Anabolic+Steroids

Steroids
[|Steroids]

Steroids are a synthetically produced variant of testosterone, which is a hormone that naturally occurs in both males and females. Steroids were first developed to treat delayed puberty, some types of impotence, and wasting of the body caused by HIV or other infectious diseases. The [|abuse of steroids]  by athletes and body builders began in the 1930s when scientists found out that steroids stimulated muscle growth in lab animals. Various professional sports players, ranging from football players to those participating in the Olympic Games have commonly used steroids. Steroids have been associated with a number of side effects, from physical to mental changes. Many effects can be reversed when the steroid use is stopped, but a long amount of steroid use can lead to long-term health problems such as cancer, cardiovascular problems, and liver diseases. Some [|physical side effects]  that can result from steroid use include the growth of breast tissue in men, extreme acne on the face, chest, and back, increased facial hair growth in both men and women, and a deepening of voice in both men and women and several others. Steroid use also leads to many [|psychological effects] . These effects are depression, reduced sex drive, loss of appetite, increased irritability, and aggression. Steroids are a synthetically produced variant of testosterone, which is a hormone that naturally occurs in both males and females. Steroids were first developed to treat delayed puberty, some types of impotence, and wasting of the body caused by HIV or other infectious diseases. The [|abuse of steroids]  by athletes and body builders began in the 1930s when scientists found out that steroids stimulated muscle growth in lab animals. **Males** One of the more disturbing effects of steroid use for males is that the body begins to produce less of its own testosterone. As a result, the testicles may begin to shrink. Following is a list of some of the other effects of steroid use for males:
 * Reduced sperm count
 * Impotence
 * Increase in nipple and breast size (gynecomastia)
 * <span style="color: rgb(57, 147, 239)">Enlarged prostate (gland that mixes fluid with sperm to form semen)

<span style="color: rgb(244, 139, 194)">Females
<span style="color: rgb(244, 139, 194)">Since steroids act as a male hormone, females may experience the following side effects: <span style="color: rgb(244, 139, 194)"><span style="color: rgb(8, 7, 8)">
 * <span style="color: rgb(244, 139, 194)">Reduced breast size
 * <span style="color: rgb(244, 139, 194)">Enlarged clitoris (a very sensitive part of the genitals)
 * <span style="color: rgb(244, 139, 194)">Increase in facial and body hair
 * <span style="color: rgb(244, 139, 194)">Deepened voice
 * <span style="color: rgb(244, 139, 194)">Menstrual problems

<span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Possible side effects for males and females include the following:
 * ===<span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">For both sexes ===
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">High blood pressure and heart disease
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Liver damage and cancers
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Stroke and blood clots
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Urinary and bowel problems, such as diarrhea
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Headaches, aching joints, and muscle cramps
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Nausea and vomiting
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Sleep problems
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Increased risk of ligament and tendon injuries
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Severe acne, especially on face and back
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Baldness

<span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Emotional effects[[image:http://www.cobrabrigade.com/images/steroids.jpg width="441" height="534" align="right" caption="This is your brain..."]]
<span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Steroids also can have the following effects on the mind and behavior: HOME
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">"Roid rage" - severe, aggressive behavior that may result in violence, such as fighting or destroying property
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Severe mood swings
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Hallucinations - seeing or hearing things that are not really there
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Paranoia - extreme feelings of mistrust and fear
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Anxiety and panic attacks
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">Depression and thoughts of suicide
 * <span style="color: rgb(248, 109, 32)">An angry, hostile, or irritable mood
 * Harmful effects of steroids:

**Overview** Anabolic steroids were developed in the late 1930s primarily to treat hypogonadism, a condition in which the testes do not produce sufficient testosterone for normal growth, development, and sexual functioning. The primary medical uses of these compounds are to treat delayed puberty, some types of impotence, and wasting of the body caused by HIV infection or other diseases. During the 1930s, scientists discovered that anabolic steroids could facilitate the growth of skeletal muscle in laboratory animals. This led to abuse of these compounds by bodybuilders and weightlifters and then by athletes in other sports. Anabolic steroids can be taken orally, injected intramuscularly, or rubbed on the skin when in the form of gels or creams. These drugs are often used in patterns called cycling, which involves taking multiple doses of steroids over a specific period of time, stopping for a period, and starting again. Users also frequently combine several different types of steroids in a process known as stacking. By doing this, users believe that the different steroids will interact to produce an effect on muscle size that is greater than the effects of using each drug individually. Another mode of steroid use is "pyramiding." This is a process in which users slowly escalate steroid use (increasing the number of drugs used at one time and/or the dose and frequency of one or more steroids) reaching a peak amount at mid-cycle and gradually tapering the dose toward the end of the cycle.

