Steroid misuse
Why people misuse anabolic steroids
Anabolic steroids are performance-enhancing drugs that increase muscle mass and decrease fat, as well as causing many undesirable effects. Some athletes, weightlifters and bodybuilders take them regularly to improve their physical performance and build up their bodies.
However, people of all ages have been known to misuse these drugs, includingadolescent boys who suffer from body dysmorphia , an anxiety disorder where the way someone thinks about their body doesn't match the way it looks.
Teenage boys and young men may take the drugs because they have reverse anorexia. This is when they don't see themselves as being physically big enoughor strong enough.
Some people believe taking anabolic steroids will help thembecome fitand healthy. This isn't true: taking anabolic steroids is a dangerous drug habit.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Anabolic steroids are prescription-only medicines that are sometimes taken without medical advice to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance.
Are anabolic steroids illegal?
Anabolic steroids are class C drugs, which can only be sold by pharmacists with a prescription. It's not illegal to possess anabolic steroids for personal use. They can also be imported or exported,
Why people misuse anabolic steroids
Anabolic steroids are performance-enhancing drugs that increase muscle mass and decrease fat, as well as causing many undesirable effects. Some athletes, weightlifters and bodybuilders take them regul
How anabolic steroids are taken
Anabolic steroids are usually injected into the muscle, but some are available intablet form,or as creams or gels that areapplied to the skin. Most people who use anabolic steroids are aware of the d
Side effects of anabolic steroids
Regularly taking anabolic steroids causes a range of male features, not just increased muscle mass. It can also lead to potentially dangerous medical conditions, such as high blood pressure (hypertens
Addiction
Like many other substances, anabolic steroids are addictive. This means you can crave the drug, require more to get the same effect, and have withdrawal symptomsifyou suddenly stop taking them. A per
Getting help
You should see your GP if you think you're addicted to anabolic steroids. Treatment for an addiction to anabolic steroids will be similar to that of other types of addiction. Your GP may refer youto
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