Shock went through the sports world when Canadian track star Ben Johnson lost his gold medal at the 1988 Olympics after tests showed he had taken anabolic steroids. This incident, and many more in the past 10 years, called attention to the widespread use of steroids among athletes. The International Olympics Committee banned steroid use by all athletes in its member associations in 1975. Since then, most major sports organizations have added steroids to their list of banned substances. These organizations include:
- National Football League
- National Collegiate Athletic Association
- International Amateur Athletic Federation
- International Federation of Body Builders
What Are Anabolic Steroids?
Anabolic steroids, or anabolic androgenic steroids, are synthetic variations of the male hormone, testosterone. They are designed to build muscle without increasing male characteristics as much as testosterone. There are several types of anabolic steroids, each with various combinations of properties.
Why Are Anabolic Steroids Abused?
Throughout history, athletes have searched for foods and potions to transform their bodies into powerful, efficient machines. Greek wrestlers ate huge quantities of meat to build muscle. Viking warriors ate hallucinogenic mushrooms to prepare for battle. Anabolic steroids are the modern equivalent. Anabolic steroids are not abused for the same reason as other drugs. Users are mainly bodybuilders, weightlifters, football players, and discus, shot put, or javelin throwers competitors who rely heavily on strength, as well as individuals who have self esteem issue and use the steroids for personal body enhancement as their opinions of themselves are generally low. While anabolic steroids have legitimate medical uses, they do not have anti-inflammatory properties like adrenal steroids. However, some athletes justify using them by saying they treat or prevent injury and build muscle mass. Surprisingly, a recent study shows that steroid abuse is not confined to professional athletes. Pennsylvania State University reported that 6.6 percent of 3,403 high school seniors, surveyed at 46 high schools across the nation, had used or were still using steroids. Recent studies report that children as young as 11 and 12 years old experiment with anabolic steroids. Increasing numbers of adolescents are turning to anabolic steroids for cosmetic reasons, many want simply to be stronger and look better. Users maybe 18 year-olds wanting better bodies, or 15 year-olds hurrying to grow up. They may covet athletic scholarships, dream of playing professional sports, or just want the girl of their dreams. But, the use of athletic steroids is not confined to males -female competitors feel the pressure to win, too.
How Do People Start Abusing Anabolic Steroids?
People who use anabolic steroids come from many walks of life: cities and rural areas, poor and wealthy families, all races and nationalities. The common factor among anabolic steroid users is the desire to look, perform, and feel better about themselves. To young steroid users, the idea of injecting drugs may seem at first a bit scary. The first time they take anabolic steroids usually, a coach, dealer or a friend who uses steroids injects the drug. Eventually, users learn to inject themselves. Typically, users take steroids in cycles and then stop. Many users believe they will only use steroids for a short time to get into shape or build up their muscles. Unfortunately, they quickly learn that when steroid use and training stop, muscles fade. Giving up steroids is hard when a person’s self-image depends on looks or athletic prowess.
Steroids And The Body
Physicians believe steroids build muscles only under certain conditions. In other words, taking anabolic steroids does not guarantee muscle development. Anabolic steroids increase muscles and strength only when combined with a high-intensity training program and high-protein diet. Anabolic steroids increase the use of proteins in foods so that their amino acids develop new muscle tissue.
What Are The Dangers Of Anabolic Steroid Use?
Anabolic steroid users are normally aware of the dangerous side effects. They believe these effects will happen years later, if at all. After all, they think, you can’t overdose on steroids. But the effects of anabolic steroids are long-term, and sometimes fatal. Most anabolic steroid users die from suicide, cancer, or liver and kidney disease rather than from overdoses. Many, such as Lyle Alzado, former defensive lineman for the Raiders, have allegedly died because of steroid use or its side effects. Still individuals persist in taking them While taking steroids, users typically have higher levels of energy, mental intensity and tolerance to pain. Many steroid users are unable to accept defeat or failure, or deal with life’s pressures successfully; as a result, they seem to have a predisposition to use other drugs as well, which they believe assists them in coping with life in general. Withdrawal from steroid use generally results in depression, some may need assistance in dealing with this depression successfully, other as a result of this depression have committed suicide.
