Today, the use of Steroids has become more widespread. They have become accessible to more than just athletes. However, steroid abuse has become a serious concern not only because of it’s dangers but because these dangers are unknown by most users. The use of steroids now banned in most sports worldwide and in the united states. it’s considered a Schedule III drug.
How Long Do Steroids Stay in the Body?
Steroids can, in fact, stay within the human body from 14-28 days. The high levels of the metabolite or testosterone would detected on many drug tests. The most popular way of detecting anabolic steroids in individuals would be through a urine drug test, providing that the drug test equipped with the proper panel to indicate usage. Not every Urine Drug test available screens for steroids, or it’s metabolites.
If you concerned about purchasing the right one, further research must done. Institutions also use hair follicle testing, which can detect usage over a longer period of time.
Drug Abuse Facts
Steroids are chemicals or hormones that the human body naturally produces. These hormones help the cells, tissues, and organs perform their functions. Everyone needs a healthy balance of hormones to propagate and grow. Steroids may also refer to man-made medicines and the two main types are corticosteroids and anabolic-androgenic steroids, or anabolic steroids. Corticosteroids are medicines that help fight inflammation.
They typically prescribed to manage asthma, arthritis, some autoimmune diseases, and skin conditions and some forms of cancer. Correctly termed anabolic-androgenic steroids. This group of drugs man-made male sex hormones also known as testosterone. Anabolic refers to muscle building, while androgenic pertains to increase male sex characteristics. A doctor may prescribe anabolic steroids for males who do not produce enough testosterone, or for those who lose muscle mass due to other health conditions.
Athletes and bodybuilders use anabolic steroids to enhance their performances and bulk-up. Abuse of these may happen as users get a different kind of “high” with their improved body, strength, and performance. Little do they realize that anabolic steroids, when abused, can result in long term damage to the user.
Corticosteroids vs Anabolic Steroids
Testosterone in the body may be endogenous (naturally produced in the body) or exogenous (taken as supplements or drugs). To distinguish the two, the T/E ratio is employed. The average, normal ratio is usually 1, varying on either lower or higher. The drugs to test are nandrolone and testosterone with a cut-off level of 2 ng/ml and a detection period of at least 4 days and up to 6 months. Each brand and type of anabolic steroids have their own detection period. This test is more specific than a regular drug test and is usually referred to as a steroid test kit or steroid testing.
DEA Steroid Drug Classification
Under the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, anabolic steroids are considered a Schedule III drug. Drugs in this schedule have less abuse potential than those listed under Schedules I and II. Anabolic steroids are currently accepted in the United States for medical use and treatment. Abuse of this drug could lead to high psychological dependence and low or moderate physical dependence.
Steroid Drug Types
Anabolic steroids are synthetically manufactured testosterone hormones to help in building muscles by increasing nitrogen retention and synthesis of protein. They mimic the effects of natural hormones and help in building up an appetite and stimulating bone growth. In recent years different types of anabolic steroids (hormones) were introduced. Aside from testosterone, some of these synthetically manufactured hormones are:
Oxymetholone
Methyltestosterone
Fluoxymesterone
Nandrolone
Oxandrolone
Methenolone
Mesterolone
Trenbolone
Stanozolol
Clenbuterol
Forms and Routes of Steroid Administration
Anabolic steroids are available in a whole range of forms from tablets to gels. They are also available in capsules, creams, transdermal patches, liquid drops, oil or water-based injectable solutions. Oil/water-based injectable – the most common method for using, either by injecting the drug intravenously (into the bloodstream) or intramuscularly (into the muscle). This process is done at least three times per week.
Pills – usually in capsule form or gel tablets and taken on a daily basis. Creams – the least intrusive method as they rubbed directly onto the user’s skin. Transdermal Patches – attached to the user’s arm or buttocks for a steady release The doses taken may be 10 to 100 times higher than the prescribed doses to treat medical conditions. This drug is mostly taken in complex patterns to avoid side effects. These patterns are:
Stacking – where the user combines two or more different kinds of the drug
Cycling – where the users take the drug for a period of time, stops and then starts again.
Pyramiding – where the user slowly but methodically increases the frequency or dose of the drug until he or she reaches a peak amount, and then tapers off gradually.
