe steroids are risky. Another study indicated that 1,084,000 Americans, or 0.5 percent of the adult population, said that they had used anabolic steroids.

Symptoms and Signs of Steroid Withdrawal

Depression
Mood Swings
Suicidal Thoughts
Fatigue
Restlessness
Loss of Appetite
Insomnia
Vomiting
Abdominal Pain
Drop in Blood Pressure
Joint Pain
Muscle Aches
Fever
Mood Changes

With treatment, most of the effects of steroid use can be reversed. However, the deepening sound of the voice and other signs of masculinization in females may be irreversible. Stunted growth in teens is most likely permanent as well. Some sexual side effects can be overcome with hormonal therapy under the supervision of a medical professional. While it not recommended that a person avoid abruptly stopping the use of steroids, it should be noted that tapering off will not necessarily avoid withdrawal symptoms. The detoxification process can cause severe disturbances in the body’s electrolyte and fluid balance, which should be professionally managed. Mood swings also occur.

Slang terms for Steroids
Anadrol, Anatrofin, Anavar, Arnolds, Bolasterone, Deca-Duabolin, Delatestryl, Dep-testosterone, Dihdrolone, Durabolin, Dymethzine, Enoltestovis, Gym Candy, Maxibolin, Methyltestosterone, Primbolin, Primobolan, Proviron, Pumpers, Quinolone, Stackers, Sustanon 250, Therobolin, Trophobolene, Weight Trainers, Winstrol

It should be noted that the above list includes oral and injected forms of steroids, not those cut with other drugs and not those used for veterinary purposes.