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Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic steroids are similar to and include the male hormone testosterone. They're meant to be used to treat anaemia and muscle weakness after surgery. Not to be confused with other kinds of steroids such as corticosteroids - that is a different drug often used to treat asthma, eczema and skin inflammations.
ID: Users call them roids. Trade names include Sustanon 250, Deca-Durabolin, Dianabol, Anavar, Stanozolol.
APPEARANCE AND USE
Steroids can be bought as tablets which are swallowed. They're also bought as liquid which is injected.
Popular with bodybuilders, athletes and other sports people because of their performance enhancing effects. As not all tablets contain active ingredients, it's not uncommon for some people to consume 10-100 times the medical dose.
THE EFFECTS
* Users claim the drug makes them feel more aggressive.
* Sports enthusiasts claim steroids make them able to train harder.
* If taken during a strict exercise regime, they can help build muscle mass.
* They may also help users recover from strenuous exercise faster.
THE RISKS
* Normally calm people can become aggressive or even violent.
* If you're young, abuse of anabolic steroids can stop you growing properly.
* Injecting any drug can cause vein damage, ulcers and gangrene. Dirty or shared needles and other injecting works can help the spread of HIV and hepatitis.
* If you're male, you can get erection problems, grow breasts, become sterile and develop acne. It can also make your testicles shrink. Quite a big price to pay for impressive muscles.
* If you're female, you can get extra facial hair, a deep voice, shrinking breasts and an increased risk of menstrual problems.
* You could experience dramatic mood swings and ultimately long-term depression.
* You may find that you start getting paranoid, confused and have trouble sleeping.
* Steroids can also give you high blood pressure and increase your risk of liver failure, stroke or heart attack.
All information sourced from www.TalktoFrank.com