Last updated : December 16, 2024
PEDs, or performance-enhancing drugs, have legitimate medical uses such as aiding athletes in quicker recovery times. These drugs are also abused by some athletes striving to be number one. If they increase their performance levels, it gives them an advantage over other competitors. Moreover, it’s not just adults we’re talking about here. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that a growing number of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students abuse these drugs as well.
And should anyone abusing these steroids get called up for a drug test, the length of time that they remain in the system may come as quite a surprise.
It depends on the steroid
Anabolic steroids are the drugs used to enhance performance and the length of time that these drugs can be detected in the body varies. One determining factor is whether or not the drugs are taken in pill form or injected. If injecting steroids, the drug metabolites remain in the body notably longer than when taken in pill form. Overall, the range of time that PEDs remain in the body is from as little as a few days up to as long as 18 months after the last dose is taken.
Most sports authorities—or anxious parents who suspect their child is using steroids—rely on the urine test. Drug tests don’t automatically contain the test panels needed to detect these drugs. However, contacting a drug testing company and specifying that you want to test for these types of drugs is all you have to do to get the job done.
The following list specifies how long someone can test positive for specific steroids:
- Up to one week
- Andriol
- Testosterone Suspension (No Ester)
- Clenbuterol
- Up to one month
- Anavar
- Winstrol (oral)
- Testosterone Propionate
- HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
- Arimidex
- More than one month
- Anadrol
- Dianabol-Halotestin
- Primobolan
- Winstrol Depot
- Equipoise
- Masteron Enanthate
- Deca Druabolin
- Trenbolone
- Testosterone
- Acetate
- Testosterone Cypionate
- Testosterone Enanthate
- Clomid
- Nolvadex
Factors that influence detection times
Drug tests detect steroids in the system for varying lengths of time. For instance, PEDs are lipids, which means they are fat-soluble. In other words, the drug seeks out fat cells to stow itself away until excreted. However, since the body tends to hold onto fat cells, it takes longer to clear the system.
In the meantime, small bits of the drug are released into the bloodstream from the fat cells keeping it detectable until, after cycling through the system several times, the liver finally metabolizes it.
Other factors include, but may not be limited to:
- The type of steroid taken
- Method of ingestion
- Standard vs designer which is created to go undetected
- Type of drug test
- Dosage which is often between 10 and 100 times higher than prescription doses
- Length of time used
Adverse effects
It’s not a good idea to abruptly stop using PEDs because it can be dangerous for the user. Withdrawal symptoms are likely to commence which can include intense mood swings, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Less intense side effects include nausea, headaches, and increased blood pressure. Weaning yourself off the drug is the way to avoid withdrawal, but can be dangerous as well without proper medical knowledge.
According to the DEA, long-term use of these drugs carries serious health risks. They reported this information as follows:
The adverse effects associated with anabolic steroids are dependent on the age of the user, the sex of the user, the anabolic steroid used, the amount used, and the duration of use. In adolescents, use can permanently stunt growth. Women who use can induce permanent physical changes including deepening of the voice, increased facial and body hair growth, and the lengthening of the clitoris. In men, use can cause shrinkage of the testicles, enlargement of the male breast tissue, and sterility. Anabolic steroid use can damage the liver and can cause an increase in cholesterol levels. Anabolic steroid use can also induce psychological effects such as aggression, increased feelings of hostility, psychological dependence, and addiction. Upon abrupt termination of long-term anabolic steroid use, abusers may experience withdrawal symptoms including severe depression.
How soon do PEDs work?
Most abusers are looking to enhance muscle tone and increase their stamina and it’s not going to happen with just one dose. People using them to increase muscle mass must take them for at least two days before they begin targeting the muscles.
While steroids aren’t addictive, per se, chronic use creates a dependence on the drug. That means that the brain and body adapt to the presence of the steroid accepting it as “normal.” If users suddenly stop taking the drug, the withdrawal symptoms we mentioned slip into play.
Winding up for our pitch
Physicians do prescribe steroids for medical use but oftentimes people abuse these types of drugs. Professional athletes hoping to boost performance and build muscle mass are often the culprits. However, lots of teenagers are abusing PEDs as well. Sometimes, only to improve the way their body looks which is not a good idea.
Long-term use puts users at an increased risk of suffering serious health issues which include stunted growth when used by adolescents.
Using PEDs to get ahead in the game is an underhanded approach to being the best that you can be. Rather than using drugs, that are likely to cause harm in the long run. Try eating right, getting enough sleep, and not over-focusing on your performance. Another great way to hone your skill is to practice, practice, practice!
Winning the right way builds self-worth and will keep you on top of the world. Cheating, however, is apt to eat away at you from the inside out. Moreover, when cheating includes using PEDs over the long term, you are damaging your body and it’s not going to be a pretty picture in the end.
