Steroids are drugs which artificially increase human performance. A steroid is a synthetic substance which increases the displacement of male hormones and in turn increase muscle development and increases male sexual characteristics. For those reasons, steroids have both perfectly legitimate and morality questioning applications.



Examples of legitimate uses include helping to stimulate puberty among patients who are late in developing, treating some forms of impotence as well as holding back some of the conditions which are caused by AIDS. Steroids are also abused for the same positive effects that they have above. For example, those wishing to artificially spur body development, and those that wish to increase their bodies capabilities in both sports (through increased strength, stamina and endurance) as well as those that that wish to benefit from the aesthetic changes that steroids can induce.

If you are worried that your child, friend or loved one is taking steroids then the first thing you should ask yourself is why they would want to take them in the first place. If, for example, they have shown a desire to increase their strength for aesthetic or performance reasons this could be a good reason why they would consider steroid abuse. Other reasons include if they are into sports and are serious enough about their sporting endeavors to consider sacrificing their long term health in turn for the short to medium term benefits that can be provided by using steroids. It is also worthy of note that steroids could be given by a health practitioner for the reasons described above, so please consider this if you notice a rapid change in their body and fear it is as a result of voluntary steroid abuse. You could also consider if your loved one may be worried about their body's development, more likely among teenagers or young adults, and may be wishing to artificially inflate the speed at which they progress through puberty. For those people they may be experiencing side effects in the form of rapid muscle growth as an ancillary effect rather than the prime reason why they take the drug. It is worthy of note that people in that position may be taking the drug after being prescribed it, rather than without any medical consultation.

After considering whether or not there could be a reason why they are taking the drug, the next step should be to ask them if they are or not. Although this may feel daunting it is better to ask in a way which shows some concern, but is not judgmental while still being presented in an understanding and caring way. Should they not admit to this, but you are still worried about the possibility the next step is to have them tested for steroids through a urine or blood sample.

This can be done either through the medical route or through an independent contractor who provides drug testing consultations. It is possible to find them through doing a search online, or even through classified listings; always check if they are appropriately qualified before using their services.