Steroids
Steroids - anabolic steroids, roids, gear, sauce, juice ("on the juice")
Effects:
- Training with steroids helps build bigger muscles than by training on its own.
- Bigger muscles can give more confidence and a feeling of being lusted after, accepted and being part of a group.
- Acne (especially on the back), sleep problems, gut problems, hair loss (which doesn't return), breast tissue ('bitch tits'), testicles getting smaller, water retention, high blood pressure and risk of stroke, raised cholesterol (fat in the blood), liver and heart damage, prostate problems.
- Mood changes, irritability and aggression ('roid rage')
- Depression or thoughts of suicide after stopping.
- Skin absceses or infections from injecting and the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C.
- Serious health problems are more likely the bigger the doses and the longer you use.
- You can develop a body image disorder, seeing yourself as smaller than you really are and becoming obsessed about your size.
- A short term aid to self esteem can also increase insecurities in the long term.
Steroids with other drugs:
- HIV drugs: some raise cholesterol levels (fat in the blood), so get your levels checked by a doctor. Steroids put extra strain on your liver too. Some HIV drugs cause raised levels of steroids in the blood, giving more chance of side effects. Check with your HIV doctor for advice.
- E, speed, crystal meth, cocaine: these all take away your energy, getting in the way of working out and making you lose weight when you want to build yourself up.
- All drugs taken with steroids puts extra strain on your liver.
- Your mood can be affected by steroids, so it's a good idea to avoid other drugs that change your mental state when on a course of steroids.
Sex on Steroids:
- Steroids can give more sexual confidence and a higher sex drive, raising the risk of getting or passing on HIV.
- Steroids can also reduce your sex drive and cause erection problems.
- Your balls can shrink, as they're no longer making testosterone.
- Your dick will stay the same size.
Staying safe:
- Don't share or reuse injecting equipment. Clean needles and syringes are available through needle exchange service such as The Exchange, Lady Lawson Street, Edinburgh.
- Never inject into a vein - this can kill.
- Get your blood pressure, liver and kidney function and cholesterol levels checked out before starting and while you're on steroids.
- Drink plenty of water (up to 3 litres per day) to help get rid of waste products caused by the steroids.
- Avoid steroids if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, glaucoma (an eye condition which can lead to blindness), mental health problems or any heart problems.
- Avoid using steroids under 24 years old, as they can stop you growing.
