Tank in answer to your injection comment in the other thread....
Oral pharmaceutical drugs, whether it be paracetamol or dianabol (a steroid) work by being designed in such a way that the stomach acids and other processes involved in metabolism do not break down the active ingredient. This is done by 'attaching' other molecules to the drug. In paracetamol these 'additions' also have the lovely effect of causing your stomach wall to bleed...
Next is the hepatic system, the liver is a regenerative organ in the body that cleans your blood, like an oil filter in a car. Toxins are removed and processed by the liver, the liver is damaged in this process and some of it dies, however as one of the only mammalian organs that can regenerate itself this is not a problem. However for proper functioning of the body the liver must be around 80% functional. Beyond this you will feel unwell and tired, as low as 50% functionality you will get a mild case of "looking yellow" or 'jaundice' as a result of iron imbalances. Lower than 30% you are at risk of liver failure and should be hospitalised.
A cocktail of 4 paracetamol (1500-2000mg) and couple pints of lager could reduce liver functionality below 50% and with the added intestinal bleeding could leave you vey ill indeed. Most of that damage is from the painkillers not the beers.
So why bring this up? Because once oral drugs have survived the stomach acids and other metabolic processes of digestion they then have to make it through what is called the "first hepatic pass" essentially, due to the usual good engineering we are blessed with, the body sends blood from the stomach and intestines through the liver first. This helps reduce the negative effects of any toxins ingested on the rest of the body. However this has the unwanted side effect of breaking down any useful drugs that have made it this far. So again science has created defence mechanisms, the drugs shed a sacrificial molecule in the liver allowing it to pass through unprocessed. However this molecule is poisonous to the liver (it has to be to do what it does) and thus damage is caused. The drug can then enter the blood stream fully and pass around the body doing its job before getting destroyed completely in the second hepatic pass later on.
Injections bypass all of the stomach acid issues and also the first hepatic pass of the liver, so by putting a chemical like testosterone into your muscle you can supply it direct to the bloodstream (the muscle percolates (drip feeds) it into the blood allowing a steady supply. To take enough oral steroid to achieve significant hormone levels would probably kill you.
The sum total of what im saying is that, yes, injecting yourself can be horribly dangerous, but so can sky diving, car rallying and crossing the road. You must rely on yourself and your bank of knowledge and experience to keep you safe. Do it right and its painless and productive. Certainly safer and better for you than taking any oral!
Also a few things to dispel that i wouldnt have known years ago if i was reading this...
Steroids are intra muscular injections (in the muscle) NOT intravenous (into the blood like heroin etc) thus the worst outcome might be an infection or a lost needle, both could require a trip to A&E neither will kill you.
Steroids are the 186th most common hospital admission in the developed world right behind fingers getting stuck in ten pin bowling balls...100 places below "multi vitamin overdose"
More people die each year in hot air balloon accidents yet only 1% of the developed world has ever been in a hot air balloon 8% are involved in some degree of steroid use 4% inject (although as we've discussed, that is safer)
Steroids are not illegal in the UK nor do you need a prescription to carry/use or import them, it IS illegal to supply them (in the USA it is illegal to carry them without prescription)
Your penis DOES NOT shrink
Your balls DO SHRINK (but come back its called glandular atrophy)
Im not here to say one way or the other about steroids, i see them as a tool, much like protein, the dangers are overstated and the effects are exagerated. But if you take this game seriously its hard to avoid asking yourself "would i?" its a question only you can answer and only you should answer, its about taking responsibility for your actions and the consequences. The results can be spectacular (for reference just look at any male physique you aspire to, its 90% likely its substance enhanced) but the side effects can be damaging (man boobs, acne, infertility etc). Thats about all ive got to sy for tonight.