nabolic steroids is the - PDF document

nabolic steroidsÓ is the one). They promote the growth effects) and the development ogenic effects) in both males steroidsÓ will be used through- romthedirector Persistent reports of anabolicsteroid abuse by professional athletes,any of whom are regarded as rolefact that we are now facing a verythat bigger is better, and being thebest is more important than how youget there. Abuse of anabolic steroids differs 62.1%57.9%58.9%57.1%55.0%55.7%56.8% U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health vey. retroactive sanctions, should giveAnother reason people giveoids is to increasetheir muscle size or to reduceincludes people suffering fromthe behavioral syndrome called muscle dysmorphia, which causes large and muscular. Similarly,lean and muscular.steroids to boost muscle sizelifters, 25 percent who abusedlifters who had been raped werebuilding drug, compared withwho had been raped reportedthat being bigger and stronger either intimidating or unattractive. Finally, some adolescents abuse steroids as part of a pattern gun, driving a motorcycle with-ed with an increased risk of initi-ating or continuing steroid abuse. How aranabolicsteroids abused? ome anabolic steroids

aretaken orally, others are Cycling, stacking, andpyramiding Steroids are often abused in patterns called Òcycling,Ó whichsteroids over a specific period and starting again. Users also fre-quently combine several differenttypes of steroids in a processknown as Òstacking.Ó Steroidtwo or more different anabolicsteroids, mixing oral and/orAbusers think that the differentsteroids interact to produce angreater than the effects of eachis referred to as Òpyramiding.Óslowly escalate steroid abuseroids or the dose and frequencyof one or more steroids used atslowly increases the doses. In zero. This is sometimes followed ESEARCH REPORT SERIES 0.51.01.52.02.53.03.5%1Grade1Grade8 Grades 8,10,12 Source: 2005 Monitoring the Future Survey. and the drug-free cycle allows What arsteroid abuse? nabolic steroid abuse hasfects ranging from some thatacne and breast developmentin men, to others that are lifethreatening, such as heart attacksever-the drugs, but some are perma-effects of anabolic steroids inhumans come from case reportsrather than formal epidemiologi-cal studies. From the casereports, the incidence of life-threatening effects appears to bemay be underrecognized orspan to steroid doses compa

rablecaused a high frequency of early monal system Steroid abuse disrupts the normalproduction of hormones in the body, causing both reversible andirreversible changes. Changes sperm production and shrinking of the testicles (testicular atrophy). Irreversible changes includemale-pattern baldness and breastbodybuilders, more than half steroids cause masculinization. east size and body fat decrease, the skin becomes coarse, the clitoris enlarges, and the voice deepens. Women may experience but lose scalp hair. With contin-ued administration of steroids,some of these effects becomeirreversible. Musculoskeletal system Rising levels of testosterone andother sex hormones normallytrigger the growth spurt thatlescence and provide the signalsto stop growth as well. When a child or adolescent takes anabolic steroids, the resulting artificiallyhigh sex hormone levels can ematurely signal the bones tostop growing. diovascular system Steroid abuse has been associated younger than 30. Steroids con-cholesterol in the blood. Steroids,particularly oral steroids, increaseprLDLLDLease thelevels increase the risk of athero-sclerosis, a condition in whichflow. If blood is prevented fromevented from reaching thebr

ain, the result can be a stroke.Steroids also increase the riskthat blood clots will form in ESEARCH REPORT SERIES Annual Prevalence of Use of Steroids 8th-Graders, 10th-Graders, and 12th-Graders 0.00.51.01.52.02.5% 8112005204200320022012 Source: 2005 Monitoring the Future Survey. Steroid abuse has been associated with liver tumors and a rare in which blood-filled cysts formin the liver. Both the tumors andthe cysts can rupture, causinginternal bleeding. Steroid abuse can cause acne, injection techniques or sharesteroid preparations are manufac-tured illegally under nonsterileformation at injection sites. What effects doanabolic steroids ase reports and small studies steroids, when used in highaggression. Some steroid abusersreport that they have committedaggressive acts, such as physicalfighting or armed robbery, theft,vandalism, or burglary. Abuserswho have committed aggressiveacts or property crimes generallyreport that they engage in thesebehaviors more often when theytake steroids than when they are drug free. A recent studybehavioral effects seen duringanabolic-androgenic steroidabuse may result from secondaryhormonal changes. anabolic steroids and aggressionby administering high steroi

