Steroids: History, Science, and Issues

The risks of recreational steroid use are often ignored or misunderstood by those who try them. At the same time, the therapeutic use of steroids can be dangerous when they're used incorrectly. Part of the Story of a Drug series, this timely book is specifically tailored to address the questions and concerns of young people, providing readers with an accessible source of information for understanding steroidal drugs.

Chapters cover the history of steroids, including the development of synthetic steroids, steroid biochemistry, and the drugs' therapeutic functions, notably the importance of natural steroids in maintaining human life. The book discusses the current state of recreational use among athletes and students and of the dangers of misuse and overdose, and covers legal and governmental regulations relative to both therapeutic and recreational use of the drugs. The reader will come away from this volume with a comprehensive understanding of the pros and cons of steroid use based on current research, and grasp the possible risks—medical and legal—related to misuse of these powerful drugs.