However, even if used in any of these patterns, there is no evidence that these practices reduce the negative side effects of the drug
Brand Names
Anadrol Anavar Andriol Dianabol Halotestin Primobolan Proviron Turinabol Winstrol Clenbuterol Deca Durabolin Sustanon 250 Testosterone Cypionate Testosterone Enanthate Uses of Illegal Steroids Only a small percentage of anabolic steroids legally approved for human or animal consumption. Testosterone and most of its derivative compounds, oxandrolone, nandrolone, methyltestosterone, and decanoate are the primary anabolic steroids that are currently, medically prescribed in the United States for the treatment of:
Testosterone deficiency
Delayed puberty
Anemia
Breast cancer
Tissue-wasting due to AIDS
Anabolic steroids such as boldenone, trenbolone, and mibolerone used in veterinary medicine.
Steroid Street Names
Juice Gym candy Pumpers Andro Stackers Arnolds A’s Balls and Bulls Weight Trainers
Effects and Symptoms of Steroid Abuse
Steroids have androgenic and anabolic effects. Androgenic effects include masculinizing effects such as increased facial hair, deepening of voice, and enlargement of some male sex glands. Anabolic effects include an increase in muscle mass, calcium in the bones, and some internal organs. Steroid hormones generally stimulate some parts of a muscle cell and this stimulation increases protein production and some chemicals linked with the increase in muscle mass.
Short Term Side Effects in Men
Damage to the heart Reduced sperm count Difficulty or pain while urinating Impotence
Long Term Negative Effects of on Men
Development of breasts Liver disease or liver cancer Shrinking of the testicles
Fluid retention Acne Increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels Headaches Reduced sexual functioning Increase in muscle size Swelling of feet and ankles Insomnia Rapid weight gain Improved appetite Improved healing
Long Term Side Effects
Heart attacks and strokes Cardiovascular, liver and reproductive organ damage Clotting disorders Stunted growth in adolescents Increased tendon and muscle injury Reduced sexual functioning Increase in muscle size HIV/AIDS, cellulitis, abscesses and other bacterial infections can occur when injecting
Special Conditions
Anabolic steroids only prescribed for certain medical conditions such as stimulating bone growth and appetite, inducing puberty in boys, and treating chronic muscle-wasting conditions. Anabolic steroids and androgens also used to treat: Hypogonadism in men Breast cancer in women Osteoporosis Anemia Conditions causing hormonal imbalances Endometriosis However, since the mid-1940s, anabolic steroids have used by amateur and professional athletes, Olympic athletes and bodybuilders to enhance their physical appearance, strength, and performance.
Because of the numerous short and long term effects of anabolic steroids, people with the following conditions or have a history of such conditions should not take the drug: Mental disorders Heart conditions Blood clotting and other related disorders Stroke Liver disease Kidney disease Those who are trying to conceive, or are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take these drugs!
Dependence
People who use anabolic steroids may become psychologically and physically dependent on them. Each user has his own unique experience when using steroids and coming off the drugs. When a regular user stops using, he can exhibit signs of withdrawal that can linked to addiction. Symptoms may include: Fatigue Mood swings Restlessness Insomnia Loss of appetite Cravings Depression Diminished sex drive In some cases, severe depression drove users to suicidal thoughts and actions. Research indicates that depressive symptoms may last for up to a year after the user stops taking anabolic steroids.
History of Use
The yet-unnamed anabolic steroid had its beginnings in the 1930s when a team of scientists created synthetic testosterone to treat men who lack the hormone for normal development, growth, and sexual functions. During WWII, it became evident that testosterone could utilized to help malnourished soldiers recover from the loss of weight and improve their general performance. Athletes began to use steroids as a performance-enhancing drug after the war.
During the 1956 Olympics, Soviet wrestlers and other athletes performed exceptionally well. Upon learning that those athletes were on testosterone, Dr. Zeigler, an American doctor, created a much-improved version of the drug and called it anabolic steroids. They used not only by Olympic athletes but by high school and collegiate athletes. As well as professional sports players. The performance-enhancing drug finally banned by the International Olympic Committee in 1975. This was the kick-off point of the black market sale of anabolic steroids.
In 1988 the Anti-Drug Abuse Act included federal regulations on the sale and possession of steroids. Two years later, the Anabolic Steroid Enforcement Act of 1990 passed by Congress. This act classifies anabolic steroids under the Controlled Substances Act. RELATED READINGS:
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