Steroids and Substance Abuse Treatment

The word steroids refers to a group of drugs that includes both anabolic steroids and topical steroids,  cortico steroids and other medications. Some of these medications are used to treat asthma, joint injuries and skin conditions. However, when most people think of steroids they think of “roids” the drugs used by bodybuilders and athletes to boost muscle growth.

It is common for athletes to ask each other if they are “on the juice”, or if they are using “stackers” or combinations of drugs and hormones to gain an advantage in their sport. This practice is forbidden in many professional and amateur sports, and it can be career ending for someone to be caught.

In addition to the danger of using steroids on a person’s career as an athlete, there are potential health problems that can be caused by excessive use of steroids. These problems include increased risk of cancer, as well as potential heart problems, gyno, changes in sexual features, aggression and mood swings.

Many people who take steroids become dependent upon them, although this dependency can be psychological. It is important that coaches and those close to athletes encourage them to consider substance abuse treatment if they are acting in a way that suggests they may be addicted to steroids. Steroid abuse is no laughing matter and it is important that anyone who is taking steroids be encouraged to seek help before they do lasting damage to their bodies.

Gym culture is an important influence on steroid abuse. If your gym turns a blind eye to the use of steroids then they could be an endemic problem, and something that could cause serious problems for people who are training and trying to compete at a high level. Good coaches will not condone steroids under any circumstances.

Methamphetamine And The Dangerous Side Effects

Are you a crystal meth user who is simply interested in knowing what kind of harm you are inflicting on your body? Or are you a parent, spouse, sibling or friend of a user who wishes to help by shedding light on the negatives of drug abuse? Whoever you are and whatever your intentions are it is obvious that you require information on the side effects of crystal meth, particularly brain damage. On the streets it is known as meth or speed. In criminal law terms it is considered a dangerous dependence inducing substance and an extremely addictive stimulant. Once seen as 'poor man's cocaine', it has a long history of destroying families but little is ever said about its long term side effects on the brain.

'A Forest Fire Of Damage'

An M.R.I. image of a methamphetamine addict's brain showed "a forest fire of brain damage" that was even beyond the expectations of Dr. Paul Thompson, an expert on brain mapping from the University of California, Los Angeles. When one first hears of the real time effects of crystal meth on the brain the first impulse is to rubbish such claims, but in reality it pretty much sums up what is happening up there in the brain. Tissue damage extending to parts of the brain responsible for memory, cravings, mood and emotion has been noted in recent studies, as well as the abnormal swelling of the brain.

The Shadow Of Damage

The use of methamphetamine not only has harmful effects on the user, even the unborn fetus of an expectant user can experience neurological problems as well. Meth can harm the baby's brain in ways that only manifest themselves once the baby is born alive, like difficulties with memory, speech, social interaction and co-ordination. While it is said that the effects of meth on the brain cannot be separated from other factors, this does not mean that you are safe from the carnage. This simply means that denial-ism can result in further use and further harm to the brain.

It is no lie, methamphetamine addiction is scary when looked at from the point of view of medical science. In light of the fact that damage is irreversible there is a greater need for action on the part of any user than ever before.

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