Drug and alcohol information for PDHPE students

This guide takes you to key eresources, books and information about drugs and alcohol for PDHPE students.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are kindly advised that this website includes images, sounds and names of people who have passed.

All users should be aware that some topics or historical content may be culturally sensitive, offensive or distressing, and that some images may contain nudity or are of people not yet identified. Certain words, terms or descriptions may reflect the author's/creator's attitude or that of the period in which they were written, but are now considered inappropriate in today's context.

Key to library resources

Access anywhere with a library card In the Library (or anywhere with a Library card for NSW residents)
Available to access in the library Only in the Library
Publicly available online Publicly available

Steroids

Steroids and performance enhancing drugs

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (referred to as ‘anabolic steroids’ or simply ‘steroids’) are typically derivatives of testosterone. Testosterone is the natural male hormone that is responsible for the primary and secondary sex characteristics such as body hair, deepening of the voice, development of the male sex organs and sex drive. Steroids can assist in the growth and repair of tissues, mainly skeletal muscles and bones (anabolic effects). They also have an effect on the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics (androgenic effects).

Steroids were developed to treat medical conditions and have been prescribed to restore hormone levels in hypogonadal men (a condition in which the body does not produce enough testosterone), improve bone density, and to increase body weight and muscle mass in wasting syndromes associated with HIV. They are a member of a class of drugs referred to as ‘performance and image-enhancing drugs’, which are substances used to enhance sporting or athletic performance or physical appearance. Although groups like bodybuilders, weightlifters and athletes may use steroids for competitive advantage, some men use them to achieve a muscular physique.

Read more about steroids here.

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Drug facts

Use the following websites to find information about specific drugs, including their long and short term effects, how they are used, legal status and information on mixing drugs.

Journal articles

Journal articles are a good source of explanations and discussions of drug and alcohol issues.  There are several eresources with links to journal articles available in the State Library.

A quick guide to drugs and alcohol

Further information from Drug Info

Visit the Drug Info website for free drug and alcohol information for the community of NSW. Drug Info is a partnership between NSW Ministry of Health and the State Library of NSW.