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Anabolic steroids were developed in the late 1930s primarily
to treat hypogonadism, a condition in which the testes
do not produce sufficient testosterone for normal growth,
development, and sexual functioning. The primary medical
uses of these compounds are to treat delayed puberty, some
types of impotence, and wasting of the body caused by HIV
infection or other diseases.
During the 1930s, scientists discovered that anabolic
steroids could facilitate the growth of skeletal muscle
in laboratory animals. This led to abuse of these compounds
by bodybuilders and weightlifters and then by athletes
in other sports.
Anabolic steroids can be taken orally, injected intramuscularly,
or rubbed on the skin when in the form of gels or creams.
These drugs are often used in patterns called cycling,
which involves taking multiple doses of steroids over a
specific period of time, stopping for a period, and starting
again. Users also frequently combine several different
types of steroids in a process known as stacking. By
doing this, users believe that the different steroids will
interact to produce an effect on muscle size that is greater
than the effects of using each drug individually.
Another mode of steroid use is "pyramiding." This is a
process in which users slowly escalate steroid use (increasing
the number of drugs used at one time and/or the dose and
frequency of one or more steroids) reaching a peak amount
at mid-cycle and gradually tapering the dose toward the
end of the cycle.
Extent of Use
Results from the 2007 Monitoring the Future Study, which surveys students in eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades, show that 1.5% of eighth graders, 1.8% of tenth graders, and 2.2% of twelfth graders reported using steroids at least once in their lifetimes.
Regarding the ease by which one can obtain steroids, 17.0% of eighth graders, 27.7% of tenth graders, and 40.1% of twelfth graders surveyed in 2006 reported that steroids were "fairly easy" or "very easy" to obtain. Furthermore, 57.4% of twelfth graders surveyed reported that using steroids was a "great risk” during 2007.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also conducts a survey of high school students throughout the United States, the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). Nearly 5% of all high school students surveyed by CDC in 2005 reported lifetime use of steroid pills/shots without a doctor's prescription.
Approximately 1.8% of young adults (ages 19–28) surveyed in 2006 reported lifetime use of steroids.
Health Effects
Anabolic steroid abuse has been associated with a wide
range of adverse side effects ranging from some that are
physically unattractive, such as acne and breast development
in men, to others that are life threatening. Most of the
effects are reversible if the abuser stops taking the drug,
but some can be permanent. In addition to the physical
effects, anabolic steroids can also cause increased irritability
and aggression.
Some of the health consequences that can occur in both
males and females include liver cancer, heart attacks,
and elevated cholesterol levels. In
addition to this, steroid use among adolescents may prematurely
stop the lengthening of bones resulting in stunted growth.
People who inject steroids also run the risk of contracting
or transmitting hepatitis or HIV. Some
steroid abusers experience withdrawal symptoms when they
stop taking the drug. These withdrawal symptoms include
mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia,
reduced sex drive, and depression. This depression can
lead to suicide attempts, and if left untreated, can persist
for a year or more after the abuser stops taking the drugs.
Production & Trafficking
Illicit anabolic steroids are often sold at gyms, competitions,
and through mail operations after being smuggled into this
country. The
most common sources for obtaining steroids for illegal
use are Internet purchases and smuggling them into the
U.S. from other countries such as Mexico and European countries.
These countries do not require a prescription for the purchase
of steroids, making it easier to smuggle them. In
addition to this, steroids are also illegally diverted
from U.S. pharmacies or synthesized in clandestine laboratories.
To read more of this article from the US Office of National
Drug Control Policy, please click here: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/steroids/index.html
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