FAQs

1. What forms do steroids come in?
   Powders and pills are taken orally.
   Gels and creams are absorbed through the skin.
   Liquid forms are injected through a needle into the muscle.



2. How do athletes obtain steroids?
   Athletes may obtain steroids from many different sources including, but not limited to: the Internet, personal trainers, friends, fitness magazines and physicians.



3. What are the short-term and long-term effects of using steroids?
   Short-term effects:
   Males may experience male pattern baldness, aggression (‘steroid rage”), development of stretch marks, acne, testicular shrinkage and breast development. Females may develop permanent deepening of the voice, facial hair, reduction of breast size and acne.
   
   Long-term effects:
   Individuals taking anabolic steroids in their youth have an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, liver cancer, suicide and potential for stunted growth.



4. How can you tell if someone is abusing steroids?
   The most obvious external signs that may suggest anabolic steroid use include significant acne, change in behavior, rapid weight increase or marked improvement in athletic performance.
   
   A physician might suspect anabolic steroid use based on acne, testicular size, development of stretch marks or male breast development.



5. What does the term "cycling" mean?
   Cycling can be defined as taking multiple doses of steroids over a specific period of time, stopping for a period and then starting over again. This normally occurs over weeks or months.



6. Is it illegal or cost prohibitive to randomly drug test student athletes in high school?
   It is both illegal in the state of Maryland and very expensive to drug test student athletes in high schools.