- Adderall
- Alcohol
- Barbiturates
- Chronic Relapse
- Cocaine
- Codependency
- Compulsive Hoarding
- Crack Cocaine
- Crystal Meth
- Dual Diagnosis
- Eating Disorder
- Ecstasy
- Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
- Gender Specific Issues
- Heroin
- Hydrocodone
- Inhalants
- Ketamine (Special K)
- Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)
- Marijuana
- Methadone
- Methamphetamine
- OxyContin
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Process Addiction
- Ritalin and Concerta
- Sex and Love Addiction
- Steroids
- Suboxone
- Synthetic Cannabis
- Trauma
- Valium
- Video Game Addiction
- Xanax
Steroids
What are Steroids?
Most anabolic steroids are synthetic substances that resemble testosterone. Taken orally are injected, they are often prescribed for a variety of illnesses, injuries, and other conditions. Abuse is generally among athletes seeking to build muscle and enhance performance. Steroid abuse crosses all demographics.
Abuse of anabolic steroids can lead to serious health problems, some of which are irreversible. Among them are liver damage, jaundice, fluid retention, high blood pressure, and increases in “bad” cholesterol. Males may experience shrinking of their testicles, baldness, breast development, and infertility. Females risk growth of facial hair, menstrual changes, male-pattern baldness, and deepened voice. Teens risk permanently stunted height, accelerated puberty changes, and severe acne. All users, in particular those who inject the drug, are vulnerable to infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
Addiction to steroids is possible, since their use is continued despite their negative physical and social effects. Withdrawal symptoms, such as depression, mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, and reduced sex drive, manifest themselves when the abuser quits. Depression is the most dangerous of the withdrawal symptoms, having been linked to suicide and suicide attempts.