National Drugs Helpline 0800 77 66 00
Steroids
(Delatestryl, Dep-testosterone, Dianabol, Dihydrolone, Durabolin, Enoltestovis, Equipose, Finajet, Juice, Maxibolin, Methatriol, Parabolin, Proviron, Quinolone, Therobolin, Winstrol, Winstrol V)
Steroids are only available by prescription. It is not an offence to possess the drug, but it is an offence to supply with Class C penalties.
What does it look like?
Steroids can come as pills or a liquid.
How is it taken?
Can be swallowed or injected.
What effects does it have?
When taken:
Steroids can make you feel much more aggressive and competitive. They can
increase your physical endurance and help you to build muscles
over time. They can also
shorten the time you take to recover after doing exercise.
Because they can make you feel more aggressive, you may become
violent and abusive. There have been reports of users being
sexually abusive
and physically
violent.
Longer term:
Long-term use of steroids can put the liver at risk of failing and you may develop hepatitis. The heart and kidneys could also be damaged and young people would find their growth is stunted.
Both men and women could find their bodies changing, and not for the better. Men could develop breasts (this would have to be corrected by surgery as it won’t change when steroids are stopped), and have erection problems. Their testicles could shrink and they may become sterile. Women could grow facial hair and/or body hair, their breasts could reduce in size and their voices deepen.
You could develop acne, lose your hair and look bloated (puffy).
Side effects also include sleeplessness, depression and paranoia.