How long for anabolic steroids to work

Regularly taking anabolic steroids can lead to physical and psychological changes in both men and women, as well as potentially dangerous medical conditions. In addition, both men and women who take anabolic steroids can develop any of the following medical conditions:. Misusing anabolic steroids can also cause the following psychological or emotional effects:. Anabolic steroids accelerate bone growth, so if they're misused by adolescents who haven't yet had the growth spurt associated with puberty , the drugs can cause premature ageing of the bones and restricted growth.

As anabolic steroids are often injected, there are risks associated with sharing needles. These are the same risks associated with recreational drug use, and include:. Like many other substances, anabolic steroids are addictive.

This means you can crave the drug, require more to get the same effect, and have withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking them. A person who is addicted to anabolic steroids will want to keep using them despite experiencing unpleasant physical side effects. When doctors prescribe steroid medication, they always advise coming off the medication slowly by gradually reducing the dose.

Coming off anabolic steroids suddenly can result in withdrawal symptoms that include:. You should see your GP if you think you're addicted to anabolic steroids. Treatment for an addiction to anabolic steroids will be similar to that of other types of addiction. Your GP may refer you to a specially trained drugs counsellor.

They'll discuss your addiction with you, how to safely stop taking steroids, and any obstacles you may face when trying to stop, plus strategies for dealing with those obstacles.

Page last reviewed: 30 August Next review due: 30 August Anabolic steroid misuse. Are anabolic steroids illegal? Anabolic steroids are artificially produced hormones that are the same as, or similar to, androgens , the male-type sex hormones in the body. There are more than variations of anabolic steroids. The most powerful androgen is testosterone pronounced: tess-TOSS-tuh-rone.

Although testosterone is mainly a mature male hormone, girls' bodies produce smaller amounts. Testosterone helps build muscle and promotes the masculine traits that guys develop during puberty, such as deepening of the voice and growth of body hair.

Testosterone levels can also affect how aggressive a person is. For the most part, steroidal supplements, which used to be found at health food stores or gyms, are now illegal and require a prescription.

DHEA is one of the few exceptions and can still be bought over the counter. Steroid supplements are weaker forms of androgen.

Their effects aren't well known, but it's thought that, when taken in large doses, they cause effects similar to other androgens like testosterone. But research studies suggest that they do very little or nothing to improve athletic performance.

Here's what is known about steroidal supplements: Companies that make them often use false claims, and very little is known about the long-term effects some of these substances have on the body. That's one reason why the government took action to protect citizens by passing laws controlling steroid distribution. Anabolic steroids stimulate muscle tissue to grow and "bulk up" in response to training by mimicking the effect of naturally produced testosterone on the body.

Anabolic steroids can remain in the body anywhere from a couple of days to about a year. Steroids have become popular because they may improve endurance, strength, and muscle mass. Side effects of steroid abuse on the liver include:. Effects of steroid abuse on the skin can include:. Because some who abuse steroids inject the drugs and use nonsterile injection techniques or share contaminated needles with other abusers, they are at increased risk for developing HIV and hepatitis B and C like all other injection drug users.

Additionally, injection steroid users can develop endocarditis, an infection that can cause inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, a condition which can be fatal. Indications are that high doses or anabolic steroids increase irritability and aggression which may be caused by secondary hormonal changes.

As with the health effects of steroids, most of the information about the behavioral effects of steroid abuse comes from case reports and small studies. In these case studies, anabolic steroid abusers report that when they are taking steroids they are more likely to engage in aggressive behavior such as fighting, armed robbery, burglary, theft, and vandalism than they are when they are drug-free, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The NIDA reports four studies in which volunteers were given high dosages of anabolic steroids.

In the fourth study, no such link to irritability and aggression was reported. The researchers speculated that it may be because some steroids, but not all, increase aggression. In a few controlled studies, aggression or adverse behavior was reported after steroid abuse, but only by a minority of the volunteers in the studies.

There have been some reports of psychotic and manic reactions in both men and women who abuse anabolic steroids, but these have been rare occurrences and researchers believe they have most likely occurred in users with prior mental illness. It is not known scientifically to what extent anabolic steroid use has on violence and behavioral disorders. The prevalence of extreme cases of violence among steroid abusers appears to be low, but as with the health effects, extreme violence could be underreported or underrecognized.

