Facts About…
SteroidsAnabolic-androgenic steroids are man-made substances related
to male sex hormones. Anabolic refers to muscle-building, and androgenic
refers to increased masculine characteristics. Steroids refers to the class of
drugs. These drugs are available legally only by prescription, to treat conditions that
occur when the body produces abnormally low amounts of testosterone, such as delayed
puberty and some types of impotence, and also to treat body wasting in patients with AIDS
and other diseases. Steroids are also used for treatment of certain diseases such as
specific types of anemia and some breast cancers. Non-medical use of steroids is strictly
illegal. Abuse of anabolic steroids can lead to serious health problems, some
irreversible. Today, athletes and others abuse anabolic steroids to enhance performance
and also to improve physical appearance.
Anabolic
steroids are taken orally or injected, typically in cycles of weeks or months, rather than
continuously, in patterns called cycling. Cycling involves taking multiple doses of
steroids over a specific period of time, stopping for a period, and starting again. In
addition, users frequently combine several different types of steroids to maximize their
effectiveness while minimizing negative effects, a process known as stacking.
Health Hazards
Reports indicate that
use of anabolic steroids promotes lean muscle mass, strength, and ability to train longer
and harder. There are several health hazards to steroid abuse, however, and some are
irreversible. In addition, people who inject anabolic steroids run the added risk of
contracting or transmitting hepatitis, which causes serious damage to the liver, or HIV,
the virus that leads to AIDS.
The major side effects
of anabolic steroid abuse include liver tumors and cancer, jaundice (yellowish
pig-mentation of skin, tissues, and body fluids), fluid retention, high blood pressure,
increases in LDL (bad cholesterol), and decreases in HDL (good cholesterol); others side
effects include kidney tumors, severe acne, and trembling. In addition, there are some
gender-specific side effects:
1.) For men—shrinking of
the testicles, reduced sperm count, infertility, baldness, development of breasts,
increased risk for prostate cancer.
2.) For women—growth of
facial hair, male-pattern baldness, changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle,
enlargement of the clitoris, deepened voice.
3.) For adolescents—growth
halted prematurely through premature skeletal maturation and accelerated puberty changes.
This means that adolescents risk remaining short the remainder of their lives if they take
anabolic steroids before the typical adolescent growth spurt.
Scientific research
also shows that aggression and other psychiatric side effects may result from abuse of
anabolic steroids. Many users report feeling good about themselves while on anabolic
steroids, but researchers report that extreme mood swings also can occur, including
manic-like symptoms leading to violence. Depression often is seen when the drugs are
stopped and may contribute to dependence on anabolic steroids. Researchers report also
that users may suffer from paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions, and
impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility.
Numerous health
hazards are associated with short-term use of steroids, many of which are reversible.
Long-term effects are largely unknown, but there is growing concern over possible
psychiatric effects. Researchers report that steroid use can cause severe mood swings
which can lead to violent behaviors. Users also may suffer from paranoid jealously,
extreme irritability, delusions, and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of
invincibility. Fatalities due to suicides, homicides, liver disease, heart attacks, and
cancer have been reported among illicit users. Further, because the true quality of off
the street steroids is not known, users place themselves at even greater risk for harm
if they choose to use these.
Pathfinder’s
Checklist
Major side effects include from consumption of steroids.
1.) Liver tumors
2.) Jaundice
3.) Fluid retention
4.) High blood pressure
5.) Severe acne
6.) Yellowing of skin and eyes
7.) Trembling
8.) Weakening of tendons which may result in tearing or rupture
Pathfinder’s
Checklist
Facts for Boys/Men
1.) Stunted growth due to damaged growth areas on ends
of bones
2.) Testicular shrinkage
3.) Reduced sperm count
4.) Infertility
5.) Baldness
6.) Development of breasts
Pathfinder’s
Checklist
Facts for Girls/Women
1.) Facial hair
2.) Irregular menstrual cycle
3.) Enlargement of the clitoris
4.) Deepened voice
5.) Weakens tendons
G.B.U.
Steve
Recover from
chemical dependency as well as its toxic impact on family members. Raise your
children to choose to be alcohol and other drugs
free. Learn how
to in Dr. Frisch’s, Psy.D. Recovery book series—From Insanity to Serenity.
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