Anabolic-androgenic steroids are a group of hormones, which includes the natural male hormone, testosterone, and a number of synthetic compounds. “Anabolic” refers to muscle building, while “androgenic” refers to increased masculine characteristics. Anabolic effects are basically muscle growth. Androgenic effects produce secondary male sex characteristics like facial hair, body hair, deepening of the voice, and so on. In the 1950’s scientists were trying to isolate the muscle building properties without the masculinizing effects. This lead to the development of synthetic anabolic steroids.
The word steroid simply means a class of “drugs”. Steroids are hormones synthesized by cholesterol. All steroids are a four-ring carbon structure. All steroids share the number 17-carbon atom. The number of carbon atoms attached to the number 17 atom determines the differences in types of steroids, and by the way that hydrogen, oxygen, and hydroxyl groups are attached (“Anabolic Steroid Abuse” 52).
People use steroids for many reasons. Some are to increase muscle mass, increase strength, increase endurance, increase recovery rate, heighten aggression, improve performance in sports, improve performance on the job, increase muscle definition and leanness, to maintain appearance with age, and enhanced appearance. Different types of people use steroids. Athletes make up the largest group. These now include an increased number of amateur athletes. Aesthetes make the next group. These are male and female models that use drugs for cosmetic reasons. Third, “there are individuals who work in places where fighting is common. Such as police officers, bouncers, and prison guar…
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… program: Preventing drug use and promoting
health behaviors. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 2000.
Gruber, A.J., and Pope, H.G., Jr. Comprehensive Psychiatry: Compulsive Weight
Lifting and Anabolic Drug Abuse Among Women Rape Victims. New
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M.G. Di Pasquale. “Why Athletes Use Drugs.” Editorial. Drugs in Sports Feb.
1992: 4-9.
Taylor, W.N. Anabolic Steroids and the Athlete. Jefferson, NC: McFarland
Risks of Using Steroids Greater Than Benefits
Aaron Henry was 13 when he started taking steroids. He wanted to gain an edge in football. After four years of using steroids, Henry was 5’9″ and weighed 210 pounds. He gained weight and power from taking steroids, but that is not all they gave him. He experienced spells of vomiting, urinating blood, liver and kidney damage, ulceration over three-fourths of his stomach, a mild heart attack, and an aggressive personality (James 18). Henry was only aware of steroids’ positive effects. He was unaware about their side effects and health risks. Much of the public, just like Henry, is uninformed or wrongly informed about steroids. The media fails to show the negative aspects of using steroids. Because of this, many people think that steroids only have positive effects, but they fail to realize those using steroids can destroy their body and mind.
Who uses Steroids?
The public is under the belief that taking steroids will automatically make the user become built and muscular, which is not so. While using steroids, the user must still exercise. Some people also believe that the only way to achieve a muscular build is by using steroids, yet again, this is wrong. Many people who work hard achieve an excellent physique naturally. Male bodybuilders and athletes make up most of the steroid users in the U.S.; female athletes and teenaged athletes use steroids as well. One of the most famous steroid users is Arnold Schwarzenegger. Schwarzenegger has held the title of Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia. He used steroids before the health risks were known and before they were illegal. Another famous steroid user is Sergio Olivia. Olivia was also a bodybuilder and competed against Schwarzenegger. Both men no longer use steroi…
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Works Cited
Cochran, Lee. “Broken Promises, Broken Lives.” Argus Leader. 1 Sept. 1991 pp. 1B
Collins, Rick. Anabolic Steroids, Bodybuilding, and The Law. 1999-2000
Flax, Ellan. “Steroids: Few Demanding That High-School Athletes ‘Just say no.'” Education Weekly.12 Oct. 1988. pp 1
Iole, Kevin. “Steroid Use Persists Despite Damning Truth.” Las Vegas Review- Journal/Sun. 28 April 1991. pp. 1E
James, Michael. “Bulk Up, Up, and Away Go All Your Dreams. Even the Most Muscular Athlete Can’t Win From a Hospital Bed.” High School Sports. Feb. 1989. pp. 18-22
Lukas, Scott E. The Drug Library: Steroids. Springfield: Enslon Publishers, Inc. , 1994
Nuwer, Hank. Steroids. New York: Franklin Watts, 1990
Ribadeneira, Diego. “Steroid Revolution: Youngsters Increasingly Using The Drug Just to Look Good.” Houston Chronicle. 6 Nov. 1988. pp. 1B