Anabolic Steroids Abuse: Help, Effects, Usage, Addiction, Detox and Anabolic Steroids Rehab

Performance-enhancing drugs pose a significant risk to the health of athletes, especially young athletes. Furthermore, the use of performance-enhancing drugs is detrimental to the reputation of sports and the U.S.'s anti-doping leadership in the international arena. Despite the risks, many athletes still use these substances, and the use of performance-enhancing drugs among youth is increasing. Substances that are prohibited by the U.S. Olympic Committee include stimulants, narcotics, anabolic agents, diuretics, and peptide hormones. Anabolic steroids (proper name: anabolic-androgenic steroids) are synthetic substances related to the male sex hormones (androgens). They promote the growth of skeletal muscle (anabolic effects) and the development of male sexual characteristics (androgenic effects), and also have some other effects.  

Steroid Abuse

Since the 1950s, some athletes have been taking anabolic steroids to build muscle and boost their athletic performance. Studies show that, over time, anabolic steroids can indeed take a heavy toll on a person's health. The abuse of oral or injectable steroids is associated with higher risks for heart attacks and strokes, and the abuse of most oral steroids is associated with increased risk for liver problems.

Anabolic steroid abuse can also cause undesirable body changes. These include breast development and genital shrinking in men, masculinization of the body in women, and acne and hair loss in both sexes.