The body builds up muscles naturally by repairing small tears in muscle fibers that happen during physical activity. The new muscle fibers are stronger and hence, over a period of time, they help in attaining muscle growth. Steroids stimulate muscle cells to speed up the rebuilding process, resulting in larger muscles in a shorter period of time.

Steroids can prove to be a faster way of attaining muscle growth. However, they can lead to hazardous consequences. Steroid abuse does not produce the “high” similar to that produced by other drugs, but they do affect the same pathways in the brain. Even short-term steroid use can make a person’s emotions unpredictable, resulting in the infamous “roid rage” that some steroid users experience.

The effects of steroid abuse range from undesirable to life-threatening. Long-term steroid abuse can greatly increase the risk of stroke and heart attack, even in younger users. Steroids can also damage liver and kidneys, potentially resulting in organ failure.

Studies on animals have shown steroid addiction is a genuine problem that can cause withdrawal symptoms, particularly severe depression. Some of the withdrawal symptoms associated with steroid use are:

• Fatigue
• Cravings for steroids
• Sleep problems
• Mood swings
• Increased risk of drug abuse like opioids to self-medicate for sleep and emotional problems brought on by anabolic steroid abuse