|
2004/07/21, 02:34 PM
OK, let me have it. Anyone FOR steroids?
I'm 5'4", 110lbs, 37 years old -- I weigh less now than I did when I started trying to gain weight 20 years ago!
I'm done having kids, what are the true/worst dangers of using steroids?
Desperate
|
|
|
|
2004/07/21, 02:47 PM
Not sure how to reply. I can't tell if you're male or female. Name xanaDUDE and you're done having kids?? A proflie would help.
You gain weight and muscle by proper eating and exercise. Look to that first. At the bottom of the page in the fitbuddy block type steroids and click search. That will pull up all you want on the issue.
Welcome to FT and good luck.
--------------
Foolish consistancies are the hobgoblins of small minds.
Charlie
|
|
2004/07/21, 02:50 PM
steroids ...why?
--------------
The curse of the poo foot!!!
A.D.F.
|
|
2004/07/21, 06:16 PM
Try changing your eating habits first. I've always been a 135lb weakling at 5'8". After reading this site, changing my eating for the last year, and using strict technique and form in the gym, I'm now 185lbs today. You have to be willing to work for it. Don't cheat, and don't skip your gym appointments. Keep a journal of everything you do at the gym. It helps to know what you did last time at the gym in order to push yourself to do better this time. Hope this helps!
--------------
Motivation is nothing more than being proactive.
- Paul
|
|
2004/07/21, 07:56 PM
davis you gained 53lbs in 1 year? If so congrats thats amazing!!!
|
|
2004/07/21, 08:33 PM
nothing magincal about steriods man......if you don'teat well and have a good diet even the steriods won't build the muscle from mc ds hamburgers. Protein and carbs and good fats atribute to muscle building, not just hormons.
--------------
.......adversity causes some to break, but others to break records!
......minds are not vessles to be filled, but fires to be enlightened
......Confucious once said ,DO NOT play leap frog with a unicorn
|
|
2004/07/21, 09:06 PM
Most problems are due to misuse or overuse, here are a few reasons to NOT use steriods...a man can find himself feminine and a female can find herself masculine, heart disease is more prominent, gynecomastia or man boobs, headaches, kidney and liver problems, immune system difficulties, impotence, salt/water retention, changes to skin, contribution to baldness, and you can go fruity as in phycho, which some seem to enjoy as it gives them the "edge". Soooo, let's see, one hand - eating right and exercising deligently, becoming wonderfully healthy.... other hand - possibly screw yourself up royally? Here is a website that offers more information and if you do a search you will find many, many more informative sites.
go to http://www.steroidtruth.com/steroid_side_effects.htm
--------------
Veda
MISERY IS OPTIONAL
***When you are up to your ears in trouble, try using the part that is not submerged.
***The difference between a dream and a goal is a plan.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
|
|
2004/07/23, 10:47 PM
xanadude - do some research and decide for yourself. if some temporary gains in mass and strength outweigh the long-term effects of steroids ( liver and kidney damage, heart damage, tendon and ligament damage) than, by all means, you go, dude. The great thing about America is that you can do really stupid, harmful things to yourself, right? Oh, wait, the great thing about Mexico is that you can buy illegal substances to do harmful things to yourself!
Steroids are a way to temporarily increase size and strength, but you don't often see discussions about the depression and problems related to them. You have to keep increasing the amount you are using, and eventually you will have to stop because of health problems, at which point you will most likely undergo some deep depression as your muscles shrink and you realize that you threw your health away for some momentary vanity.
There have been many discussions about this subject, go to the bottom of the screen and put 'steroids' into fitbuddy - read some posts. Then do a google search on the subject and educate yourself.
I ,personally, like my jawline the way it is and am proud to earn my muscle mass the 'old-fashioned'way, but if you feel the need for fast gains, a large forehead, a wide jaw and heart/liver/kidney problems, by all means, go for it!
--------------
\"Achieving worthwhile goals requires a consistent investment of time and effort on your part....The rewards you receive will be in direct proportion to the consistent effort you put forth.\"
Brian Johnston, The Power of The Champions
|
|
2004/07/24, 07:21 AM
To many to justify their use.
Pretend that one of you children were asking you the same question, answer accordingly.
|
|
2004/07/24, 05:32 PM
Use of steroids for any reason other than treatment of a particular medical condition as prescribed by a physician IS misuse.
