About Anabolic Steroid Abuse - NIDA Notes Tearoff Volume 15, Number 3 About Anabolic Steroid Abuse NIDA has issued an updated research report that summarizes the latest scientific information on anabolic steroids. The eight-page Research Report, Anabolic Steroid Abuse , is part of a nationwide education initiative launched by NIDA and several national organizations to counter a significant rise in anabolic steroid abuse among adolescents. Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances related to the male sex hormones, called androgens. They have a number of physiological effects, most notably an anabolic effect that promotes the growth of skeletal muscle and androgenic effects that foster the development of male sexual characteristics. Although the proper term for these compounds is anabolic-androgenic steroids, they commonly are called anabolic steroids.
Anabolic steroids are legally available only by prescription in the United States.
Doctors use these drugs to treat delayed puberty, impotence, and body wasting in patients with AIDS and other diseases. Abused steroids most often are obtained from clandestine laboratories, smuggled, or illegally diverted. Steroid abuse is higher among males than females but is growing most rapidly among young women. Abuse of anabolic steroids is motivated in most cases by a desire to build muscles, reduce body fat, and improve sports performance. Abuse is estimated to be very high among competitive bodybuilders and may also be widespread among other athletes.