Anabolic steroids are popular with athletes who want to increase their muscle mass. When prescribed by a medical professional, anabolic steroids can help rehabilitate after surgery, helping to repair muscle weakness and treat anaemia.
Anabolic steroids mimic testosterone which is a male sex hormone. They increase protein synthesis in the body’s cells which increases muscle tissue.
Anabolic steroids, when used in conjunction with a strict exercise regime will help build muscle mass, allowing the trainer to exercise harder and for longer. They will also help rehabilitate the body after strenuous exercise.
Sports players who use the drug sometimes consume 10 – 100 times the medical dose.
Anabolic Steroids addiction
Anabolic steroids can be addictive. Users may be unwilling to give up continued use despite the side effects. Steroids are therefore considered psychologically addictive meaning users have an increased desire to use them to maintain their results.
Anabolic Steroids laws
Anabolic steroids are a Class C drug, available only with a medical prescription. Possession for personal use is not a crime however, supplying, importing or possessing with the intent to supply is illegal and could lead to 14 years in prison and a fine.
How Anabolic Steroids is used
Anabolic steroids are most commonly used in either tablet form or a liquid form which is injected.
Contamination risk
Sometimes counterfeit steroids are sold which contain no active ingredients and have no effect. There have been many cases where people have been sold veterinary steroids intended for the use on animals.
Side Effects / Health Risks of Anabolic Steroids
The most common side effect of anabolic steroids is violent mood swings. Otherwise calm people have been known to become exceedingly aggressive and even violent with the use of steroids.
If you are female, the use of steroids can lead to changes in sex drive, the growth of facial hair, a deeper man like voice, the shrinking of your breasts, an enlarged clitoris, acne and menstrual problems.
As a male you can expect erection problems, growing of breasts, acne, shrinking testicles and the possibility of becoming sterile.
Injecting any drug is a risk. HIV and hepatitis are viral problems that stem from shared and dirty needle use.
Steroids can give you high blood pressure and increase the risk of liver failure, stroke or heart attack.
Paranoia, sleeplessness and confusion are all risks of steroid use.
Mixing the D’s what to avoid
Mixing any drugs is an extremely risky business. Anabolic steroids when taken in conjunction with other substances places intense pressure on the heart and other organs as steroids can increase your blood pressure like many other drugs.
Anabolic Steroids overdose
There are mixed messages about overdosing on steroids. Some say prolonged use can lead to ill health that can lead to death.
Anabolic Steroids withdrawal
Steroids can become psychologically addictive. Withdrawal can therefore be a difficult process as the desire to use becomes hard to overcome. Physical symptoms of withdrawal includes headaches, lethargy and depression.
Anabolic Steroids drug test
There isn’t an individual drug test available, but you can test for a number of drugs at once.
Anabolic steroids are popular with athletes who want to increase their muscle mass. When prescribed by a medical professional, anabolic steroids can help rehabilitate after surgery, helping to repair muscle weakness and treat anaemia.
