Athletes using steroids for an extended period of time face damaging and potentially fatal side effects. Anabolic steroids are “synthetically produced variants of the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone” (“anabolic steroids”). Anabolic means “tissue building” (“anabolic steroids”). They have many nicknames like “Arnolds, Gym Candy, Pumpers, roids, Stackers, Weight Trainers and Juice” (“Anabolic Steroids”). Anabolic steroids are androgenic drugs. This means that they “promote masculine characteristics” (“Anabolic Steroids”). Anabolic steroids can be administered in two ways, orally or by intramuscular injection. Most abusers use “a combination of oral doses and injections in cycles of six to twelve weeks” (Anderson). They typically take steroids for “a limited period of time to achieve a particular goal” (“Anabolic Steroids”). Stacking (Anderson) involves using multiple steroid preparations and increasing the dose over time. Some abusers may take up to one hundred times normal therapeutic doses of anabolic steroids (“anabolic steroids”). Oral preparations are said to be easier to remove from your system than injections. This is a real concern. Athletes can take steroids, but eliminate them from their system before drug tests. Anabolic steroids are proven to produce gains in strength and muscle size "beyond what could be achieved with rigorous training and diet alone" (Anderson). They are said to be the “perfect performance-enhancing drug” (Minnie), but that is far from true. Although steroids are known to improve muscle mass, they are very dangerous. They are known as "a potential shortcut" (Minnie) and cheating. Most anabolic steroids are imported from the third...... middle of paper...... Steroid abuse. Drug Enforcement Administration, March 2004. Web. April 1, 2014. http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/brochures/steroids/public/. “Anabolic steroids and sports: winning at all costs. » Ministry of Health. New York State, 2010. Internet. April 1, 2014. http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/1210/.Anderson, Steven J., Bolduc, Stephen P. “Adolescents and anabolic steroids: a subject review.” » Pediatrics 99.6 (2014): 904. Web.Devlin, Hannah. “Steroid use benefits athletes for decades.” Times October 28, 2013: 1. Print. Minnie, Ken, Coach. “Synthetic steroids: ugly and dangerous things. » MasterFile April 1, 2004: 14-17. Print.Schuler, Lou. “The juice is loose.” Men's Fitness 21.2 (2005): 70-75. Web.Shafa, Dariush. “Steroid use poses serious health risks to bulking individuals.” Messenger-Inquirer January 25, 2009: Print.