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If you are not wasting away from AIDS or other diseases such as breast cancer, you should not be taking steroids. Your body is suffering from steroid abuse, but you can stop the craziness created by steroid abuse. Recovery Connection coordinators are standing by to answer your questions. Treatment works. Call now and get back on the road to health.
It was not long ago when steroid use and abuse was within the domain of athletes, body builders and physical fitness fanatics. But the availability and the increase of drugs, including steroids, across the country has affected school age children. The concept of the big powerful athlete, bulging with well formed muscles, bombards our culture.
Yet, steroid abuse does not begin as other illicit drug use begins. Anabolic-androgenic steroids are man-made substances related to male sex hormones. "Anabolic" refers to muscle-building, and "androgenic" refers to increased masculine characteristics. The use of steroids does not involve getting high or feelings of euphoria, although a sense of well-being may be elicited from the drugs. Instead, the need to fulfill the image of "big" motivates use of steroids. Steroids are believed to reduce recovery time during workouts and help build strength for those in physical occupations. Addiction and its consequences are far from the motivation for most users.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, "some of the most abused steroids include Deca-Durabolin, Durabolin, Equipoise, and Winstrol. These drugs are available legally only by prescription and are used to treat conditions that occur when the body produces abnormally low amounts of testosterone. Steroids are prescribed for conditions including delayed puberty and some types of impotence.
They are also prescribed to treat patients whose bodies are wasting away from AIDS and other diseases that result in loss of lean muscle mass such as breast cancer. The long term health consequences of steroid abuse or steroid addiction can be severe including both physical and psychological changes which are oftentimes irreversible.
While the body grows dependent upon steroids with regular use, they do not create the same type of high or low that substance abusers chase. However, all drugs have a profound impact upon the neurotransmitters thereby setting up mood chances and behavioral changes. Scientific research shows that aggression and other psychiatric side effects may result from anabolic steroid addiction and steroid abuse. Many users experience the following:
Men who become obsessed with body building and who ingest steroids to help them increase their muscle mass may suffer from muscle dysmorphia or what is known as megarexia. It is usually associated with low self-esteem and is related to feeling small or weak. Generally, these men adhere to a strict diet and constantly analyze their body image in the mirror. Frequent workouts with weights for extended hours in the gym are common. These men often abandon close relationships, careers, and other forms relaxation in order to exercise more.
(source: http://www.jmu.edu/healthctr/swo/wm_library/Potty%20Mouth%20Article%202%20-%20Muscle%20Dysmorphia%5B1%5D.pdf)
Anabolic steroids are taken orally or injected and when abused are taken in cycles that last weeks or months (referred to as "cycling"), rather than continuously. Cycling involves taking multiple doses of steroids over a specific period of time, stopping for a period, and then starting again. In addition, steroid users often combine several different types of steroids in order to maximize the effectiveness and minimize negative effects. This process is known as stacking. Prolonged use of steroids can lead to steroid dependence and steroid addiction.
The length of time steroids stay in the body can vary greatly depending upon the type of steroid, the amount taken and the regularity of use. The major side effects of anabolic steroid abuse can include:
Steroids are abused by both men and women. However, for obvious reasons, the side effects differ depending on the gender. Unfortunately, for women many of the side effects are irreversible and can lead to fertility problems and maculinization.
Side Effects of Steroid Addiction on Males
Side Effects of Steroid Addiction on Females
Side Effects of Steroid Addiction on Adolescents Males
(source: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/brochures/steroids)
Steroid withdrawal must be medically managed by an endocrinologist for the safest possible drug detox. The major health problems created by steroid abuse are due to the alterations in the levels of hormones in the body. Regular use of steroids impedes the normal function of the adrenal glands, pituitary, and hypothalamus. Because of this, steroid withdrawal must be closely monitored and a specific steroid taper needs to be prescribed. Many times, the withdrawal period will far exceed the actual tapering period. Steroid detox, which removes the steroids from the body does not help with the severe self esteem and psychological issues which are often the underlying issue for those suffering from steroid addiction.
Withdrawal symptoms can mimic other health problems and can include:
Research also indicates that some steroid abusers turn to other drugs to alleviate the negative effects of anabolic steroid addiction. The need for therapeutic interventions to handle steroid addiction, addiction to other substances, and the accompanying psychological issues is advised.
Treatment of steroid addiction is very similar to the treatment of addiction other drugs and alcohol. A comprehensive addiction treatment program that can provide individualized treatment, medical attention and crisis intervention on site and a variety of addiction education, life skills, and other treatment components that give the steroid addict the skills and knowledge to remain abstinent.
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