Steroids and their Effects
By: Lori Kress

Introduction
 Many of us have seen movies that focus on steroid abusers but were not aware of the numerous negative effects on the human body.  Before doing research on this subject I too was not aware of the extensive damage steroids can cause and would have been unable to identify clues of a steroid abuser.
 According to Brad Andress, the strength coach for the Colorado Rockies, the number of major league players using steroids is steadily increasing from the present thirty-percent.  Many steroid users are young athletes who hope to build muscle, enhance performance, and improve appearance. Many of these individuals are not aware the negative aspects greatly outweigh the positives.
 To benefit myself as well as others, I decided to research and create the following article that focuses on the following:

· What are Steroids?
· A Brief History of Steroids
· The negative effects
· How steroids are obtained illegally
· The different ways to use steroids

What are Steroids?
 According to the NIDA website, the proper term for steroids is anabolic – androgenic steroids, due to their effects on the body both anabolically and androgenically.  Anabolic androgenic steroids are derived from the male hormone, testosterone.  The adrogenic portion of the drug allows the body to retain protein, which gives it the “muscle-building” effect and allows for the growth of muscles, bones, and skin.  The adrogenic portion also causes the voice to deepen, facial and body hair to increase, muscle mass to development and an occasional fit of rage.  The previous side effects that I have stated are only a few that steroid abusers must endure to reach their “perfect-body”.

The History of Steroids
 Anabolic-adrogenic steroids were first used in the “1930s to treat hypogonadism, a condition in which the testes do not produce sufficient testosterone for normal growth, development, and sexual functioning”.  (source)   During this time, scientists also discovered that steroids aided the development of muscle in animals. These findings soon led to use among bodybuilders, then quickly followed by athletes.  Since this time people have been obtaining steroids for illegal use through the black market or by the Internet.

The Negative Effects of Steroids
 By using steroids individuals risk “a variety of unwanted side effects, some of which are irreversible.”  ((http://www.nida.nih.gov/ResearchReports/Steroids/anabolicsteroids2.html#what). The increased muscle mass within the body may upset the internal balance, when the body begins to eliminate the remaining steroids that are in the body.  Steroids may cause several negative side effects:
· Stunted growth in adolescents
· Continuous headaches
· Bone Pain
· Nausea and
· Changes in Bowel and Urinary Patterns
Steroids affect both the male and female physique.  Men may become infertile, develop breasts, and the testicles may shrink. Women may experience enlargement of the clitoris and the growth of excessive body hair.  Steroids may also affect the cardiovascular system as well as the liver and may impair the kidneys.
 Steroids may also cause psychiatric effects, which include “severe mood swings, manic episodes, depression, paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions and impaired judgment”. http://www.tcada.state.tx.us/research/facts/steroids.html
Users may continue to use steroids because they may experience withdrawal symptoms.

How are Steroids Used?
 Steroids are often smuggled into the United States and then synthesized in homemade labs to be sold to American citizenx illegally, either on the black market or over the Internet.  They are often taken with other drugs, because abusers believe this will enhance the effect of the drug.  This is known as “stacking”. Combining steroids with other drugs, including depressants, pain killers, and anti-inflammatory drugs, “off-set” the side effects but in fact this method often increases the chances of adverse reactions.  Steroid abusers follow six to twelve week cycles alternating their use of the steroids.  This is done to avoid the need for larger amounts to gain the “muscle-building” effect.
 Steroids can be taken by mouth in tablet form or can be injected intramuscularly.  Usually these steroids are taken in doses 10 to 100 times more than prescribed for medical uses.  These overdoses are the main reason health issues arise among steroid abusers.
 I have previously stated the negative side effects of steroids but doctors prescribe steroids to enhance the production of testosterone.  Small doses of anabolic-androgenic steroids are prescribed “for some forms of anemia, some breast cancers, osteoporosis, and endometriosis.
How to Recognize the Signs of a Steroid Abuser
 The number of steroid abusers is steadily increasing which means a loved one of our own may be turning to the use of steroids.  There are a few signs that indicate an individual is or has been taking steroids:
· Rapid weight gain and muscle development
· Acne flare up
· Fluid retention
· Jaundice
· Mood swings
· Aggressive behavior
· Premature balding

How to Recognize the Signs of a Steroid Abuser
 The number of steroid abusers is steadily increasing which means a loved one  may be turning to the use of steroids.  These are a few signs that indicate an individual is or has been taking steroids:
· Rapid weight gain and muscle development
· Acne flare up
· Fluid retention
· Jaundice
· Mood swings
· Aggressive behavior
· Premature balding
 
 

Conclusion
According to the NIDA site, there is little data about anabolic steroid use by adults, but they estimate that hundreds of thousands of people eighteen and over in the United States abuse steroids at least once a year. This trend is continuously higher for males and is also growing rapidly among young women. With the incredible amount of evidence that anabolic steroid abuse leads to nothing but health problems and the risk of premature death by suicide, heart attack or liver disease, I’d say it is about time that people start making wiser decisions about their bodies. It is ironic that people obsessed with physical fitness and health are drawn to abuse drugs which will ultimately do nothing but deteriorate the bodies they are trying so hard to perfect.
 
 

 Bibliography

 (2001).  Anabolic Steroid Abuse.  National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Report Series.  Retrieved on May 9, 2002 from an on-line database on the World Wide Web: www.nida.nih.gov/ResearchReports/Steroids/anabolicsteroids2html#what.

 Llewellyn, William.  (2000).  Anabolic Steroids. (1st ed.) Aurora: Anabolics.com, Inc.

Reilly, Rick. (2000). The ‘roid to ruin. Sports Illustrated.93, p. 92.