The Use of Anabolic Steroids in Society Today Essay -- Papers Sports A

The Use of Anabolic Steroids in Society Today The use of steroids in our society today is very common, that is with prescription. But that is not the kind of steroids I am talking about, I am talking about Anabolic Steroids. Anabolic steroids are a very sensitive issue in the world of sports today. Even though the side effects are life threatening, men and woman alike continue to submit their bodies to this illegal drug. Anabolic steroids are taken either through pills or injected directly into the blood stream with a needle. In 1994, 1,084,000 Americans, or 0.5 percent of the adult population, said that they had use anabolic steroids, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Under Federal Law it is illegal to possess or distribute anabolic steroids for nonmedical uses. However, heavy demand has generated a black market with estimated sales of up to $400 million a year, according to a NIDA Research Report, Anabolic Steroids: A Threat to Body and Mind (NIDA July/August1997). Anabolic steroids are drugs derived from the male hormone testosterone. They promote muscle growth and increase lean body mass. Although anabolic steroids have many approved medical uses, some athletes and others seeking to improve performance and physical appearance abuse them. These nonmedical uses are illegal and carry many health hazards. There are many signs that one can look for in a person who is suspected of using Anabolic Steroids. There is dramatic gain in weight and muscle mass over a short period of time (NIDA September1997). Another is severe acne. Others could be water retention, baldness or hair loss, even in the worst cases severe and sometimes violent mo... ...nry no knows steroids are not worth the risk. â€Å"I am here to tell people and especially young people that yes it can happen and yes it will happen to you† (Mask p.1-2) Bibliography: References Anabolic Steroid Use. (1997, September). NIDA Capsule Series, http://www.drug- abuse.com/information/anabolicsteroid/steroid1.html. Questions and Answers About Anabolic Steroids. (1997, July/August). vol.12, http://www.nida.hih.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol12N4QASteroids.html Mask, Dr. Allen. (1996, July). Steroid Abuse (9 paragraphs). WRAL OnLine. Ullis, Dr. Karlis. Journal of the American Medical Association. 1999; 283: 0209-1. King DS. Effect of oral androstenedione on serum testosterone and adaptations to resistance training in young men: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. 1999; 281: 2020-2028.