Anabolic steroids are a synthetic version of testosterone, the male sex hormone responsible for the growth of long bones and muscles, and for masculine features such as facial hair and a deeper voice. Steroids are strong prescription drugs with specific medical purposes. They are a controlled substance, treated similarly in law to heroin or cocaine. This has fueled the supply and sale of steroids on the black market, where some come from licensed manufacturers, but most are counterfeit. As a result, the steroids that young people take may be impure or unclean.
Some young men use steroids to increase their performance in sport.
Others use steroids to change their appearance. In either case, it is a growing problem. For many young men, the pressures to build a well-developed body are powerful, personal motivations. They associate this type of body with fame, respect, and sex appeal. These young men see steroids as the solution.