============
Quoting from vedakathryn:
Most problems are due to misuse or overuse ....
|
|
2004/07/26, 10:22 AM
I heard it caused death if u use 2 much.....Not sure though, so dont go by me
|
|
2004/07/26, 11:31 PM
Have any of you had any REAL experience with hormone supplementation? Have you spent time with athletes who are using?Perhaps you are doctors who have treated people because of complications DIRECTLY linked to steroid use? More people have died in the last year from legally prescribed drugs and over the counter pain meds. than from decades of steroid use.(at least in Western block countries,we don't know what those crazy Reds were up to)Steroids are not BAD,they just aren't for everyone.You have to know your medical history before you get involved with anything like this.There is nothing sacred about refraining from hormone use,it's simply another CHOICE in life.
--------------
There is nothing better in life than to crush your enemies,drive them before you,and hear the lamentation of their women!
|
|
2004/07/27, 07:19 AM
Yeah, you can say I have had a VERY real experience with them razor.
I am not a doctor nor do I think a person's choice to use them should be taken away if they are legal. But anybody trying to make that choice has a right to know that they have serious and potentially deadly side effects.
|
|
2004/07/27, 09:57 AM
Razorblaade, you do realize that your "facts" about medications killing more people then steriods are skewed right?
You do realize that maybe if more people die from over the counter drugs then roids is maybe because... Well.. More of the population actually use over the counter drugs then steroids? You thought of that, didn't you?
Thats like saying more people die in car crashes then plane wrecks so planes are obviously safer.
And anyways, where did you get that "fact"? You have any proof to back it up?
|
|
2004/07/27, 10:16 AM
What feeling of accomplishment after working out do you get from cheating? Its the punks way out.
============
Quoting from tmann98c06:
i just wonder how many people are really against steroids, and how many just go along with everyone else...
=============
--------------
\"Condoleeza Rice, Sounds like a mexican dish\"
|
|
2004/07/27, 10:30 AM
I am curious of what kind of jobs these guys have that use Steroids?? Everything I have read on them states a cycle cost several hundred and even up to 1,000 dollars.. LOL I have a lot more things I could spend my money on..
|
|
2004/07/27, 11:50 AM
tmann, unless someone is already huge and has reached their physical peak, doing "everything right" and making no gains would probably indicate a medical condition. Most people who say that they can't make progress aren't working half as hard as they could be or are too impatient to let the process work.
--------------
OSU Law Rugby....specializing in personal injury and pain & suffering.
|
|
2004/07/27, 10:43 PM
============
Quoting from razorblaade:
Have you spent time with athletes who are using?
Steroids are not BAD,they just aren't for everyone.You have to know your medical history before you get involved with anything like this.There is nothing sacred about refraining from hormone use,it's simply another CHOICE in life.
=============
Yes, I have spent time around a number of athletes (and non-competitive athletes) who have used. Almost all have experienced 2 or more of the following;
a) Got busted & banned from competition for periods long enough to end there athletic careers in that sport.
b)Gotten themselves into a nightmare of legal problems.
c) Found that the only way to maintain their strength was keep using more & if they got off, lost their strength quickly.
d) Developed high blood pressure, gynecomastia (BTs) along with a puffy look.
e) Ruptured a major tendon.
f) Ruined relationships do to erratic behaviour.
I don't think of choosing not to use banned substances as a sacred choice but simply a wise one.
|
|
2004/07/28, 09:38 AM
That is a given
============
Quoting from ursusarktos:
Use of steroids for any reason other than treatment of a particular medical condition as prescribed by a physician IS misuse.
=============
--------------
Veda
MISERY IS OPTIONAL
***When you are up to your ears in trouble, try using the part that is not submerged.
***The difference between a dream and a goal is a plan.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
|
|
2004/07/28, 09:12 PM
not to be a prick but...arnold looks pretty healthy :)
The whole banned drug for a reason doesnt really cut it..I heard Andro is banned now too..
I personally wouldnt take it because of the risked sideeffects..however its your choice so long as its legal. Research it and make up your own mind about it.
then again...who am i to be giving advice on this sort of issue..lol
|
|
2004/07/28, 09:18 PM
Arnolds ateroid use was strictly administered by physicians. Steroids in those days aren;t nearly as powerful as they are now. You also have no idea what health problems Arnie has now or may have later.
