Anabolic Steroids Essay, Research Paper

In the past three decades, steroids has been becoming a serious problem more

than ever in the athletic field. Steroids are anabolic drug "to build"

growth hormones that include the androgens (male sex hormones) principally

testosterone and estrogen and progestogens (female sex hormones). Steroids were

first developed for medical purposes. They’re used in controlling inflammation,

strengthening weakened hearts, preventing conception, and alleviating symptoms

of arthritis and asthma. Unfortunately research has shown that steroids have

been abused in almost every kind of sport. Although steroids contribute to a

muscular body, usage should remain illegal because they physically deteriorate

and mentally destroy the body. Many people are fascinated about steroids because

of their ability to build up the body. Whether taken by injection or the pill it

increases strength and endurance. Steroids also help in the healing process of

muscular tissue by first injuring them, then the muscles heal quicker adding

more fiber increasing their bulk. Many athletes turn to steroids more often

because they’re cheaper than marijuana or cocaine. A ten week cycle of

testosterone cypinate and methandrostone costs only about one hundred dollars.

Steroids are also very hard to trace because of their water base composition.

They can pass through the body within two days. All these benefits of steroids

help an athletes become more competitive and increase their chance of being a

winner. Of course everybody wants better biceps and triceps but when using

steroids to achieve this goal there is a large price to pay. However, steroids

should remain illegal because they physically deteriorate the whole body system.

When injected one risks the chances of developing hematoma and contracting AIDS.

In women steroids contribute to the growth of facial hair, enlargements of the

clitoris, shrinkage of the uterus, sterility, deepening of the voice, decrease

in breast size and irregularity of the menstrual cycle. In men steroids cause

shrinkage of the testicles, decrease in sperm count, sterility, impotence,

prostate enlargement and growth of female breast. In both men and women hair

loss, liver ailments, acne, atherosierosis and cancer are very common. This

dangerous drug shortens the life span up to twenty years and increases the

chance of obtaining diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. The side

effects and reactions from enduring anabolic steroids are endless. Along with

the physical problems there are also mental reactions associated with the usage

of steroids. This drug becomes very addictive and damaging to the mind. It

causes violent episodes which an athlete can claim a legal insanity defense to

it. They get so wrapped up psychologically that the negative effects doesn’t

matter to them. Research has also discovered that steroids cause psychotic side

effects sometimes referred to as "roid mania". Along with these are

wild aggressive, combative behavior, depression, listlessness and delusions

during and after performance. Even though the game is over athletes want to

continue competing. Steroids mentally destroy the brain and ability to reason.

Overall the usage of steroids is very damaging to the human body. Even though it

physically builds up the body for better performance the risks of use are

enormous. Steroids physically deteriorate and mentally destroy the body. The

usage of steroids provides an unfair advantage to non-user athletes and

therefore should remain illegal for non-medical use.