dthen asking the people to reportsteroid doses did produce greatervariable across individuals. Innot all anabolic steroids increaseirritability and aggression. an increase in aggression aftersteroid administration. In a few controlled studies,aggression or adverse, overtesulting from thewhich steroid abuse contributes ESEARCH REPORT SERIES Hormonal system infertilitymale-pattern baldness male-pattern baldness Musculoskeletal system short stature (if taken tendon rupture Cardiovascular system increases in LDL; decreases in HDL high blood pressure heart attacks gement of the hear瓕s peliosis hepatis severe acne and cysts oily scalp fluid retention Psychiatric effects rage, aggression Possible HealthConsequences of Anabolic Steroid Abuse it may be underreported orunderrecognized.Research also indicates thatsome users might turn to othernegative effects of anabolicsteroids. For example, a study private treatment center foraddiction to heroin or other opioids found that 9.3 percentbefore trying any other illicitdrug. Of these 9.3 percent, 86percent first used opioids tobility resulting from anabolicsteroids. Are anabolicsteroids addictive? undetermined percent-problems and negative effects abuse

rs typically spend largethey stop taking steroids, such reduced sex drive, and steroidcravings. The most dangerous depression, because it sometimesanabolic steroid withdrawal haveor more after the abuser stops What can be doneto prevent steroidabuse? ost prevention efforts professional sports; few schoolclose to 9 percent of secondaryoids. Studies are currently under way to determine Research on steroid educa-tional programs has shown that steroidsÕ adverse effects does notcan be adversely affected. Noryoung people from takingoids in the future. Presentingeffective in convincing adoles-ing to the researchers. prevention research helps reducesteroid abuse. more sophisticatedapproach has shownpromise for preventingsteroid abuse among players The Adolescents Training andLearning to Avoid SteroidsTLAS) program is showingbuild powerful muscles andimprove athletic performance. anabolic steroids and providingATLAS program has increased football playersÕ healthy behaviors and reduced their intentions abuse steroids. In the program, the harmful effects of anabolicsteroids and other illicit drugs onand discuss how to refuse offerscompletion of the program, compared with a control group,ATLAS-trained

students in 15 abuse of anabolic steroids them in the future; and narcotics; Less abuse of Òathletic enhancingÓ supplements; ESEARCH REPORT SERIES Less likelihood of engaging in hazardous substance abusebehaviors such as drinking Increased protection againststeroid and other substanceabuse. Namely, less interest intrying steroids, less desire toof alternatives to steroid abuse,improved body image, andincreased knowledge of dietThe Athletes Targeting Healthy Exercise and Nutrition Alternatives(ATHENA) program was patterned after the ATLAS program, butolled in the ATHENA programshowed significant decreases inrisky behaviors. While preseasonrisk behaviors were similaramong controls and ATHENAparticipants, the control athleteswere three times more likely to including amphetamines, anabolic oids, and muscle-buildingsupplements during the sports increased among control subjects, while use fell to approximatelyhalf of the preseason levelsamong ATHENA participants. In addition, ATHENA team members were less likely to be sexuallyactive, more likely to wear seat-have endorsed ATLAS andATHENA as model preventionprograms. These Oregon HealthScience University programs Sports Illustrated Award.Ó are e

ffective for ew studies of treatments foranabolic steroid abuse havebeen conducted. Currentknowledge is based largely onworked with patients undergoingsteroid withdrawal. The physi-cases. Patients are educatedduring withdrawal and are If symptoms are severe or pro-been used for treating steroidsteroid abuse. Other medicationstarget specific withdrawal symp-tomsÑfor example, antidepres-Some patients require assis-tance beyond pharmacologicaltreatment of withdrawal symp-toms and are treated with Where can I getfurther scientific learn more about anabolicsteroids and other drugs ofDrug InforNCADINCADI800-729-6686. Information specialists are available to helpyou locate information andesources. on the health effects ofanabolic steroids, other drugs ofabuse, and other drug topics areavailable on the NIDA Web siteEnglish and Spanish from NCADI ESEARCH REPORT SERIES Access information on the Internet ꔀWhatÕs new on the NIDA Web site NOTES ꔀCalendar of eventsꔀLinks to NIDA organizational unitsꔀFunding information (including programꔀLinks to related Web sites (access to Web sites of many other NIDA Web Sites www.drugabuse.govwww.steroidabuse.govwww.hiv.drugabuse.gov Web Site: www.health.