Sometimes prescribed by doctors for a range of treatments (anaemia, thrombosis), including muscle building. Athletes and bodybuilders use them to increase muscle and strength. Many young men also use them in an attempt to improve their body image.

Street names
Buying and using
Effects
Problems
The law

Street names

No specific street names but there are a lot of different brands. Some of the common trade names include Durabolin (Nadrolone), Stanozolol and Dianabol.

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Buying and using them

Gyms and body-building clubs are places anabolic steroids are bought and sold. They can be taken in the form of tablets, and are also injected.

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Effects

Can make users feel aggressive so they can train harder. They can also help users to recover more quickly from strenuous exercise.

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Problems with them

Steroids can stunt growth in children and young people and can cause liver damage at any age. Side-effects in men may include a reduced sex drive, lowered sperm count, a reduction in the size of testicles and even the growth of breasts. Heavy, regular use in women can lead to the development of body hair, a reduction in the size of breasts and a deepening of the voice. These effects may be irreversible even after steroid use has ceased. If the drugs are injected with shared equipment, then there are the added dangers of contracting HIV and hepatitis.

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The law

A number of anabolic steroids are Class C drugs. This means that they’re only available on prescription for medical use. It is not an offence to be found in possession of them in small quantities, but possession with intention to supply to others is an offence.