--------------
Waterskis with buffalos
Charlie
|
|
2004/07/28, 09:29 PM
I forgot G)
g) After getting banned/busted go on paid speaking tours warning against steroid use. :):surprised::(
BTW, Arnie needed heart surgery a few years (but it was a genetic condition - yeah, sure)
|
|
2004/07/28, 09:31 PM
oops ....a few years ago.
|
|
2004/07/28, 11:04 PM
I SO LOVE WHAT THOSE STEROIDS LOOK LIKE ON A MAN...BUT ALAS...THEY SURE MAKE A MAN WELL THEY GIVE A MAN SOME REALLY BAD SIDE EFFECTS AND LOTS OF TIME THEY DONT GO AWAY EVER!!! so no matter how sexy I think that looks as a woman, I'd have to vote NO. Unless youre a PRO like my Gunter...I'd surely stay out of the relm of that drug area. The truth about steroids use: expensive, health risk, no pkg., sex drive no sex drive, emotional hell, and the addition to wanting to stay that size. Oh now lets get to the hard part: the workout the eating plan the sleeping plan the supplements needed. Boy, just eat food, come over I'll get ya fatten up :):dumbbell:
|
|
2004/07/29, 05:59 PM
Arnold has had a heart attack. Don't get me wrong, he's the prime example of fitness, but I am willing to bet that heart attack is a result of his steriod use.
--------------
- Its never about how much you can lift, or how many reps you do. Its just about doing it, and doing it right.
- If your hungry all the time, your not eating enough. And anyways, being hungry sucks.
~Brad~
|
|
2004/07/29, 06:38 PM
There's a whole more to being fit than looking fit. If an able bodied person is ultra muscular with super low body fat, yet can't run 2 or 3 miles in a decent time to save his life, he's hardly fit.
|
|
2004/07/29, 08:15 PM
her gunter?
--------------
if you kick a tiger in the @$$ , you then have to descide what to do with the teath end.
any guy can hold a girl by the hand, but only the select few can hold her by her feet!
|
|
2004/07/30, 09:42 AM
CC,
Is that an open invitation (to get fattened up)or just for xanadude? :big_smile::big_smile::big_smile:
|
|
2004/08/02, 09:31 PM
Now that is an intelligent answer.I actually do recognize that steroids CAN have some drawbacks,but are not the destroyers of American society that some would have you believe.As for the comparisons to other KNOWN causes of death in American society,or mortality rates,there is alot of research published,and honestly,I can't off the top of my head remember where I saw them.I do remember looking it up for a client because of a question on deaths caused by tobacco,alcohol abuse,and unhealthy dietary habits,along with lack of exercise.Anway,you would be amazed at how many people are using steroids,either with or without prescriptions,and if the hormones were as dangerous as the F.D.A. would have you believe,there would be a record of these problems,not to say that there aren't idiots out there practising unsterile injection technique(which to my mind is far more dangerous than using a synthetic hormone.)
Interestingly,the A.M.A. and the D.E.A. did not feel that steroids should be classified as schedule 3 drugs because of lack of evidence concerning health problems and social impact.(back before the steroid control act was passed.)
============
Quoting from ursusarktos:
=============
--------------
There is nothing better in life than to crush your enemies,drive them before you,and hear the lamentation of their women!
|
|
2004/08/03, 09:04 PM
Borpillicus,here are just a couple of the facts about what is really dangerous,again at least in the Peoples Democratic Union of America.Annals of Internal Medicine,12-16-2003:450 deaths caused by acetaminophen alone in 2003.Even better yet,J.A.M.A. published a study by Lazarou,Pomeranz,and Corey(4-15-98.279)which showed that doctor precribed drugs may be the 4th leading cause of death at 106,000(106,000!)victims per year and is at least no.6 at 74-76,000 deaths a year!And that's under monitored conditions!And were these people steroid users?So,yeah you are way more likely to harm yourself with an over the counter drug than with a few tabs of Dianabol.And I didn't even bring up other over the counter drugs and the problems people are having,but I believe the no. was around 40,000 I think,can't remember if fatalities or simply people treated for adverse reactions.Oh yeah,statistically planes are safer,and if you are comparing steroids to car crash fatalities,steroids win again for safety!And like I said these were only the tip of the iceberg in no. of studies.
