What are Steroids

A synthetic drug that acts like your body’s natural hormones, like testosterone.
Reasons steroids are used:

Increase strength and muscle mass Increase muscle bulk Decrease body fat Increase energy

How do they work

Steroids are injected into a muscle and travel through the bloodstream to muscle cells to make them grow. They are meant to be used for a 6-8 week period with a longer or equal break of time from use.

Equipment

Needle

Use an 18-23 G with 1-1.5 inch needle to draw up the steroid into the syringe. Use an 21-25 G with 1-1.5 inch needle to inject the steroid into the muscle. TIP! The smaller number of the gauge the thicker the needle.

Syringe

Do not inject more than 2mL of solution at one time. You can be at risk for abscesses or muscle pain.

Alcohol Swabs

Used to clean the area before injection to reduce the risk of bacterial infection into the bloodstream.

Biohazard Bin

Put all used needles into a biohazard bin and bring them back to the health unit for safe disposal

Safe Injecting 

• Only inject into a muscle (Never inject into a vein)
• Rotate injection sites to prevent muscle pain, tissue damage and abscesses.
• Where to inject:

Where to inject:
(Green = safer injection site. Yellow = don’t use this site often. Red=high risk site)

Note: Injecting into other muscles, such as pecks or biceps, can lead to nerve damage and other harm. Steroids work by traveling in your bloodstream and working with all the muscle cells in your body to grow. Injecting a steroid into the muscle you want to be bigger will not work and could lead to injury or nerve damage.

How to draw up and inject safely

Allow refrigerated steroids to warm to room temperature before injecting to reduce shock to the muscle.

Ampoule

Break ampoule open away from yourself using an alcohol swab as a shield to avoid cutting yourself. Insert needle and draw up the steroid.

Vial

Open vial and clean rubber top with alcohol swab. Push the needle through the vial and draw the plunger back with the amount of steroid needed. Remember to use an 18-23 G with 1-1.5 inch needle to draw up the steroid into the syringe then switch the tip to an 21-25 G with 1-1.5 inch needle to inject the steroid into the muscle. Remove air bubbles by flicking the syringe barrel to move air bubbles to the top and then push the plunger to push air out through the needle. Prime the needle - push the solution up the needle until a few small drops come out the top. Clean the injection site. Hold the syringe at a 90 degree angle and inject steroid into the muscle.

Safer ways to use steroids

General Safety

• Always use new equipment. Never reuse or share equipment; even sharing vials can spread infection because you don’t know where that person last used their needle.
• Make sure the package is sealed, hasn’t expired, and has clear liquid with no floating bits.
• Do not inject more than 2mL into a muscle.
• Remove air bubbles in the syringe before injecting.

Cycling

• Cycling is the amount of time you use steroids and the amount of time you take a break from using steroids.
• Recommended cycle 6-8 weeks.
• The recommended recovery period is equal to or greater than your period of use.
• Key point to remember about cycling: Taking a 6-8 week break from using steroids allows your body to naturally produce testosterone again, which helps your body to adjust and heal.

Riskier Practices

Bridging

• Periodic use of low-dose steroids during your cycle break.
• Bridging can interfere with hormone recovery and prevent the production of natural testosterone.

Stacking

• Using more than one steroid at a time.
• This can increase your risk of experiencing side effects.

Risk of Infections

Hepatitis B

• Spread through blood and bodily fluids.
• Spread by sharing needles and/or injecting equipment, unprotected sex, and sharing personal hygiene tools (razors, toothbrushes, etc.).

Hepatitis C

• Spread through blood-to-blood contact.
• Spread by sharing needles and/or injecting equipment and sharing personal hygiene tools (razors, toothbrushes, etc.).
• Hepatitis C can live for longer periods outside the body.

HIV

• Spread through blood and bodily fluids.
• Spread by sharing needles or other injection equipment and unprotected sex.

Follow the correct instructions so you will have the greatest success

09.12.2024