Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic Steroids (Roids, Juice, Arnolds, Gym Candy, Pumpers, Stackers, Gear)

NJ Illegal Drug Possession, Use and Distribution of Anabolic Steroids Criminal Defense Attorneys

Schedule III Drug Information: Anabolic Steroids

Street names: Roids, Juice, Arnolds, Gym Candy, Pumpers, Stackers, Gear
Drug Classification: Anabolic steroids are classified as Schedule III substances in the US under the Controlled Substances Act.

General Drug Information About Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids are synthetic chemicals derived from the male hormone testosterone. Federally, anabolic steroids are defined as “any drug or hormonal substance, chemically and pharmacologically related to testosterone (other than estrogens, progestins, and corticosteroids) that promotes muscle growth.”

There are more than 100 kinds of anabolic steroids that have gained fame for their use in athletics such as baseball, football, body-building, professional wrestling, and mixed martial arts. In many of these professions, use of steroids and “performance-enhancing drugs” are prohibited by the rules of the sport since the muscle growth the drugs can produce would give certain athletes an unfair advantage. But anabolic steroids do have legitimate medical uses as part of gender reassignment procedures, in treating types of sexual dysfunction, and in helping the body recover as it is fighting a terminal disease.

Types of Anabolic Steroids

The main anabolic steroids currently prescribed in the US are testosterone, methyltestosterone, nandrolone decanoate, and oxandrolone. Steroids such as trenbolone, boldenone and mibolerone are only used in veterinary medicine and are not prescribed to humans. Steroids come in tablet or liquid form that is swallowed or injected into a vein. But those using steroids outside of a medical context often consume doses 10 to 100 times larger that what would be medically prescribed. Illicit use of steroids is most common among those seeking to improve muscle strength, athletic performance, and physical appearance. Abusers typically take the drugs in patterns of weeks instead of continuously, a technique referred to as cycling. This involves taking multiple steroids for a given period of time (taking multiple steroids is called ‘stacking’ and is done to potentiate the effects of the drug), stopping for some time, and restarting again.

Dangers and Side Effects of Anabolic Steroid Abuse

The short-term effects of the use of anabolic steroids include increased muscle mass and strength and the ability to exert more effort while training for longer periods of time But the side effects are numerous, some dangerous, and many irreversible. Common minor physical side effects include acne, oily skin, deepening of the voice, and excessive hair growth. In men, more serious physical side effects may occur, including shrinking of the testicles, impotence, reduced sperm count, baldness, the development of breasts, difficulty urinating, and infertility. Women may experience disruption of the menstrual cycle, changes in body and hair growth, and infertility. Use of steroids increases the risks of cancer, heart, and liver disease. Users may develop physical conditions such as jaundice, swelling of the soft tissue of the extremities, jaundice (yellowish skin), high blood pressure, and sleep apnea (a condition where the airways become blocked when a person is sleeping, rousing them from sleep throughout the night without them knowing and resulting in chronic fatigue). Teens and adolescents that abuse steroids may stunt their natural growth and height and cause irreversible abnormities relating to accelerated puberty changes and abnormal sexual development. Kids will have to suffer through these conditions for the rest of their lives.

“Roid Rage”

Steroids also have a long history of mental side effects, generally referred to as “roid rage.” Increased concentrations of male hormones in the body are associated with violent and aggressive behavior. This may be channeled positively for athletic performance, but may lead to conflict and violence outside of the gym or once practice is over. Steroid users often suffer from paranoid jealously, delusions (and maybe even hallucinations), feelings of invincibility, and extreme irritability. These conditions may result in unexplainable episodes of violence, anger, and aggression, sometimes resulting in destructive and criminal behavior. Users of steroids may also experience intense mood swings, from depression to overwhelming confidence to intense rage.

Anabolic Steroid Withdrawal

While the exact addictive potential of anabolic steroids remains unclear, those that have been abusing anabolic steroids often experience withdrawal symptoms upon ceasing use. Users of steroids feel good and feel good about themselves when they are taking and are on steroids. When they stop taking them, they may experience intense cravings for steroids, depression, fatigue, loss of appetite and sex drive, irritability, and insomnia. The large amount of muscle mass that users of steroids put on will also start to disappear, leaving many users in worse physical condition (in terms of body fat and muscle) than from before when they first started taking steroids. The withdrawal symptoms of depression, irritability, and insomnia lead some to attempt suicide or to turn to other drugs, most commonly opioids and painkillers.

Sources:

http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/Steroids.html
http://www.erowid.org/pharms/steroids/
http://www.erowid.org/pharms/steroids/steroids_law1.shtml
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugs_concern/anabolic.htm
http://www.sportsci.org/encyc/anabstereff/anabstereff.html
http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/steroids