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Anabolic Steroids

The male hormone, testosterone, is an anabolic steroid. The effects of the other anabolic steroids are often very similar to the effects of testosterone. The anabolic steroids can be used in medicine to treat anaemia and muscle weakness after surgery. They shouldn't be confused with the other main kind of steroids, corticosteroids, which are used to treat other medical conditions, such as asthma, eczema and skin inflammations.

The effects

  • Sports enthusiasts claim steroids make them able to train harder.
  • If taken during a strict exercise regime, they can help build muscle mass.
  • They can also help users recover from strenuous exercise faster.

Chances of getting hooked

A user can quickly become psychologically dependent (meaning you develop an increased desire to keep taking the drug even in spite of possible harmful effects).

After stopping, withdrawal symptoms can include headaches, lethargy and depression.

The law

Anabolic steroids are Class C drugs to be sold only by pharmacists with a doctor's prescription. It's legal to possess or import steroids as long as they're in the form of a medicinal product for personal use. But possession or importing with intent to supply (which includes giving them to friends) is illegal and could lead to 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine.

Appearance and use

Anabolic steroids can be bought as tablets to be swallowed or as a liquid which is injected.

They're often used by bodybuilders, athletes and other sports people because of the performance enhancing effects. Some people at times consume 10-100 times the medical dose.

Purity

Many counterfeit anabolic steroids which are sold don't have the same effect.  In fact, users can end up paying for tablets that have no active ingredient at all. Also, it's not unusual for anabolic steroids intended for veterinary use to be sold.

The risks

  • Users claim the drug makes them feel more aggressive. Normally calm people can become irritable and aggressive, or even violent, and they can experience mood swings.
  • If you're young, abuse of anabolic steroids can stop you growing properly.
  • Injecting any drug can cause vein damage, ulcers and gangrene particularly with dirty needles. Shared needles and other injecting works can help the spread of HIV and hepatitis virus infections.
  • If you're male, regular use can lead to erection problems, growing of breasts, becoming sterile and developing acne. It can also make your testicles shrink.
  • If you're female, you can get acne, extra facial hair, a deep voice, shrinking breasts, an enlarged clitoris, an increased risk of menstrual problems and changes in sex drive.
  • You could experience dramatic mood swings.
  • You may find that you start getting paranoid and confused, along with having trouble sleeping.
  • Steroids can also give you high blood pressure and increase your risk of liver failure, stroke or heart attack.