Steroids Drug Abuse Signs & Symptoms
Sometimes it's hard to tell if someone has been using steroids. If someone you know has one or more of the following warning signs, he or she may be abusing steroids.
Your Heart
Steroid abuse has been associated with cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. These heart problems can even happen to athletes under the age of 30.
Your Appearance
In both sexes, steroids can cause male-pattern baldness, cysts, acne and oily hair and skin.
Your Mood
Steroids can make you angry and hostile for no reason. There are recorded cases of murder attributed to intense anger from steroid use.
Risk of Infections
Sharing needles or using dirty needles to inject steroids puts you at risk for diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
Know the Law
Steroids are illegal to possess without a prescription from a licensed physician. It is illegal for individuals to sell steroids.
Quick Facts About Steroids - Doctors prescribe steroids for specific medical conditions. They are only safe for use when a doctor monitors the person.
- Illegal steroids are made overseas and smuggled into the United States or made in underground labs in this country. They pose greater health risks because they are not regulated by the government and may not be pure or labeled correctly.
- Steroids can be addictive. Withdrawal symptoms include mood swings, suicidal thoughts or attempts, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite and sleeplessness.
- The length of time that steroids stay in the body varies. Injected steroids may be detected in the body for 3 to 4 months while the oral types may remain for 1 to 4 weeks.
Other slang terms associated with steroid use include:
Roid Rage
Uncontrolled outbursts of anger, frustration or combativeness that may result from using anabolic steroids.
Shotgunning
Taking steroids on an inconsistent basis.
Stacking
Using a combination of two or more anabolic steroids.
