In the United States, supplements such as tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) and androstenedione, street name “andro”, previously could be purchased legally without a prescription through many commercial sources, including health food stores. Steroidal supplements can be converted into testosterone or a similar compound in the body. Less is known bout the ide effects of steroidal supplements, but if large quantities of these compounds substantially increase testosterone levels in the body, then they also are likely to produce the same side effects as anabolic steroids themselves. The purchase of these supplements, with the notable exception of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) became illegal after the passage in 2004 of amendments to the Controlled Substances Act. The congressional hearings in March of 2005 about the reports of steroid abuse by professional athletes, many of whom are regarded as role models by young people, highlight the fact that we are now facing the very damaging message that is becoming pervasive in our society that bigger is better, and being the best is more important than how you get there. There is great risk that adolescents will be vulnerable to these messages about anabolic steroids and will be far less concerned about the long-term health risks to their bodies and their minds.
Commonly abused steroids include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Anadrol: (oxymetholone)
- Deca-Durabolin: (nandrolone decanoate)
- Dianabol: (methandrostenolone)
- Durabolin: (nandrolone phenpropionate)
- Depo-Testosterone: (testosterone cypionate)
- Equipoise: (boldenone undecyclenate)
- Tetrahydrogestrinone: (THG)
- Winstrol: (stanozolol)
