What are Steroids?
Steroids are manufactured testosterone-like drugs that are usually taken to build muscle, enhance performance, and improve appearance. Some steroids are available legally by prescription to treat medical conditions like asthma, chronic lung disease, skin conditions and allergic reactions. Use of steroids for non-medical purposes is illegal and can have serious side effects.
What are the Street Names for Steroids?
Street or slang names include Arnies, A's, anabolics, balls or bulls, gym candy, juice, pumpers, roids, stackers, and weight trainers.
How are Steroids Taken?
Steroids are swallowed or injected. Users often take steroids in patterns called 'cycling,' in which multiple doses of steroids are taken over a specific period of time, stopped for a period, and started again. Many users also take different types of steroids in combination with other drugs. This is known as 'stacking.'
How Do Steroids Affect the User?
The use of steroids can increase muscle mass, strength, and endurance, but can also cause water retention, acne, trembling and high blood pressure. Some users experience feelings of invincibility which may lead to poor judgment. Other users suffer from uncontrolled aggression and violent behavior known as "roid rage," severe mood swings, manic episodes and depression. Users report feelings of paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability and may experience delusions.
What are the Long-Term Effects of Steroid Use?
When the body experiences a build-up of steroids in its system, conditions such as hypertension; high cholesterol; liver tumors or jaundice; kidney disease; stunted growth; and heart damage are likely to occur. Teens may experience stunted growth through premature skeletal maturation and accelerated puberty changes. This may happen if adolescents take anabolic steroids before their typical adolescent growth spurt. Women can experience irreversible deepening of the voice, shrinking of the breasts, menstrual irregularities, baldness, hair growth on other parts of the body, and genital swelling. Men can experience shrinking of the testicles, reduced sperm count, infertility, baldness, development of breasts, and increased risk for prostate cancer. Steroids such as Prednisone and other synthetic steroids can cause a rise in blood sugar by blocking the effect of insulin. Over time, users can develop diabetes.
Signs and Symptoms of Steroid Use
Steroid abusers often exhibit the following physical symptoms:
For Males
For Females
For Both
Development of Breasts
Breast Reduction
Weight gain
Baldness
Facial Hair
Acne flare up
Impotence
Deepened Voice
Fluid retention (swelling)
Mood swings, depression
Yellow tint in the eyes and on skin (jaundice)
Aggressive behavior
Rapid muscle development
Treatment Options
If you or someone you know is struggling with steroid abuse, email Phoenix House at drughelp@phoenixhouse.org to find out more about our treatment programs, ask for a referral or get a professional assessment. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, call 911 immediately.
