Page 19 - Demo

ANABOLIC STEROIDS
Anabolic steroids are man-made substances similar to the human sex hormone testosterone. Testosterone is produced in greater quantity in males, and is responsible for many characteristics of the male gender. Anabolic steroids can cause both male and female bodies to build muscle faster than is otherwise possible. For this reason, they are prescribed by doctors to people with muscle-wasting diseases such as AIDS, as well as to males whose bodies do not produce enough testosterone naturally.
Anabolic steroid users are usually aware of the dangerous side effects of taking steroids. They ignore this knowledge because these side effects do not appear until after long-term use.
Anabolic steroids are illegal without a doctor’s prescription. However, many people acquire them illegally in order to exploit the muscle building effect to gain an edge in sports, or simply to look more muscular. Sports organizations around the world have barred the use of steroids by athletes since steroid use is unhealthy and it threatens to turn athletic competitions into science experi- ments. Nonetheless, steroid abuse continues.
• Liver damage and acute renal failure
• Pancreatitis and cancer
• Hypercalcemia — calcium buildup in the blood • Swelling of feet or ankles and aching joints
• Injury to tendons, ligaments and muscles
Anabolic steroids can be taken orally as a tablet or capsule, injected, or rubbed on the skin as a gel or cream. “Stacking” is taking more than one kind of steroid at a time. “Pyramiding” is increasing then decreasing the dosage in regular cycles. These techniques are intended to maximize results while giving the body some time to
recover. Studies have shown that animals will self-administer steroids when given the opportunity, just as they do with other
addictive drugs. Even though anabolic steroids
do not cause the same high as other drugs, individuals may persist in abusing steroids despite physical problems and negative effects on social relationships.
Individuals who abuse steroids can experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking them—including mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, reduced sex drive, and steroid cravings, all of which may contribute to continued abuse. One
of the most dangerous withdrawal symptoms is depression—when persistent, it can sometimes lead to suicide attempts. Research has shown that some steroid abusers turn to other drugs to counteract the negative effects of steroids.
How Are Steroids Abused?
Effects of Steroids
• Insomnia, depression and suicidal thoughts • Acne and jaundice
• Euphoria or violent, angry rampages
• High blood pressure
Use of Anabolic Steroids Develop Traits, Such As:
Females: Males :
• Growth of facial hair • • Changes in, or the
stopping of the •
menstrual cycle • • Enlargement of the
clitoris • • Deepening of the voice
• Reduction of the size of •
the breasts •
Shrinking of the testicles
Reduced sperm count Impotence and baldness
Difficulty or pain urinating
Development of breasts Enlarged prostate
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