The inside information on appearance
and performance enhancing drugs.

Yes, it is illegal to use anabolic steroids without a valid prescription or to distribute them. Steroids are Schedule III substances under the Controlled Substances Act of the Federal Government.  Under most state laws, they are illegal to possess without a legitimate prescription.

Yes, they can be.

An undetermined percentage of steroid abusers become addicted to the drugs, as evidenced by their continuing to take steroids in spite of physical problems, negative effects on social relations, or nervousness and irritability.

Also, they spend large amounts of time and money obtaining the drugs and experience withdrawal symptoms such as mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, reduced sex drive, and the desire to take more steroids.

The most dangerous of the withdrawal symptoms is depression, because it sometimes leads to suicide attempts. Untreated, some depressive symptoms associated with anabolic steroid withdrawal have been known to persist for a year or more after the abuser stops taking the drugs.

Use of anabolic steroids can overall shorten life expectancy.  They are very damaging to the body and cause lasting and/or life-threatening results.

Many experts agree that about 5-6% of US students have used anabolic steroids.  That is somewhere between 750,000 to one million kids.  Many are surprised to learn that the fastest growing group of users is young teen females.

Anabolic steroids are a man-made synthetic derivative of testosterone (the male sex hormone). Testosterone is responsible for normal growth and development of the male sex organs and for the maintenance of secondary sex characteristics which include growth and maturation of the prostate, seminal vesicles, penis, and scrotum.

These drugs can be legally prescribed to treat conditions resulting from steroid hormone deficiency, such as delayed puberty, but also body wasting in patients with AIDS and other diseases that result in loss of lean muscle mass.

• Acne
• Carcinoma
• Decrease in HDL to LDL (good to bad cholesterol) ratio
• Depression
• Edema due to fluid and electrolytes retention
• Impotence
• Increased or decreased libido
• Insomnia
• Liver cell tumors
• Male pattern baldness
• Nausea
• Vomiting

• Prostate Enlargement
• Bladder irritability
• Gynecomastia (growth of breasts)
• Increased frequency of erection
• Inhibition of testicular function
• Testicular atrophy

• Clitoral enlargement
• Deepening of voice
• Increase in facial and body hair
• Menstrual irregularities

Anabolic steroids come in the form of tablets, capsules, a solution for injection and a cream or gel to rub into the skin. Weightlifters, bodybuilders and athletes who use steroids often take doses that are up to 100 times greater than those used to treat medical conditions.

Regimented methods of taking steroids are believed to enhance the effects of these drugs and lessen harm to the body. However, there is no scientific evidence to back up these claims.

Such methods include the following:

• Cycling: a period of taking and then not taking the drugs in the belief that the drug-free cycle allows the body to recover normal hormone levels
• Pyramiding: taking doses in cycles of six to 12 weeks, starting with a low dose, then slowly increasing it, and then decreasing the amount to zero, believing this allows the body time to adjust to the high doses
• Stacking: taking two or more types of steroids, mixing oral and injectable forms, believing the different drugs interact to have greater effect.

Withdrawal from using anabolic steroids is very dangerous and should be supervised by a medical doctor. 

• Withdrawal symptoms:  Mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, reduced sex drive, headaches, anxiety, and depression.
• Theses withdrawals are so serious that it can lead to suicide attempts.  These feelings can persist for a year or more after the abuser stops taking drugs.

Few studies of treatments for anabolic steroid abuse have been conducted. Current knowledge is based largely on the experiences of a small number of physicians who have worked with patients undergoing 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 behavioral therapies.

Source:  About.com

Virtually all the anabolic steroids that are sold on the “street” are illegally imported from China. They are shipped in a powder form then mixed with cooking oil, Wesson oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, and sometimes even motor oil. They are easy to obtain. They are sold at almost all gyms where the “big guys” work out, or they can be purchased over the Internet using a credit card or money order.

Recent studies by university scientists show that the top 3 reasons cited by people for first time use of anabolic steroids are:

1. Improve physical appearance/body image
2. To feel better about myself
3. Improve athletic performance

Conclusion:  anabolic steroids are not just being used by athletes any more.  We estimate that about half of the users are what we call “mirror athletes”.  These user want to “look like” the athletes do, but have no interest in competing on the athletic field.