The sports world was shocked when Canadian Ben Johnson was denied his gold medal at the 1988 Olympics after tests showed he had taken anabolic steroids. The incident called international attention to the use of anabolic steroids among world-class athletes to gain competitive advantage.Still, athletes and nonathletes persist in taking them. Teenagers are taking anabolic steroids not just to succeed in sports but to enhance their self-images by perfecting their physiques.

            The nonmedical use of anabolic steroids raises more ethical and moral issues. Steroids use is illegal. Users acquire these drugs through illicit and expensive ways. Athletes who use these drugs are cheating. They gain an unfair advantage over opponents and violate the ban on steroids imposed by most major sports organizations.

What are anabolic steroids ?

            Steroids are drugs derived from hormones. Anabolic steroids include one group of these hormonal drugs. In certain cases, some may have therapeutic value.  Anabolic steroids - or more precisely, anabolic/androgenic steroids - belong to a group known as ergogenic, or so-called "performance-enhancing," drugs. The medical ones are synthetic derivatives of testosterone, a natural male hormone. "Anabolic" means growing or building. "Androgenic" means "masculinizing" or generating male sexual characteristics.

            Most healthy males produce between 2 and 10 milligrams of testosterone a day. (Females do produce some testosterone, but in rare amounts.) The hormone's anabolic effects help the body retain dietary protein, thus aiding growth of muscles, bones, and skin. The androgenic characteristics of testosterone are associated with masculinity. They foster the maturing of the male reproductive system in puberty, the growth of body hair and the deepening of the voice. They can affect aggressiveness and sex drive.

Do They Really Work?

            Anabolic steroids are designed to mimic the body building traits of testosterone while minimizing its "masculinizing" effects. There are several types, with various combinations of anabolic and androgenic properties. The International Olympics Committee to date has placed 17 anabolic steroids and related compounds on its banned list.

             Athletes who have used anabolic steroids-as well as some coaches, trainers, and pysicians do report significant increases in lean muscle mass, strength, and endurance. But no studies show that the substances enhance performance. Anabolic steroids do not improve agility, skill or cardiovascular capacity.Some athletes insist that these substances aid in recovery from injuries, but no hard data exists to support the claim.

                                          Theodore J. Cicero, Ph.D., and Lynn H. O'Connor, Ph.D., 1990

Megadosing

            Anabolic steroids are usually taken in pill form. Some that cannot be absorbed orally are taken by injection. The normal prescribed daily dose for medical purposes usually averages between 1 and 5 milligrams. Some athletes, on the other hand, may take up to hundreds of milligrams a day, far exceeding medically recommended dosages.

            Operating on the faulty "more-is-better" theory, some athletes engage in a practice known as "stacking." They take many types of steroids, sometimes in combination with other drugs such as stimulants, depressants, pain killers, anti-inflammatories, and other hormones. Many users "cycle," taking the drugs for 6 to 12 weeks or more, stopping for several weeks and then starting another cycle. They may do this in the belief that by scheduling their steroids intake, they can manipulate test results and escape detection. It is not uncommon for athletes to cycle over a period of months or even years.

Health Hazards

            Although controlled studies on the long-term outcome of megadosing with anabolic steroids have not been conducted, extensive research on prescribed doses for medical use has documented the potential side effects of the drug, even when taken in small doses. Moreover, reports by athletes, and observations of doctors, parents, and coaches do offer visible evidence of dangerous side effects. Some effects, such as rapid weight gain, are easy to see. Some take place internally and may not be evident until it is too late. Some are irreversible.

The Dangers

    ... to Men

            Males who take large doses of anabolic steroids typically experience changes in sexual characteristics. Although derived from a male sex hormone, the drug can trigger a mechanism in the body that can actually shut down the healthy functioning of the male reproductive system. Some possible side effects:

• Shrinking of the testicles
• Reduced sperm count
• Impotence
• Baldness
• Difficulty or pain in urinating
• Development of breasts
• Enlarged prostate

    ... and to Women

    Females may experience "masculinization" as well as other problems:

•     Growth of facial hair
•     Changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle
•     Enlargement of the clitoris
•     Deepened voice
•     Breast reduction

    ... and to Both Sexes

For both males and females, continued use of anabolic steroids may lead to health conditions ranging from merely irritating to life-threatening. Some effects are:

•         Acne
•      Jaundice
•      Trembling
•      Swelling of feet or ankles
•      Bad breath
•      Reduction in HDL, the "good" cholesterol
•      High blood pressure
•      Liver damage and cancers
•      Aching joints
•      Increased chance of injury to tendons, ligaments, and muscles

               "Athletes would rather confess to cocaine use than to steroids use"

                                    Dr. Charles E. Yesalis, Pennsylvania State University

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Special Dangers to Adolescents

            The nonmedical use of anabolic/androgenic steroids among adolescents and young adults is of growing concern. Teenagers under age 18 may be abusing these drugs to improve athletic performance, appearance and self-image. Anabolic steroids can halt growth prematurely in adolescents. Because even small doses can irreversibly affect growth, steroids are rarely prescribed for children and young adults, and only for the severely ill.  Data gathered by researchers and doctors showed interpretive evidence that preteens and teens taking steroids may be at risk for developing a dependence on these drugs and on other substances as well.

Are Anabolic Steroids Addictive?

            Evidence that megadoses of anabolic steroids can affect the brain and produce mental changes in users poses serious questions about possible addiction to the drugs. While investigations continue, researchers have found that long-term steroids users do experience many of the characteristics of classic addiction: cravings, difficulty in ceasing steroids use and withdrawal symptoms.

            Adolescent users display a primary characteristic of addicts-denial. They tend to overlook or simply ignore the physical dangers and moral implications of taking illegal substances. Some athletes who "bulk up" on anabolic steroids are unaware of body changes that are obvious to others, experiencing what is sometimes called reverse anorexia.

Treatment

             Treatment programs for steroids abusers are just now being developed as more is learned about the habit. Medical specialists do find persuasion is an important weapon in getting the user off the drug. They attempt to present medical evidence of the damage anabolic steroids can do to the body. One specialist notes that medical tests, such as those that show a lowered sperm count, can motivate male athletes to cease usage.

            One health clinic considers the anabolic steroids habit as an addiction and develops treatment around the techniques used in traditional substance abuse programs. It focuses on acute intervention and a long-term follow-up, introducing nonsteroids alternatives that will maintain body fitness as well as self-esteem.

Safe-And Healthy-Alternatives

            Anabolic steroids may have a reputation for turning a coward into a winner, but the truth is that it takes a lot more to be a star athlete. Athletic prowess depends not only on strength and endurance, but on skill and mental readiness. It also depends on diet, rest, overall mental and physical health, and genes. Athletic excellence can be, and is, achieved by millions without reliance on dangerous drugs.

Education

           Prevention is the best solution to stop the growing abuse of anabolic steroids. The time to educate youngsters is before they become users. Efforts must not stop there, however. Current users, as well as coaches, trainers, parents, and doctors need to know about the hazards of anabolic steroids. The young need to understand that they are not immortal and that the drugs can harm them. An education campaign must also address the problem of covert approval by some members of the medical and athletic communities that encourages steroids use.

          The message needs to be backed up by accurate information and spread by

                                      responsible, respected individuals.