Page last reviewed: 30 August Next review due: 30 August Anabolic steroid misuse. Are anabolic steroids illegal? Why people misuse anabolic steroids Anabolic steroids can be used as performance-enhancing drugs that increase muscle mass and decrease fat, as well as causing many undesirable effects. How anabolic steroids are taken Anabolic steroids are usually injected into the muscle or taken by mouth as tablets, but they also come as creams or gels that are applied to the skin.
Users might: Take the drugs for a period of time and then stop for a rest period before starting again. This is known as "cycling". Taking more than 1 type of anabolic steroid at a time, known as "stacking" — which they believe makes them work better. Do a combination of both stacking and cycling known as "pyramiding" — where they start off taking a low dose of 1 or more anabolic steroids, and then increase the dose over time up to a maximum dose.
They then stop taking them for a rest period to give the body a break before starting the cycle again. Side effects of anabolic steroids Regularly taking anabolic steroids can lead to physical and psychological changes in both men and women, as well as potentially dangerous medical conditions. Sharing needles As anabolic steroids are often injected, there are risks associated with sharing needles. These are the same risks associated with recreational drug use, and include: damage to veins, leading to ulcers or gangrene hepatitis B infection hepatitis C infection HIV transmission Addiction Like many other substances, anabolic steroids are addictive.
Coming off anabolic steroids suddenly can result in withdrawal symptoms that include: depression and apathy feelings of anxiety difficulty concentrating insomnia anorexia decreased sex drive extreme tiredness fatigue headaches muscle and joint pain Getting help You should see your GP if you think you're addicted to anabolic steroids.
The athletes assume this increased strength and training will translate into better athletic performance. Most athletes taking anabolic steroids are taking very large doses with no thought as to the potential adverse side effects. They ignore the possibility of long-term problems relating to hypertension, liver dysfunction, and atherosclerosis for what they see as the immediate performance benefits. Others such as bodybuilders, law enforcement officers, fitness buffs, and body guards usually take steroids for extended periods of time.
The length of time that steroids stay in the body varies from a couple of days to more than 12 months. There is increasing concern regarding possible serious health problems that are associated with the abuse of steroids, including both short-term and long-term side effects.
The short-term adverse physical effects of anabolic steroid abuse are fairly well known. Short-term side effects may include sexual and reproductive disorders, fluid retention, and severe acne. The short-term side effects in men are reversible with discontinuation of steroid use. Masculinizing effects seen in women, such as deepening of the voice, body and facial hair growth, enlarged clitoris, and baldness are not reversible.
The long-term adverse physical effects of anabolic steroid abuse in men and in women, other than masculinizing effects, have not been studied, and as such, are not known. However, it is speculated that possible long-term effects may include adverse cardiovascular effects such as heart damage and stroke. Under this legislation, anabolic steroids are defined as any drug or hormonal substance chemically and pharmacologically related to testosterone other than estrogens, progestins, and corticosteroids that promotes muscle growth.
The possession or sale of anabolic steroids without a valid prescription is illegal. If this is the second felony drug offense, the maximum period of imprisonment and the maximum fine both double. While the above listed penalties are for federal offenses, individual states have also implemented fines and penalties for illegal use of anabolic steroids.
Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Football League NFL , and National Hockey League have banned the use of steroids by athletes, both because of their potential dangerous side effects and because they give the user an unfair advantage.
The IOC and professional sports leagues use urine testing to detect steroid use both in and out of competition. A variety of non-steroid drugs are commonly found within the illicit anabolic steroid market. These substances are primarily used for one or more of the following reasons: 1 to serve as an alternative to anabolic steroids; 2 to alleviate short-term adverse effects associated with anabolic steroid use; or 3 to mask anabolic steroid use.
He was also asked to pay back any earnings he had made in his athletic career during the time he was taking the drugs. The American track and field athlete won 3 gold medals and 2 bronze medals at the Olympics but was later stripped of the titles after admitting to steroid use. She was also given a two-year ban from track and field competitions by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
The Tour de France cyclist won the race seven years in a row - but had those victories stripped from him after it was found he had been taking drugs to help his performance during this time.
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