Classification
Ergogenic or
performance-enhancing drugs
Origin and uses
- These drugs
are available legally only by prescription to treat
conditions that take place when the body produces
abnormally low amounts of testosterone, such as delayed
puberty and some types of impotence. They are also
prescribed to treat body wasting in patients with AIDS
and other diseases that result in loss of lean muscle
mass.
- Athletes and
others abuse anabolic steroids to improve performance and
also to improve physical appearance. These drugs increase
lean muscle mass, strength, and endurance, but they have
not been found to improve acrobatic skills,
cardiovascular capacity, or recovery from activity.
- Anabolic
sterioids are swallowed or injected. Athletes who cheat
in this way take doses 5 to 10 times larger than those
prescribed medically. Body builders and weight lifters
may take doses up to 200 times larger.
- Selling anabolic steroids for non-medical use is illegal. Most of these steroids come from the “black market,” and like any illegal substance they may be mixed with other substances that may be toxic.
Immediate and short-term effects
- Anabolic
steroids cause unpleasant side effects like acne, high
blood pressure, and increased cholesterol levels (which
can lead to heart problems). Users can also have sexual
problems.
- People who
inject anabolic steroids run the added risk of getting or
passing on HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, which causes serious
damage to the liver.
- Many users report feeling good about themselves while on anabolic steroids. Even so, researchers report a range of other psychological effects including anxiety, crankiness and aggression (“roid” rage), insomnia, depression, mania, and psychosis. Depression often occurs when the drugs are stopped and may contribute to dependence on anabolic steroids.
Effects and harms from long-term use
- In teenage
and young adult males who use large amounts (in some
cases equal to 100 to 200 mg testosterone weekly),
anabolic steroids may cause baldness, shrinking of the
testicles, reduced sperm count, increased risk of tumours
of the testicles and prostate, and enlargement of
breasts.
- Women who use
anabolic steroids are at risk of
“masculinization,” including development of
body hair, breast reduction, deepened voice, and lighter
periods or no periods at all. Many of these effects are
permanent.
- Both sexes
may experience liver damage and cancer, acne, increased
chance of ruptured tendons, damaged joints, jaundice,
swelling of feet and ankles, increased blood pressure,
and cardiac problems such as increased risk of heart
attack and enlarged heart.
- Anabolic
steroids are dangerous for teenagers because they may
affect growth.
- Research also shows that some users might turn to other drugs to deal with some of the negative effects of anabolic steroids.
Steroids and dependence
- Users do not appear to develop tolerance. This means that larger doses are not needed over time to achieve the same effects. However, dependence on steroids does occur. Users can experience both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking steroids. These include nausea, headache, sweating, dizziness, irritability, and depression.
Steroids and the law
- In Canada, anabolic steroids are regulated by the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Schedule IV). Trafficking and related offences can result in imprisonment for up to three years. The International Olympic Committee banned steroid use in 1975. Since then, most sports organizations have put steroids on their list of banned substances.
Use of steroids in Nova Scotia
- There is no
information available on the use of anabolic steroids by
Canadians.
- Among Nova Scotia students in 2007, 1.7 percent said they had used steroids in the past year.
- In 2007, among Nova Scotia students, use is more common among boys (2.5 percent) than girls (0.7 percent).