============
Quoting from borpillicus:
Razorblaade, you do realize that your "facts" about medications killing more people then steriods are skewed right?
You do realize that maybe if more people die from over the counter drugs then roids is maybe because... Well.. More of the population actually use over the counter drugs then steroids? You thought of that, didn't you?
Thats like saying more people die in car crashes then plane wrecks so planes are obviously safer.
And anyways, where did you get that "fact"? You have any proof to back it up?
=============
--------------
There is nothing better in life than to crush your enemies,drive them before you,and hear the lamentation of their women!
|
|
2004/08/03, 09:30 PM
I looked at this web site,and what is interesting is that there have been several controlled studies involving testosterone enanthate,or heptylate,at 600 milligrams a week extended periods of time(6-10 weeks)and cardiovascular side effects or markers of such were not noted and liver enzymes were not elevated.Subjects gained lean body mass and lost waist fat which IS healthy by anyones standards.I'll have to dig around to find them again,and I'll be honest I saw the info about them in Muscular Developement,which isn't exactly anti-steroid.But they were controlled studies,not scare tactics published by Sports Illustrated or some other mainstream rag.A lot of these side effects are dosage related,so like any drug or supplement you have to exercise common sense.When I used steroids I rarely took more than 5-600 milligrams a week total.There are people taking 5-10 GRAMS week out there.Now that's stupid,and yes, that's where you'll find your side effects popping up.It's just that people in general don't realize that there's such a thing as sane steroid use and it's the meatheads who are ruining it for the rest of us.I have known HIV+ men who have been on steroids for years and, lifted weights ,who have none of these problems, and who regularly take about a gram a week of different anabolics+growth hormone.You would never know they had HIV.Oh well....
============
Quoting from vedakathryn:
Most problems are due to misuse or overuse, here are a few reasons to NOT use steriods...a man can find himself feminine and a female can find herself masculine, heart disease is more prominent, gynecomastia or man boobs, headaches, kidney and liver problems, immune system difficulties, impotence, salt/water retention, changes to skin, contribution to baldness, and you can go fruity as in phycho, which some seem to enjoy as it gives them the "edge". Soooo, let's see, one hand - eating right and exercising deligently, becoming wonderfully healthy.... other hand - possibly screw yourself up royally? Here is a website that offers more information and if you do a search you will find many, many more informative sites.
go to http://www.steroidtruth.com/steroid_side_effects.htm
=============
|
|
2004/08/03, 09:34 PM
OK razor I'm gonna go get some steroids tomorrow. You win. Enough.
--------------
Waterskis with buffalos
Charlie
|
|
2004/08/12, 03:35 PM
Why don't you ask Lyle Alzado, oh I forgot, he's DEAD. It amazes me how many times this subject comes up, and it is pretty easy to see that for the most part people here aren't afraid of hard work and not looking for a quick fix. If you want these questions answered find a place where people look for the easy way.
I am short of money, should I rob a bank?
:angry::angry:
|
|
2004/08/13, 12:26 PM
Or, just check out www.iwannashrinkmyballs.com for all steroid Q&As.
--------------
**_Robert_**
Pain is temporary; glory is forever!
E-mail: rpacheco@freetrainers.com
|
|
2004/09/01, 09:33 AM
i have had friends, old people now, 27+, thta have use steroids. my trainer has 2 years ago and he is fine right now.
not thaat i am thinking on takling them i am 17.
but i think age has too do a lot and so are the type of steroid and how you use them that will answer esteroids are good or not.
|
|
2004/09/01, 01:02 PM
Somepeople however, aren't wanting a "quick fix" just somthing to help them out. The supplement guide on here, even says most prohormone's actually have few side effects, and most side effect come from taking too much, or have prior health problems.
Question I ask is this.....
why do you take creatine?
why do you take fat burners?
why do you buy muti vitamens, or any other supplement?
To help your body do what your wanting it to.
If you take 50 grams of creatine 2 times a day for say a year? what would happen? Besides wasting money, it cxould hurt your kidneys.
what if you take 9 hydroxyuts in a day, for 4 months, to lose weight before a cruise, what would happen?
