Anabolic Steroid abuse is a major concern in South Africa, and gyms have a zero tolerance policy towards steroids, however, there does seem to be a secretive steroids black market in South Africa.
If you talk to many well build body-builders, they will initially deny any steroid use, but as you get to know them, they start to open up about their past Steroid or performance enhancing drug use.
From News24:
“Types of steriods
In the fitness industry, the most commonly used oral anabolic steroid is Dianabol, aka Dbols, which helps users build mass in a relatively short time. It costs around R400 for 60 capsules.
The most commonly used injectable is Test Prop (Testosterone Propionate) which, according to steroid.com, promotes nitrogen retention in the muscle, and the more nitrogen the muscles hold, the more protein the muscles store. It goes for around R380 for 10ml.
One extremely dangerous steroid that some used is called Tren (Trenbolone Enanthate), which is in reality intended for livestock and referred to as the ‘greatest performance enhancing drug on earth’.
Directions for use would say ‘use 1ml for 100kg of cattle’. It is often used for its alleged fat-burning properties as well as reputed powerful muscle building, strength increasing and “hardening” qualities.
Clomid is another popular drug that’s used in post-cycle therapy, ie to ‘put you back to normal’. “
I tend to disagree with some of the content in the article.
“But in the fitness and sports world it is readily available, once you’ve found a seller.
One user (who requested to remain anonymous) told Health24 that there are always steroid pushers at the gyms, especially the larger ones.
They may approach you in the locker room and comment on your physique, thereby striking up a conversation.
Depending on your response, they may offer suggestions of how you can bulk up easier.”
This information is false, fake, a fantasy. I have never been approached by anyone and if I question anyone whom I suspect is taking Steroids, they will deny steroid use – outright! It takes them time to open up to you once you get to know them.
“It’s also not unheard of for personal trainers to supply those they are training with illegal steroids. “
Rubbish. Personal trainers would be taking a huge risk if they do supply Steroid to anyone. Personal trainers push a person hard to do their best, they will train a person to breaking points.
“They are also readily available online, although for every real supplier there are about 10 who run online scams and the buyer will most probably end up with a container of chalk rather than any performance-enhancing drugs.”
True, from what I understand, even the products purchase from sellers may be fake or dangerous. People are landing up at doctors with high blood pressure and other complications.
Jealous snitches and supplier rivalry
The biggest danger for a steroid user is jealous gym “friends” or rivalry between suppliers. You might find the police waiting outside the gym because a rival supplier snitched on their competition. Unfortunately, the user will be in the firing line and will get caught along with the supplier.
A gym “friend” is also your competitor, and unless you truly know the person, it is to be assumed that they will use the gym’s anonymous tip lines when they become jealous of your easy gains. Or it may just be religious beliefs or perhaps just moral guilt.
Side effects of steroid use
The side effects are quite sever and may include, among others:
- Aggression – Roid rage
- Acne
- Body and facial hair
- Abnormal breast development
- Baldness
- Increased blood pressure and strokes
- Heart attacks
- Male infertility
- Loss of libido
- Liver problems
- Hepatitis
- Liver cancer
- Mental health problems, including depression, concentration and aggression.
In women, the above and also include:
- menstrual irregularities
5 Ways to spot a steroid user: look for a distended gut/stomach, disproportionate upper body development, gynaecomastia (man boobs), acne, stretch marks and a sudden increase in muscle mass.
The saddest part of steroid use is the rapid loss of muscle mass when the user gets off steroids. It may take several weeks to lose all the gains, but it is guaranteed that the muscle will disappear compared to a natural body builder. Natural builder will maintain muscles for years, whereas steroid users will lose it all.
Bottom line: Don’t use steroids.
