Steroids
Erin McCool & Abby Cranney
What are Steroids?
How are Steroids Used in Medicine?
Steroids are similar to hormones, the chemicals produced in the human body that control metabolism. Steroids used for medical purposes are synthesized in labs to treat a variety of diseases such as muscle wasting, growth deficiency, asthma, skin conditions, and more. When used medically, these steroids are safe and legal. When taken illegally for sports or games, steroids can cause medical issues (Tasian, Steroids).
44% of teens say that it is very or fairly easy for them to obtain steroids even though they don’t have a doctor’s prescription for them (emedicinehealth).
How are Steroids Administered?
Pills: A common, but less popular mode of administration. The most powerful male sex hormone pill comes in the form of testosterone, but there are over 100 different versions. Steroidal supplements contain DHEA or andro, can be found in most health clinics or pharmacies, but you need a prescription to obtain them. (Tasian, Abusing Steroids).
What are the Physical and Psychological Effects?
-Trouble sleeping
-High blood pressure
-Altered mood, irritability,increased aggression
-Severe headaches
(Anderson).
Long Term,
-Delayed Puberty
-Hormonal Imbalance
-Decrease in serotonin and dopamine levels
-Alterations in cholesterol
-Excess facial/body hair, deeper voice
-Risk of viral infections
-Liver, kidney, heart disease
-Depression, suicidal thoughts
-Stunted growth
-Infertility
(Anderson).
How Long do the Effects Last?
Some steroid effects can last for decades. Steroid use will increase the amount of nuclei in muscle cells even after temporary use of performance enhancing drugs. Each nucleus can produce proteins for a certain volume of cells. The more nuclei you have, the greater potential for your muscle to grow in the future. This will continue even after steroid use has ceased. (NIDA).
Tolerance
Withdrawal
-Weakness
-Appetite decrease
-Fatigue
-Nausea
-Vomiting
-Weight loss
-Pain (usually in the abdomen)
*Some may be life-threatening*
Withdrawal Symptoms aren't just physical, they are also psychological. Steroid abuser's minds are psychologically dependent on the drug as well as their body.
Overdose
Laws and Social Concerns?
It's not just athletes and body builders that are abusing steroids now. School age children, and business professionals are now abusing this drug. About half a million 8th-10th grade students have been abusing this drug. Many schools have made new laws that allow student drug testing as a student drug prevention program. Even sports teams are considering these programs for athletes who have been abusing these drugs.
Support Systems for Steroid Abusers
One specific type of treatment that some medical professionals use is called:
Three-Pronged Treatment:
1. Medical help (deal with physical side effects when the drug isn't taken anymore).
2. Help mental health professional to deal with mental side effects from quitting and issues that led to the drug abuse.
3. Healthy--exercise and nutrition to keep body strong while in the withdrawing stages.