Steroids have been used for decades by bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts from all over the world. They are mainly used for bodybuilding and endurance building. However, they are also used for a wide range of medical applications. So, are steroids illegal? Well, the answer is yes and no. When steroids are prescribed by a doctor, they are legal. If they are used for simply bodybuilding and endurance building, they are not legal. That said, what makes a steroid legal is a valid prescription. Without a prescription, possession of steroids is considered a drug offense, a crime that is clearly defined in law. In fact, first time offenders can expect to spend up to one year in jail and pay a fine that is not less than $1,000. While steroids may be illegal on US soil, they are still legal in many other parts of the world.
Obtaining Legal Steroids
Only a doctor can prescribe a legal steroid for medical purposes, such as;
i) Anemia Treatment
Anadrol is known to increase the number of red blood cells in the body. This means that it can have tremendous benefits to anemic patients. In fact, this anabolic steroid was developed as a treatment for anemia. If you have a low red blood cell count, you can easily get a doctor to write a prescription for steroids. Unfortunately, the dose will be much lower than you would need for performance enhancement.
ii) Delayed Puberty
If you are a man who has experienced delayed puberty, you can get a steroid prescription from any doctor. Delayed puberty is caused by low testosterone production in the body. Most steroids mimic the effects of testosterone, so they can help alter physiological processes and stimulate the body into developing primary and secondary sexual characteristics. With this prescription, you can legally purchase, possess and use steroids in the United States. Long term use of these steroids may have performance enhancement benefits.
iii) Weight Gain
If you are severely underweight for one reason or another, a doctor can prescribe anabolic steroids to help you increase your weight to healthy levels. Usually, patients suffering from HIV or cancer find it difficult to put on weight. Unfortunately, anyone who looks thin due to medical reasons is discriminated against by society. After using steroids for a couple of months, these patients can regain a healthy weight and avoid the stigma associated with being thin. With a valid prescription, these patients can still access steroids for performance enhancing purposes.
As you can see, there are many ways to access steroids legally. Due to the strict control of these substances, people usually turn to the black market for these drugs. For instance, the only way to buy steroids for performance enhancement purposes is online. There are no brick and mortar drug stores selling steroids without a prescription. Another way to get steroids is to have someone ship them to your home from Mexico or any other country that has not yet made steroids illegal.
The main reason why steroids are illegal in the US is the serious side effects they are known to have. While these side effects can easily be controlled, they are simply unacceptable to the FDA and the government. That is why there are strict laws to discourage steroid use by the public.
