STEROIDS

1. STEROIDS By: Keith Sunthorn, Mark Raleigh, and Hennesy

2. Steroids are synthetic derivatives of the male hormone testosterone that are taken to build muscle, enhance performance, and improve appearance. Source: http://dwb.unl.edu/teacher/nsf/c10/c10links/www.tcada.state.tx.us/research/facts/steroids.html WHAT IS STEROIDS?

3. Increased Muscle Mass • Increased Strength • Increased Endurance • Decreased Body-Fat • Increased Aggression Source: http://www.steroids.org/Steroid-Facts.php ATTRIBUTES OF STEROIDS

4. There is no doubt about it; anabolic steroids do carry with them possible negative side-effects. The types of anabolic steroids you use will determine the severity of the probability as will the dose and duration; negative side-effects include: • High Blood Pressure • Excess Bloating • High Cholesterol • Acne • Hair Loss • Testicular Atrophy • Gynecomastia • Deepening of the Vocal Chords (Women) • Enlarged Clitoris (Women) • Body Hair Growth • Stunted Growth (Children) Source: http://www.steroids.org/Steroid-Facts.php HOW STEROIDS EFFECTS YOUR HEALTH

5. A recent study found that 57% of high school steroid users said they would risk shortening their life for increased performance. • Steroid abuse injures the liver, cardiovascular system and reproductive systems. • It is estimated that 3% to 6% of students in the U.S. have tried steroids. That means that, at a minimum, hundreds of thousands of high school students are using them. • Both men and women may also become more aggressive and depressed. Source: http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-steroids WHY YOU SHOULDN’T TAKE STEROIDS

6. A study proved that not only athletes abuse steroids, non-athletes can abuse it as well to boost physical appearance and enhance performance. • Preclinical, clinical, and anecdotal reports suggest that steroids may contribute to psychiatric dysfunction. Research shows that abuse of anabolic steroids may lead to aggression and other adverse effects; including mantic-like symptoms that could lead to violent behavior. Source: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/infofacts/steroids-anabolic-androgenic WHY YOU SHOULDN’T TAKE STEROIDS PT. 2

7. There is no cure to steroid abuse, if all the effects happen to your body than they are permanent, they can only be treated with HEAVY doses of medication • Injecting steroids orally or normally can cause the substance to become addictive, thus becoming a gateway drug for other substances • A lot of students buy steroids illegally on the black market, it can be contaminated, mislabeled, or bogus. You could secretly be slipped PCP. Source: http://dwb.unl.edu/teacher/nsf/c10/c10links/www.tcada.state.tx.us/research/facts/steroids.html WHAT HARM?

8. Steroid users may combine steroids with stimulants, depressants, pain killers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other hormones to offset steroid side effects. Paradoxically, this strategy further increases the chances of adverse reactions. • Anabolic androgenic steroids are used medically for some forms of anemia, some breast cancers, osteoporosis, endometriosis, and hereditary angioedema, a swelling disorder. However, there is no sanctioned use of steroids for cosmetic purposes or athletic performance. Source: http://dwb.unl.edu/teacher/nsf/c10/c10links/www.tcada.state.tx.us/research/facts/steroids.html STEROID FACTS

9. Although users report increases in muscle bulk, strength, and endurance, steroids can not improve agility, athletic skill, and cardiovascular capacity. • Steroid abuse can have profound effects on the mind, causing temporary personality changes in some. Users may exhibit uncontrolled aggression and violent behavior called “roid rage,” in addition to severe mood swings, manic episodes, and depression.  Source: http://dwb.unl.edu/teacher/nsf/c10/c10links/www.tcada.state.tx.us/research/facts/steroids.html STEROID FACTS PT. 2

10. Be aware of the following symptoms of steroid abuse: •  Rapid weight gain and muscle development •  Acne flare up •  Fluid retention •  Jaundice (yellow tinge to eyes and skin) •  Mood swings and depressed moods •  Aggressive behavior •  Premature balding Source: http://dwb.unl.edu/teacher/nsf/c10/c10links/www.tcada.state.tx.us/research/facts/steroids.html HOW TO TELL IF SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU IS USING STERIODS

11. Myth: if you take steroids you will gain tons of muscle  • Steroid Facts: if you take steroids this does not mean you will “Blow Up” anabolic steroids are largely dependent on the food you eat, if you wish to be big you must eat big in conjunction with your anabolic steroids. Myth: Anabolic steroids are always illegal  • Steroid Facts: while the use of anabolic steroids is prohibited in many cases they are not always illegal, even for performance enhancing purposes. The country in-which you live will largely determine this but anabolic steroids are 100% legal in many countries. In other places such as the United States, although they are controlled substances they are legal to use with a prescription. Source: http://www.steroids.org/Steroid-Facts.php STEROID MYTHS

12. Make goals for yourself to reach, making goals encourage you to workout and stick to your exercise. • Push yourself, but know your limits, you don’t want to strain your muscles. • Always run • Stay on track, don’t skip a workout day • Eat practical portions of food and be nutritious • When working with weights, keep increasing, never stay at your max or you’ll never see muscle increase or mass increase. • You don’t need steroids to be big, you just need faith, determination, and hard work! HOW TO STAY FIT

13. Nobody want’s to be caught taking steroids, and most adolescents that take steroids share them with their friends and sooner than you know it, things can get out of hand quickly. You can abuse steroids and it can affect your social life and how you connect with your family. It can make your family/friend’s behaviors towards you negatively. HOW CAN YOU INFLUENCE FAMILY/FRIEND BEHAVIORS?

14. If your playing a sport in college, do not take any supplement you’re given without proper labeling or thorough checking. • Athletes usually take steroids in packs, don’t be apart of the pack, raise your self-esteem and don’t fall to peer-pressure • If given steroids, don’t just say no, take it to the coach or a supervisor. • Drugs are drugs and steroids is a drug, so avoid it at all cost. WHAT TO AVOID

15. Research shows that most students experiment with steroids during their high school years, so if your clean and going off to college, you don’t have to worry about steroids being strongly influenced in your life. • Most colleges, especially Division 1 and Division 2 universities are serious about who they recruit or sign to the team, they drug test. In college steroid use isn’t a major issue. OFF TO COLLEGE?

16. (1) http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/infofacts/steroids-anabolic-androgenic • (2) http://teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_ster1.php • (3) http://dwb.unl.edu/teacher/nsf/c10/c10links/www.tcada.state.tx.us/research/facts/steroids.html • (4) http://www.steroid.com/Steroid-Facts.php • (5) http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-steroids • (6) http://www.steroids.org/Steroid-Facts.php • (7) For the pictures • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steroid Work Cited