Steroids are synthetic variations of the hormone testosterone that can increase muscle mass and strength. While steroids have benefits like building muscle, they also carry serious health risks like acne, heart and liver problems. Teenagers and women are especially at risk. Some people abuse steroids by using high doses to improve sports performance despite the dangers. Withdrawal from steroids can cause depression and other side effects. There is debate around whether steroids should be illegal or allowed for personal choice.

1. STEROIDS
“These days the temptation to use steroids in sports
has become too great for many young athletes.”
Jim Sensenbrenner

2. What Are Steroids???
 Anabolic steroids are synthetically produced variations of a
hormone that occurs naturally in our bodies: testosterone. While
both males and females have testosterone production in their
bodies from the testes and ovaries, increasing the intake of this
hormone can result in an increase in muscle mass and masculine
characteristics. The major effects of testosterone come from the
androgenic effect and anabolic effect.
 Full name of class of drugs: Androgenic Anabolic Steroids
 Androgenic refers to promotion of masculine
characteristics
 Anabolic refers to tissue building, mainly muscle, and
promotion of anabolism accomplished by promotion of protein
synthesis
 Steroids is referencing the class of drugs

3. “ANADROL…gain 40 pounds and
drop dead" - Dan Duchain

4. Why do people abuse steroids? Are
there benefits? Consequences?
 Increase lean body
mass
 Strength
 Improve strength
and endurance
 Reduce body fat
 Acne, skin tissue damage at the site of
injection and bleeding from the nose
 Testicular shrinkage, decreased sperm
production, motility and volume
 Breast enlargement(gynecomastia),
elevated blood pressure, increased HDL
and LDL cholesterol levels
 Abnormal liver function, decreased sexual
function and development
 Increased facial hair, voice
deepening(women), premature closure of
growth plates in skeletal system
 Cardiac infarction, enlargement of the
heart, coronary arterial spasms, blood
clotting
 Long term: liver failure, tumors and
cancer, cardiovascular disease, STD’s with
needle sharing
BENEFITS CONSEQUENCES

5. Effects of Steroid Abuse
Injection site for Anabolic
steroids
Chronic Acne due to steroid
abuse

6. How are steroids obtained? How
are they administered?
 Although many steroids are
prescribed by physicians for
legitimate medical reasons such as
loss of testicular function, breast
cancer, and low red blood cell count
for human beings and improvement
of vigor, hair coat and counteracting
upon tissue breakdown in animals,
the sources of illegal use are
abundant. Drug smuggling from
Mexico and Europe is common, and
far easier to administer due to
unnecessary prescription
requirement.
 Steroids can be
administered into the
body several ways.
 -Intramuscular or
subcutaneous
injection
 -Orally
 -Pellet implantation
How do people get steroids?
How do they get them into
their bodies?

7. Health Risks and Teen Usage Report
Major Health Risks Scope of Usage in teens

8. When is it ok to use steroids?
 If steroids are
prescribed for
legitimate medical
issues
 Some believe that
steroid use by healthy
adult males is not
unhealthy and is not
cheating.
 Always treat the steroid
for exactly what it is: a
drug
 To increase muscle
mass
 To increase energy,
endurance and
performance
 When it is abused
(increased dosage)
Proper Steroids Use Improper Steroid Use

9. Addiction and withdrawal
Some may become addicted to the drug, as
evidenced by continued abuse despite negative
physical and social impacts. Steroid abusers
may spend large amounts of time and money
obtaining the substance, and if use ceases, the
risk of mood swings, fatigue, cravings and
insomnia increase. Depression is the most
dangerous side effect of withdrawal due to
possible suicidal tendencies.
Are Steroids Addictive? What about Withdrawal?

10. Do you think that steroids should
be illegal in the United States?
CONSIDER THIS:
 The health risks for adolescents and women are
too high for them to use steroids safely.
 Adolescents can experience premature growth
 Women are at risk for virilization and menstrual
irregularities
 Many believe that regardless of safety, people
should have the ability to choose what they want
to introduce into their bodies.
 All health risks involved compared to benefits

11. References
 Tolliver, D. (2004, March 1). Steroid Abuse in Today's Society.
Retrieved March 7, 2015, from
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/brochures/steroids/profe
ssionals/index.html
 Volkow, N. (2006, August 1). DrugFacts: Anabolic Steroids.
Retrieved March 7, 2015, from
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/anabolic-
steroids
 Charlebois, D. (2011, July 28). Teen Bodybuilding. Retrieved March
7, 2015, from
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=144313651&pag
e=1
 All pictures and images provided by: MedicineNet - Health and
Medical Information Produced by Doctors. (n.d.). Retrieved March
8, 2015, from http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/hp.asp