Drug Abuse In America Essay, Research Paper

Dangers of Anabolic Steroids

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 then 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.