People growing up will smoke weed, to expierement, do crack, take some x. Some still smoke this stuff, and drink beer..........I have a guy on the squad that has expiermented with andro, and said he liked it, helped him alot, nothing is wrong with him, nor did he get "roid rage". I see no differance in take "somthing" to help your body grow.
I have myself expiermented with a form of this, wish may shock you guys, and some may even look down on me.
I don't care if you do, I don't smoke weed, or cigs, or drink, I see no differance in experimenting with this, than you all ( some not all) did growing up with weed, beer, x, crack, what have you.
So if you wanna come down on me for trying a form of "steriods" go ahead, I don't care. But just like you guys that take fat burners, creatine, whey, natural hormon boosters, I want results. I still believe in hard work, and I still work just as hard and watch my diet, just like all of you guys. I'm not "adicted" at all, hell half the time, I forget to take it. I researched it, i've worked out on my own for about 4 years now, i'm happy however bodyfat% wise i'm not where I wanna be. I'm not looking for a quick fix, or massive gains. Just liek you all that take creatine, fat burners etc. i want results.
( by the way its not illegal waht I take, nor am I saying take steriods, andro anything.)
--------------
if you kick a tiger in the @$$ , you then have to descide what to do with the teath end.
any guy can hold a girl by the hand, but only the select few can hold her by her feet!
|
|
2004/09/01, 01:23 PM
feel free to im me if you have somthing to say to me, that you don't wanna say here, I just say be civil as I was, and I posted this, to give you another side of the square.
--------------
if you kick a tiger in the @$$ , you then have to descide what to do with the teath end.
any guy can hold a girl by the hand, but only the select few can hold her by her feet!
|
|
2004/09/01, 01:43 PM
well, its all crazy i mean who cares how big you are...there are 2 types of people those who are want to big and just big so big that they becpme fat, or people who want to cut up and they get skinny.
|
|
2004/09/01, 02:10 PM
i am with ANDREW
|
|
2004/09/01, 02:42 PM
true strength and muscle gains don't come from a bottle or needle......I prefere mine the old fashioned way, hard work and diet.....I'm glad it is banned (referring to prohormones).
1.6 too much if you ask me, i rate prohomons with cigs and and other drugs. Personally if your a trully healthy person and wanna live life heathly and to the max, you should take none of the above including homones of any kind.
You might look good now, but later in life when you in your 50s and your prostat is huge and you have acne and "tits" and jaw looks liek a horse, your gonna wish you havn't. Doing any kind of hormone is like playing russian rullet, there 3 bullets and 3 open slots.......eventually you will shoot your self if you keep playing.
Andrew, normally I wouldn't say anything and attempt to steer clear of this discussion all together. However, over the last year I have watched you really jump on some people for suggesting steroid use, and the two quotes above are yours.
That being said, it is your body, and you risk your health at your own expense. However, be careful about what you say so passionately to people if you aren't going to stick to those very words.
Daniel Love
|
|
2004/09/02, 02:27 PM
yes I know, I have jumped on people, however those people, hwere taking them for a quick fix to get bigger. I am actually farly happy with where I have gotten so far. I still do hard work, work out and watch my diet. I will still tell people not to take them. I now know I'm Mr hyporcrite or whatever. However after reading many things, and researching things I see a supplement is a supplement........anything abused can hurt you.
I didn't know the other side of the sotry till I had some close friends of mine tell me about it. I now know both sides of the arguement.
but like is said why you take creatine or whey etc? Too much creatine can hurt you, to much of a giving vitamen can do loads of dammage.
--------------
if you kick a tiger in the @$$ , you then have to descide what to do with the teath end.
any guy can hold a girl by the hand, but only the select few can hold her by her feet!
|
|
2004/09/02, 02:27 PM
Message deleted by moderator due to unsuitable content for this board.
|
|
2005/11/27, 11:17 PM
============
Quoting from borpillicus:
Razorblaade, you do realize that your "facts" about medications killing more people then steriods are skewed right?
You do realize that maybe if more people die from over the counter drugs then roids is maybe because... Well.. More of the population actually use over the counter drugs then steroids? You thought of that, didn't you?
Thats like saying more people die in car crashes then plane wrecks so planes are obviously safer.
And anyways, where did you get that "fact"? You have any proof to back it up?
