Anabolic Steroids
Drug: Anabolic Steroids
Drug
type: Drugs that mimic natural hormones in the body that regulate
and control how the body works and develops.
Street names: Roids, Juice
What are steroids?
What
is it? Anabolic Steroids are similar to the male hormone
Testosterone. They can improve performance, endurance and muscle
tone.
Are steroids illegal?
Legal
status: Anabolic steroids are Class C drugs which
must only be sold by pharmacists with a doctor's prescription. It
is therefore legal to possess steroids as long as they're in
the form of a medicinal product for personal use.
However possessing or possessing them with intent to
supply is illegal and could lead to 14 years in prison and an
unlimited fine.
What do steroids do to you?
How it can
make you feel: They main effects of anabolic
steroids are that they may enable people to play sports or
do exercise for longer or better, help to build up muscle tone and
allow a quicker recovery after exercise.
What are the side effects of steroids?
The risks:
The side effects of steroids vary, they can
make some users feel paranoid, irritable, aggressive and even
violent, and there is the risk of dramatic mood swings. They
may also cause unwanted changes in appearance, because they
are mimicing the bodies natural hormones. For young people using
anabolic steroids can be especially dangerous as they can stop the
body from developing normally.
If drugs are affecting you negatively and you want help ring
our drug
helpline.
Anabolic Steroids image courtesy of The Home Office and
Talk to Frank, Crown Copyright.
Rohypnol