Clinical Problem of Interest

Clinical Problem of Interest

Anabolic Steroids and Their Effects on the Body

Even though governing bodies and media reports may have a person thinking otherwise, the use of anabolic steroids by athletes is nothing new or unique. The use of these drugs has been going on for some time throughout many different kinds of sports, and there is no reason to think that it will stop, despite the illegality of it and the dangers that are seen when athletes engage in the use of anabolic steroids and other drugs believed to enhance performance. The biological and psychological effects can be very strong, and can include an increase in desire for sex, aggressiveness, and an increase in behaviors that are typically considered to be masculine (Graham, et al., 2008). These behaviors can also include sleep disorders, paranoia, euphoria, confusion, hallucinations, and anxiety (Graham, et al., 2008). Naturally, these are the kinds of problems that a person would want to avoid, but the allure of taking steroids for high performance in sports can sometimes be too strong for some to ignore.

There is tremendous pressure to perform in athletics, and an athlete may not realize the severity of the risk when it comes to taking steroids. He may also feel that the risks are well worth it, because of the ability he will have to succeed in his chosen sport. Millions of dollars can be at stake for anyone who becomes a professional athlete. Of course, getting caught taking anabolic steroids can also ruin a career. Athletes have to be careful when it comes to what they do to enhance their abilities, and steroids are not on the list of acceptable substances. Still, many athletes will take the risk because of the potential for income and also because of the potential for setting records and enjoying the fame that comes with that. That will not happen to every athlete that takes steroids, but the possibility is there - along with the possibility of the adverse reactions and biological changes that can cause serious problems and difficulties for even the healthiest, fittest athlete.

Anabolic steroids are used for their ergogenic effects, and they have been proven to increase muscle mass in men who have already reached adulthood (Graham, et al., 2008)d. One of the most common drugs used is testosterone. This is a hormone, which is technically not illegal. Males have testosterone in their bodies already, and females have it but to a lesser degree. However, the majority of sports do not allow athletes to take extra testosterone or any other kind of performance enhancing or growth drug. There are three classes of people who normally take anabolic steroids, and the reasons behind why they take them differ. These groups are (1) athletes who want faster performance and stronger abilities, (2) bodybuilders who are trying to gain muscle mass and get bigger, and (3) recreational users out on the streets (Graham, et al., 2008). In the last two decades, the use of anabolic steroids has grown rapidly (Graham, et al., 2008). Those who use them on the streets or who use them for muscle mass are not concerned about the consequences. The athletes who use them to be faster and better at their game have learned all about the half-lives of the drugs and other factors so that they can avoid detection and not get caught and punished by the sport they choose to play.

Some countries restrict the use of anabolic steroids in athletes more than others, but in most places possession of the drugs is not technically illegal. Where the legality comes into play is in the governing bodies for the sports themselves, where the rules for that sport and the athletes who play it are set. If it is illegal for someone to take anabolic steroids and play that sport, that rule must be respected. Many athletes choose to just work to avoid detection, though, because they see that they are not able to compete with their peers if they do not take steroids in order to keep up with everyone else. While that is unfortunate, there is actually very little that can be done about it if the athletes who are using the steroids cannot be caught. These athletes understand the biology of steroids, but they may not be clear on the risk. After all, testosterone is a natural hormone that occurs in the bodies of all living people. How can it be bad to take a little extra? Often "a little extra" is actually not what is taken. Heavy doses of anabolic steroids are sometimes taken, especially by bodybuilders who are looking for muscle mass quickly. They cannot get to competition level rapidly and stay there if they do not use steroids, and competition level can mean money, prizes, endorsements, and fame that they would otherwise not get to enjoy.

They are destroying their bodies, though, and they are not the only ones. People who take anabolic steroids to counteract the street drugs that they take are also seriously harming themselves. These street drugs can produce cachetic and anorexic effects that the steroids balance out, allowing the person to take more of his or her drug of choice and not appear to be ill (Graham, et al., 2008). The combination of these drugs can prove deadly for a large number of recreational drug users who do not understand what is taking place within their bodies when they take these drugs. Overall, street drugs and anabolic steroids are a highly dangerous mix. It is not safe to take something that will cause several effects and then just take something else to counteract some of those effects. The balance between the two (or more) drugs can easily get out of proportion and cause more serious problems that the user was anticipating. That is often the case with anabolic steroid users who are athletes and bodybuilders, too. While they are often healthier than those who use street drugs, they can create just as many problems for themselves by using the steroids - especially now that they are becoming more common and are being used by younger and younger boys. The effects in teenagers are generally more severe, but teens are still using steroids.

The pressure to compete, even in high school, is so great that young athletes are turning to steroids without thinking about the consequences (Miller, 2011). In their assumption that they are young and invincible, and that their bodies can handle the onslaught of the testosterone and other hormones and drugs, they set themselves up for sleeplessness, trouble in school, anger, and other changes that are biologically based on the brain (Sudol, et al., 2007; Coffey, 2007). Even once they decide to stop taking the steroids, they may find that the problems they faced while taking them tend to linger. Not being able to do anything about those problems is something that will affect these young people for the rest of their lives. No matter at what age a person starts taking steroids, they cause changes in the brain and changes in the body. Most of the time, there is no real concern for this until the changes start to become noticeable and upsetting, and there is no reason for the person to be concerned. The changes may be first noticed by others, as a once-friendly person may turn angry, sullen, and aggressive. The body changes - gaining rapid weight and muscle mass - are apparent, too, and both are significant.