Steroids

Last updated: 22 February 2002

What are steroids?

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic derivatives of the male hormone, osterone. All steroids have anabolic and androgenic effects.

Anabolic effects include:

• stimulation of protein synthesis (particularly in the skeletal muscles)
• healing wounds
• promotion of bone growth and calcium deposition
• stopping nitrogen loss through urine.

Androgenic effects are those involved in the development and maintenance of the primary and secondary male sex characteristics.

Street names for AAS include roids, gear, and juice.

How are steroids taken?

Steroids can be administered either orally or by injection. They are usually taken in a cyclic pattern. The "on" cycle is where the user administers steroids for a period of time to gain specific short-term goals. These are followed by "off" cycles, where there is no steroid use. Cycles vary from 6-16 weeks and 1-4 per year.

The administration of AAS can be complex as there are a number of dosage management techniques. These include:

• Pyramiding: The dose is increased to a certain level and then reduced back towards the base level during the cycle.
• Tapering: The largest dose is taken at the beginning of the cycle and tapered down over a 4-6 week period to nothing.
• Constant: Some users administer the same amounts of AAS during the cycle.

The administration of AAS is made more complex as a result of stacking, when a user administers a selection of steroids, oral or injectable, at different points within the cycle.

Who uses steroids?

• Sports people: some sports people use AAS to increase performance in competitive sport.
• Body image: this group includes people concerned with their image.
• Occupational users: some people use AAS to increase muscle size and strength to assist them with their line of work such as bouncers, security personnel, and bodyguards.
• Adolescents: these are often young males who may wish to emulate the physical stature portrayed in sporting competitions and popular media.

AAS dependency and withdrawal

A person may be dependent on AAS if they show these characteristics:

• continuing to use despite risks to health
• taking more of the drug to get the same effect
• experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms can be both psychological and physiological. They may include feeling depressed, nervous, angry, or irritable.

What are the side effects of using steroids?

Physiological side effects include:

• hair loss
• liver problems
• acne
• sleeplessness
• headaches
• increased cholesterol
• permanent short stature in adolescents
• tendon injuries
• water retention
• hypertension
• jaundice.

Psychological side effects include:

• increased aggression
• depression
• increased irritability
• mood swings
• changes in libido (increase or decrease)
• suspicion
• psychological dependence.

In addition, men may experience:

• shrinking testicles
• prostate problems
• infertility/decreased sperm production
• gymnaecomastia (breast enlargement)

Women may experience:

• clitoral enlargement
• smaller breasts
• permanent deepening of the voice
• menstrual irregularities
• foetal damage
• growth of body and facial hair.

Roid rage

This term is commonly used to describe bursts of aggressive behaviour by AAS users. However, it is still controversial as to whether there is clear evidence to support the notion of roid rage. If this type of behaviour does occur it is usually at the extreme end of users' aggression and is typically short in duration.

Other drugs commonly used by steroid users

• Human Growth Hormone: acts on carbohydrates, fats and protein. Taking high doses over a long period may cause acromegaly (overgrowth of hands, feet and face), pathological growth of the heart, diabetes, joint pain, and heart disease.
  
  
• Insulin: plays an important role in the metabolism of protein, carbohydrate, and fat as well as regulating blood glucose levels, which can lead to mental disorientation, convulsions, comas, brain damage, and death.
  
  
• Stimulants (amphetamines, ephedrine): act on the central nervous system and are used to stimulate training sessions. Side effects include difficulty in sleeping, depression, anxiety, and overheating.
  
  
• Diuretics: used to lose weight and decrease fluid retention. Use can result in dehydration, fainting, dizziness, cardiac arrest, and death.
  
  
• Beta Blockers: used to treat hypertension and control hand tremors. The most significant adverse reaction is asthma.
  
  
• Tamoxifen: blocks the action of the hormone oestrogen. Used to combat the side effects of gynaecomastia ("bitch tits"). Can cause flushing, vaginal bleeding, and gastro-ininal disorders.
  
  
• Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG): stimulates endogenous osterone. Side effects include gynaecomastia, headaches, irritability, depression, and fatigue.
  
  
• Beta 2 agonists(Clenbuterol): can increase lean body mass and decrease fat content in animals. A dangerous stimulant if taken in high dosages. Side effects include anxiety, palpitations, sleeplessness then lethargy. It may also cause changes in the electrical rhythm of the heart.

Further Information

Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) is a 24 hour confidential telephone counselling service. Phone: (02) 9361 8000 or toll free: 1800 422 599.