Some other psychological effects of steroid abuse that have been reported include:. Some research has found that use of anabolic steroids may cause users to turn to other drugs to alleviate the negative effects.

One study found that 9. Of that 9. Some individuals who abuse anabolic steroids can develop patterns of behavior that are typical symptoms of people who are addicted. Those behaviors include continuing use despite negative consequences, spending excessive time and effort in obtaining drugs, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they stop using. Some anabolic steroid users continue using the drugs despite experiencing physical problems and problems in their social relationships.

The percentage of those who continue use in spite of negative consequences is not known. Many steroid abusers spend large amounts of time and money to obtain the drugs they use.

When they stop taking steroids, users can experience withdrawal symptoms that can include mood swings, restlessness, loss of appetite, and craving for steroids. Other withdrawal symptoms reported in case studies of people coming off anabolic steroids use include:. One of the most serious withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping steroid use is depression because it can sometimes lead to suicide attempts, the NIDA reports.

Research reveals that if untreated, depression associated with anabolic steroid withdrawal can persist for a year or longer after use of the drug stops. Treatment options recommended by the National Institute on Drug Abuse for anabolic steroid abuse are based more on case studies and physician experience rather than controlled studies. There has been very little research into treatment for steroid abuse. These studies suggest that patients going through anabolic steroid withdrawal may only require supportive and educational therapy, in many cases.

Though physicians need to evaluate them for suicidal thoughts due to steroid withdrawal. If withdrawal symptoms listed above become severe or prolonged, patients are given medications to treat the specific withdrawal symptoms. For example, antidepressants for depression or analgesics for headaches and pain.

Some steroid withdrawal patients receive medication to help restore their hormonal systems. Others are treated with behavioral therapies for withdrawal symptoms that go beyond pharmacological treatment. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Because the dangers of anabolic steroid abuse are so great and because there does exist a potential for some users to develop addictive-like behavior related to steroid use, efforts should be concentrated on preventing the use in the first place, especially among young student-athletes.

By far the most prevalent anabolic steroid prevention programs in the U. Very few local school districts have established steroid prevention programs. Even if such testing was more widespread, research has yet to clearly determine if drug testing is effective in reducing drug abuse. The NIDA is currently funding that research. Scientific studies have shown that teaching youth about the adverse effects of steroids alone is not as effective in preventing steroid use as well as programs that present both the risks and benefits of using anabolic steroids.

Students find a balanced approach more credible, the NIDA says. Although most secondary schools do not have official anabolic steroids prevention programs in place, there are programs available that have been shown to be effective in reducing steroid abuse, other substance abuse, and other risky behaviors.

The NIDA reports that these two sophisticated approaches have shown promise in preventing steroid abuse among high school sports players. The ATLAS program is designed to show high school football players that they can build powerful bodies and improve their athletic performance without using dangerous anabolic steroids. The program not only provides education about the harmful side effects of anabolic steroids but also provides nutrition and weight-training alternatives to using steroids.

According to NIDA research, the program has been successful in reducing the participants' intentions to use steroids while increasing their healthy behaviors. One of the hallmarks of the ATLAS program is that the football coaches and team leaders are the ones who teach the players about the harmful effects of steroids and other illicit drugs on sports performance. They also discuss how to refuse if they are offered drugs. In controlled studies of the ATLAS program, researchers compared athletes in 15 high schools who were in the program with a control group who did not receive the training.

The study found that ATLAS-trained athletes had less interest in trying steroids, less desire to abuse them, better knowledge of alternatives to steroid abuse, improved body image, and increased knowledge of diet supplements. The female athletes who did not receive the ATHENA training were three times more likely to begin using diet pills during the sports season. They were twice as likely to abuse other body-shaping substances such as amphetamines, anabolic steroids, and muscle-building supplements during the season.

During the sports season, girls in the control group increased their use of diet pills, while those who received the ATHENA training, cut their diet pill use in half of their preseason usage. They were:. The two anabolic steroid prevention programs received Sports Illustrated magazine's first-ever "Champion Award.

Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. Drug Guide: Steroids. Published online, no date. Clinical review Anabolic-androgenic steroid therapy in the treatment of chronic diseases.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. FR Doc , December 16, From the Federal Register Online. FDA issues warning about body-building products labeled to contain steroid and steroid-like substances. Updated online, June, 20, Published online, March Sports Med.