Steroids

Street Names

Roids, Steds, Asteroids, Arnolds, Gear, Juice, Liquid gold, Pump ups, Vets' Drugs, Caseys

 

Brief Description

Anabolic steroids are a synthetic substance associated to the male hormone testosterone. They where developed in the 1960s and are of great importance in biology and their derivatives are of enormous value in medicine and chemistry. But some athletes abuse of anabolic steroids can lead to very serious health problems, some of which are irreversible.

 

How can you tell if someone is using Steroids?

Some of the sign might include:

 

How are Steroids used?

Steroids may be injected intramuscularly, taken orally or massaged on the skin as a cream.

 

What are Anabolic Agents?

Anabolic and androgenic steroids (AAS) are substances that have both anabolic and androgenic properties. Anabolic effects include an acceleration of muscle and bone growth. Androgenic effects are associated with the development of the male reproductive system.

 

Effects

Steroids increase protein combination, encouraging growth of muscles and bones. They decrease the recovery time needed between training which enables athletes to train more thorough for longer periods.

 

Physical side effects

 

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Effects in men can include:

 

Effects in Women can include:

 

Effects on male and female adolescents include:

Including all the above. Steroids can permanently stunt the growth of developing adolescents.

 

Psychological (effecting the mind) effects can include:

If you inject anabolic steroids and share needles, you are at risk of getting blood transmitted infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS.

 

What are the Laws on Steroids in Australia?

The possession, use and supply of steroids, other than by prescription from a medical practitioner, dentist or veterinarian is illegal throughout Australia as is unauthorised importation

The use of steroids by competitors in most sports are banned.

 

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Why do people use Steroids?

Some users are taking steroids because they believe it is the only way to develop muscle, strength and performance. Steroid users generally fall within four categories these include:

 

Above groups include some people who have a behavioural syndrome (muscle dysmorphia) in which a person has a distorted image of his or her body. Men with this condition think that they look small and weak, even if they are large and muscular. Likewise, women with the syndrome think that they look fat and flabby, even though they are actually lean and muscular.

 

Withdrawal symptoms

Steroid withdrawal symptoms can imitate many other medical problems and be both psychological and physiological.

Withdrawal symptoms can include:

 

Women can maybe include:

 

What treatments are effective for steroid abuse?

Not many studies to date of treatments for anabolic steroid abuse have been conducted. Current knowledge is supported mainly on the experiences of a small number of physicians who have worked with patients suffering steroid withdrawal. The physicians have found that supportive therapy is sufficient in some cases. Patients are educated about what they may experience during withdrawal and are evaluated for suicidal thoughts.

If symptoms are severe or prolonged, medications or hospitalization may be needed.

Some medications that have been used for treating steroid withdrawal restore the hormonal system after its disruption by steroid abuse. Other medications target specific withdrawal symptoms for example, antidepressants to treat depression, and analgesics for head-aches and muscle and joint pains.

Some patients require assistance beyond simple treatment of withdrawal symptoms and are treated with behavioural therapies.

 

Other drugs frequently
used by steroid users or steroid abuse?

Some of the other drugs that maybe used include:

 

 

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