Types of Steroids and Anabolic Steroid Side Effects of Use

Anabolic steroids are a type of drug that is discussed in the media quite often, especially as they pertain to athletes. Typically described as "performance-enhancing drugs," steroids can help sports players improve their game, but to serious detrimental effect on the body. Quite simply, they are dangerous. But before we discuss how steroids affect the body, let us first talk about what they are.

What Are Anabolic Steroids ?

Performance enhancing steroids are a class of drugs that contain testosterone or its synthetic equivalents for use in improving bodily performance and building muscle. Steroids come in various forms. There are some types of steroids that are prescribed by doctors for legitimate reasons in treating conditions like chronic lung disease, allergies and asthma, and these are known as Corticosteroids. However, those are not the types of steroids we're discussing here. If you want to learn more about the difference go here. These types of steroids are anabolic steroids and typically called juice, roids or pumpers and are androgenic in the sense that they are meant to increase masculine characteristics.

How Are Steroids Taken Into the Body?

Steroids are taken into the body one of two ways: orally or through injection. In both cases, those who abuse steroids may use the drugs in cycles with rest periods off the drugs periodically.

What are the Dangers of Steroid Side Effects?

People take steroids to build muscle mass and improve their overall athletic performance and there's no denying that steroids definitely deliver. They build strength and endurance along with muscle to make you more powerful. However, there are side effects associated with steroid use including acne, high blood pressure, aggression or mood swings known as roid rage, paranoia, and water retention.

What Dangers and Long-Term Effects Are Associated With Steroid Abuse?

Just like with substances such as cocaine or heroin, abusing steroids can pose serious threats to your health and wellbeing. You become more likely to develop hypertension, kidney disease, liver disease, high cholesterol and heart damage. Men will notice hair loss, shrunken testicles and infertility. Some may even develop woman-like breasts. Your risk of prostate cancer is also elevated. Women, on the other hand, will notice a shrinking of the breasts, genital swelling, hair loss, a deepening of the voice and menstrual problems. Both sexes are placed at risk for developing diabetes as well.

How Can One Approach Quitting Steroids?

Quitting steroid abuse or overuse is no easy task. While it seems they are not truly physically addictive-and if they are at all, it is to the degree of caffeine-they can be very difficult to quit because users become accustomed to how they make their bodies look and feel.

Whether it is pressure to perform your best or to change your body image, many people turn to these drugs to accomplish one thing or another in their lives. Unfortunately, this is done at great cost to their health-both mental and physical. But if you find yourself abusing steroids, there is hope. Your first step will be to search for good steroid rehab centers and enroll in a drug rehab program, which weans you off these illicit substances and gets you back on track toward living a healthy lifestyle. Once you're done with treatment, it is highly recommended that you sign up for some form of ongoing recovery program to not only keep you off the steroids, but also to help you move toward your goals in a healthy and productive manner.