ANABOLIC STEROIDS

In 1990, Congress passed the Anabolic Steroid Control Act that placed anabolic steroids as a group into Schedule III of the FCSA. This act became effective on February 27, 1991.

Figure 7-27.-Hashish (sole).

Figure 7-28.-Hashish oil.

Definition of Steroids

The act defined the following substances, including their salts, esters and isomers, as being anabolic steroids: boldenone, clostebol, dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, drostanolone, ethylestrenol, fluoxymesterone, formebolone, mesterolone, methandienone, methandriol, methandrostenolone, methenolone, methyltestosterone, mibolerone, nandrolone, norethandrolone, oxandrolone, oxymesterone, oxymetholone, stanolone, stanozolol, testolactone, testosterone, and trenbolone. In addition, realizing that the above list was not inclusive of all anabolic steroids, the act further defined the term anabolic steroid to mean any drug or hormonal substance, chemically related to testosterone that promoted muscle growth. Excluded from control were certain approved veterinary implant preparations used for their intended purpose.

Steroids and the UCMJ

As a consequence of anabolic steroids being placed into Schedule III of the FCSA, Navy service members who unlawfully possess, use or disburse anabolic steroids will be subject to punishment under Article 112a of the UCMJ.

Characteristics of Steroids

Anabolic steroids may be considered synthetic derivatives of testosterone, the naturally occurring male sex hormone. They have chemical structures and produce pharmacological effects similar to that of testosterone. The effects of testosterone and other anabolic steroids may be divided into two groups. One group is the anabolic effects. The principal anabolic effect is the building up of lean body tissue, particularly muscle, via a promotion of protein synthesis and a blockade of corticosteroid-induced tissue break down. The other group of effects are the androgenic effects which involve the promotion and development of the male secondary sex characteristics. Testosterone is essential during puberty for the development of a boy into a man. At that time, the voice deepens, facial and body hair develop, male pattern baldness may appear and signs of aggressive behavior may be evident. It is important to keep in mind that all anabolcc steroids, like testosterone, produce both anabolic and androgenic effects; thus testosterone and the other anabolic steroids may be more appropriately called anabolic/androgenic steroids. Anabolic steroids are formulated as oral and/or injectable preparations. With the exception of testosterone undecanoate which is formulated as a capsule preparation, all testosterone esters are strictly liquid, injectable preparations. Injectable solutions may be either water or oil based. Oil-based formulations tend to be depot preparations having a longer duration of action due to prolonged absorption of the drug.

Medical Use of Steroids

Anabolic steroids currently have limited utility in legitimate medical practice. In the United States, anabolic steroids are approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hypogonadism, hereditary angioedema, anemia and breast cancer. Anabolic steroids have also been used in the treatment of osteoporosis, malnutrition and trauma following surgery. Testosterone esters are particularly important as replacement therapy in men whose testes do not produce adequate levels of testosterone. For the treatment of anemia, breast cancer and hereditary angioedema, newer drugs have largely, but not completely, replaced anabolic steroids.

Abuse of Steroids

Over the past 40 years, several population groups have started using anabolic steroids outside the realm of medical practice. One such group are athletes. These individuals use steroids to enhance athletic performance. Such an enhancement may be achieved by increasing muscle mass and reducing tissue breakdown allowing for more frequent training sessions. Anabolic steroid abuse has been documented at the high school, college, professional and elite levels of sport. The use of anabolic steroids is primarily found in those sporting events requiring strength. Another group uses steroids primarily to improve personal appearance, and a third group includes individuals who are in occupations where strength is a benefit. This group includes police officers and military personnel.

Steroid Use

The results of a recent national survey applied to the United States population indicates that more than 1 million people are currently or have in the past used anabolic steroids. Slightly more than half of the 1 million plus users were 26 years old or older. The incidence of anabolic steroid use among women is much lower than that occurring among men. Anabolic steroids are used in a characteristic pattern. The doses of anabolic steroids used range from therapeutic levels up to 100 times the normal therapeutic dose, depending upon the amount of strength desired for a particular sport.