The Truth About Steroids
The Truth About Steroids
(Taken from City of Mesa.org)
Slang: Arnolds, Gym Candy, Pumpers, Stackers, Weight Trainers, Juice
GET THE FACTS:
Steroids affect your brain: Use of steroids has been associated with cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. Heart problems can even happen to athletes under the age of 30.
Steroids affect your appearance: In both sexes, steroids can cause male-pattern baldness, cysts, acne, and oily hair and skin.
Steroids affect 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.
Steroids increase your risk of infection: Sharing needles or using dirty needles to inject steroids puts you at risk for diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
Other slang terms used with steroid use: Roid Rages - 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.
Q: Are steroids addictive?
A: Yes, they can be. Withdrawal symptoms include mood swings, suicidal thoughts and/or attempts, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite and sleeplessness.
Q: How long do steroids stay in your system?
A: The length of time that steroids stay in the body varies from a couple of weeks to more than 18 months.
KNOW THE SIGNS:
How can you tell if a friend is using steroids?
Sometimes it is tough to tell. But there are signs you can look for. If your friend has one or more of the following warning signs, he or she maybe abusing steroids: (This site is against the use of steroids!)
|
For Guys: Baldness Development of Breasts Impotence
For Girls: |
For Both: Jaundice (yellowing of the skin) Swelling of feet and ankles Aching joints Bad breath Mood swings Nervousness Trembling |
What can you do to help someone who is abusing (taking) steroids?
Be a real friend. Save a life. Encourage your friend to stop or seek professional help. For information see your local health professionals, talk to your parents, seek help from your school counselor, seek out a Pastor you can talk to and try to get the friend to talk with your Pastor or theirs.
*Some changes made in wording from the original site. Christian Youth Resources does not endorse the use of steroids, drugs or alcohol and urges sexual abstinence.
*If you wish you may e-mail Pastor Dennis Gray at dgray@wiktel.com.