Results from the 2007 Monitoring the Future Study, which surveys students in eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades, show that 1.5% of eighth graders, 1.8% of tenth graders, and 2.2% of twelfth graders reported using steroids at least once in their lifetimes. Regarding the ease by which one can obtain steroids, 17.0% of eighth graders, 27.7% of tenth graders, and 40.1% of twelfth graders surveyed in 2006 reported that steroids were "fairly easy" or "very easy" to obtain. Furthermore, 57.4% of twelfth graders surveyed reported that using steroids was a "great risk” during 2007. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also conducts a survey of high school students throughout the United States, the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). Nearly 5% of all high school students surveyed by CDC in 2005 reported lifetime use of steroid pills/shots without a doctor's prescription. Percent of Students Reporting Lifetime Steroid Use, 2001–2005 Approximately 1.8% of young adults (ages 19–28) surveyed in 2006 reported lifetime use of steroids. Percent of Young Adults Reporting Steroid Use, 2005–2006
 * Extent of Use**
 * Percent of Students Reporting Steroid Drug Use, 2006-2007**
 * ~  ||||~ **8th Grade** ||||~ **10th Grade** ||||~ **12th Grade** ||
 * ^  ||~ **2006** ||~ **2007** ||~ **2006** ||~ **2007** ||~ **2006** ||~ **2007** ||
 * ~ **Past month** || 0.5% || 0.4% || 0.6% || 0.5% || 1.1% || 1.0 ||
 * ~ **Past year** || 0.9 || 0.8 || 1.2 || 1.1 || 1.8 || 1.4 ||
 * ~ **Lifetime** || 1.6 || 1.5 || 1.8 || 1.8 || 2.7 || 2.2 ||
 * ~  ||~ **2001** ||~ **2003** ||~ **2005** ||
 * ~ **9th grade** || 5.8% || 7.1% || 4.8% ||
 * ~ **10th grade** || 4.9 || 6.1 || 3.9 ||
 * ~ **11th grade** || 4.3 || 5.6 || 3.7 ||
 * ~ **12th grade** || 4.3 || 4.9 || 3.3 ||
 * ~ **Total** || 5.0 || 6.1 || 4.0 ||
 * ~  ||~ **2005** ||~ **2006** ||
 * ~ **Past month** || 0.1% || 0.1% ||
 * ~ **Past year** || 0.5 || 0.3 ||
 * ~ **Lifetime** || 1.8 || 1.8 ||

Anabolic steroid abuse has been associated with a wide range of adverse side effects ranging from some that are physically unattractive, such as acne and breast development in men, to others that are life threatening. Most of the effects are reversible if the abuser stops taking the drug, but some can be permanent. In addition to the physical effects, anabolic steroids can also cause increased irritability and aggression. Some of the health consequences that can occur in both males and females include liver cancer, heart attacks, and elevated cholesterol levels. In addition to this, steroid use among adolescents may prematurely stop the lengthening of bones resulting in stunted growth. People who inject steroids also run the risk of contracting or transmitting hepatitis or HIV. Some steroid abusers experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug. These withdrawal symptoms include mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, reduced sex drive, and depression. This depression can lead to suicide attempts, and if left untreated, can persist for a year or more after the abuser stops taking the drugs.
 * Health Effects**

Illicit anabolic steroids are often sold at gyms, competitions, and through mail operations after being smuggled into this country. The most common sources for obtaining steroids for illegal use are Internet purchases and smuggling them into the U.S. from other countries such as Mexico and European countries. These countries do not require a prescription for the purchase of steroids, making it easier to smuggle them. In addition to this, steroids are also illegally diverted from U.S. pharmacies or synthesized in clandestine laboratories.
 * Production & Trafficking**

Concerns over a growing illicit market and prevalence of abuse combined with the possibility of harmful long-term effects of steroid use led Congress to place anabolic steroids into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in 1991. It is therefore illegal to possess or sell anabolic steroids without a valid prescription. Some States have also implemented additional fines and penalties for illegal use of anabolic steroids. The International Olympic Committee, National Collegiate Athletic Association and many professional sports leagues (including the Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Football League, and National Hockey League), have banned the use of steroids by athletes due to their potentially dangerous side effects and because they give the user an unfair advantage.
 * Legislation**


 * Street Terms**
 * ~ **Street/Slang Terms for Steroids** ||
 * Arnolds ||
 * Gym Candy ||
 * Juice ||
 * Pumpers ||
 * Stackers ||
 * Weight Trainers ||