Steroid Abuse

What is steroid abuse? Depending on who you ask you will find the answer to this question can vary quite a bit. Defining steroid abuse can actually be very difficult compared to other types of abuse. For example, alcohol abuse is very easy to spot. An individual who drinks all day is going to stick out like a sore thumb, and while some can get away with it for a time eventually the abuse shows through. This is not the case with steroid abuse. Anabolic steroids do not have the ability to alter our mind or perception like alcohol or other drugs.  There is no scientific or medical evidence to support the idea of roid rage. In fact, there is strong evidence that supports it doesn’t exist.

When defining steroid abuse there is really only one definition that makes any sense. If the supplementation of anabolic steroids causes you no harm or anyone around you this is not steroid abuse. If the supplementation of anabolic steroids causes you harm or anyone around you this is steroid abuse. This is the only definition that makes any sense, but unfortunately we have not reached the point to where such sanity prevails.

Signs of Steroid Abuse:
The signs of steroid abuse are more or less the possible side effects of use itself. There are many possible side effects but they are dependent on the steroids being used, the individual’s genetic response as well as on the total dosing. You cannot say if you supplement with X steroid you will in fact fall prey to Y effect. It does not work that way. Internal side effects can include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and liver damage; however, there’s more to say. A healthy adult who supplements responsibly while putting in some effort to controlling his blood pressure and cholesterol can do so without any adverse effect. This is assuming healthy readings existed before use was undertaken. As for liver damage, only certain anabolic steroids can promote liver stress, but this can also be avoided with educated use.

Beyond the internal effects, there are direct outward side effects that are possible such as gynecomastia (male breast enlargement), water retention, acne, hair loss and body hair growth. Again, gynecomastia and water retention can be avoided even with supraphysiological doses if proper supplementation practices are followed. If the individual avoids such effects as well as maintains a healthy blood pressure and cholesterol reading can this be labeled as steroid abuse? Of course not, and there is no argument to support it being actual abuse. As for the other effects mentioned, such as acne, hair loss and body hair growth, these are largely dependent on genetic response due to the use of steroids with high levels of androgenic activity. Many will not see such effects occur. Others, such as in the case of hair loss may very well find hair loss accelerated if they are predisposed to male pattern baldness. They were going to lose their hair anyway, but the use of steroids may speed it up. When we look at the issue of steroid abuse, any argument or discussion must include this type of relevant information.