Anabolic SteroidsThe superhuman drug

Shane Gleim

Anabolic Steroids

• Anabolic Steroids could be prescribed by a doctor but those who abuse this drug are usually using a dose 10 to 100 times the strength

• Anabolic refers to muscle building • Androgenic refers and helps increase certain male

characteristics• Main difference between other drugs and steroids is, this

is a synthetic drug meaning it does not derive from a plant

Who Abuses Them?• Most people believe that only professional athletes abuse Anabolic

Steroids• Recent studies show that steroid use isn’t a huge issue in high school

and college males and the media does not shed much light on these ages• However, being both a high school and college athlete I have seen more

than my fair share of athletes juicing and it going unnoticed• The media tends to focus more on the professional athletes even though

a recent study showed that of the 80% of abusers are non professional adult males

Steroids in the Work Force• Steroids have continued to increase in popularity, not only in athletes

but to the public as well• A CBS news study shows that the most common abuser is a male around

the age of thirty, well educated, and earning an above average income • Steroids have gained popularity in; Military, Law Enforcement,

Firefighting, etc• These people have no intent of turning into a professional athlete but

enjoy the benefits of increased muscle mass, energy, and increased confidence

How they are used?• Most common way to take Anabolic Steroids are either orally or to

inject themselves with a needle• Less common way is to use a cream, gel, or patch directly on the

skin• Forms of use

• Stacking – Combining two or more steroids at the same time• Cycling – Taking a dose at one time then taking a break and then restarting• Pyramiding – Slowly increasing the dose or frequency, reaching a peak

amount, and then slowly weening themselves off

Positive Side Effects

• Improved recovery time• Increased muscular size• Reduce body fat• Enhanced athletic performance• Increased physical strength and endurance• Increase in energy

Negative Side Effects• Abnormal testosterone levels and aggression• Eye damage• Hair damage (baldness)• Heart failure• Kidney failure• Development of breast in males (Gynecomastia) • Facial hair in females• Severe acne• Testicular decrease and sperm count decrease

These are only a few negative side effects of the many that can occur

Treatment

• Steroids can be highly addictive, speaking from a personal experience I have friends in high school who still cannot kick the habit

• If the user cannot stop themselves they may seek therapy• There is limited treatment hence why steroids are so

easily abused

Main Issue with Steroids and Athletes

• The main issue in my opinion with steroids and athletes is the testing conducted• High school and college have some of the most lenient testing standards if you

even want to call it a standard• They will only test if they see “reasonable cause” to do so but there have been

studies where adult men will add 30-50 pounds in a single year and that doesn’t deem “reasonable cause”

• Professional leagues are not far from the college and high school testing standards. If a player is caught they will get a fine and maybe a suspension but this only takes place for a handful of athletes in leagues smothered with steroid use.

Your Stance on the Issue?

• Do you think our sports society has become to tolerant of steroid use?

• Do you think steroid use is as big as a problem or needs to be addressed more in the public?

References

• "Effects of Steroids." - Positive and Negative Side Effects. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2016.

• Https://www.facebook.com/NIDANIH. "Anabolic Steroids." DrugFacts:. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2016.

• "Most Steroid Users Are Non-Athletes." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2016.