=============
Actually, planes are safer. That's a "fact".
|
|
2005/11/28, 12:47 AM
u do realize that this is a 14 month old post..?
|
|
2005/12/27, 11:55 PM
please stay away from steroids! this is an essay i had written about them in the past... hope u enjoy, or at least recognize some facts about steroid administration! thank u
Not Your Typical “Juicy Juice”
World War II marked the initial use of nuclear weapons on military and civilian targets, the tragedy of the Holocaust, and a compiled trillion dollars in war expenses. The worldwide devastation of World War II overshadows the alleged origination of steroid experimentation in Nazi Germany. Records show numerous accounts of hormonal manipulation and experimentation with prisoners of war and dogs. Scientists allegedly administered steroids to Nazi German troops to enhance their aggressiveness within battle (Yesalis and Bahrke 4). Contemporary medical records have proven that frightful side effects can be a more aggressive consequence. Steroids can facilitate career ending injuries and stunt growth.
Yesalis and Bahrke state that Doctor John B. Ziegler and Ciba Pharmaceutical have received credit for the initial synthesis of anabolic steroids. Russian athletes who were administered testosterone during the 1956 World Games. Russian and European athletes discovered the physical benefits and began breaking previous weightlifting world records with ease. Doctor Ziegler returned to the United States and developed the first documented analog of testosterone. Ziegler’s labs produced Dianabol, which is also known as Methandrostenolone, within the York Barbell Club. Ziegler conducted an experiment by administering five milligram dosages of Dianabol to selected athletes and examining the physical side effects. The experiment became ineffective when the athletes abused the Dianabol steroid (Yesalis and Bahrke 5).
Professional athletes, many in the prime years of their careers, continually attempt to administer steroids. Forty-four percent of Major League Baseball players candidly noted that they felt compelled to “juice up.” “Juicing up” has become connected with big time contracts that minor-leaguers strive for, scholarships that high school athletes play for, and the opportunity to build mass at a quicker rate for any aspiring athlete. Impacting steroid administration at the professional level of athletic competition will decrease the steroid use of aspiring adolescent athletes (NPR).
“Juicing up” is not legal at any level; however, the anti-doping procedures are too lenient for professional athletes. The lenient procedures are a negative precedent for aspiring athletes, because they do not deter the athletes from steroid abuse. Lawmakers felt that Major League Baseball’s anti-doping policy was filled with loopholes. Major League players received a minimal punishment through a fine versus facing a serious suspension for a first time offense. When the doping policy was presented before Congress, lawmakers felt it was in the best interest of the sport to adopt the policy of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. The agency is in charge of substance testing for Olympic athletes (NPR).
Major League Baseball’s lenient anti-doping policies were disrespectful to the sport and the integrity of the league. Senator Jackie Speier of California sponsored a bill to prevent sales of dangerous supplements to adolescents; however, that bill was vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (Adler 49). What type of example is that to teenagers who are looking for an edge in athletics? New Jersey Acting-Governor Richard Codey developed an eighteen member task force within southern New Jersey to prevent steroid use in New Jersey school districts. Acting-Governor Codey formed the task force with an executive order on July 19, 2005.
Codey stated, Sports teach about teamwork and fellowship, leadership and discipline, and good clean competition. Steroid use, however, is threatening this safe outlet. This is an emergent public health crisis, and New Jersey cannot and will not bury its head in the sand. We have a responsibility to help our schools and parents as they grapple with this alarming trend. To force school districts to make a decision on this own their own is unfair. They cannot and should not go it alone.
The News Report noted that Reverend Monsignor Michael E. Kelly of Seton Hall Preparatory, Peter King of Sports Illustrated, Robert E. Mulcahy of Rutgers Unversity are respected representatives of the task force. If additional task forces and bills to prevent the use of steroids were encouraged in the United States, the sales and administration of the illegal drug would dwindle. (NewsReport)
Laboratory tests only have an eighty-percent confidence level. That percentage needs to increase by nineteen to twenty-percent to ensure that the anti-doping policy can be effective and enforced. Testing for steroids would also become more effective if the procedure was unannounced. Random testing would prevent athletes from cycling their steroid use based on the planned testing date. Athletes would feel less pressured to “juice up” if the playing field was perceived to be level. Thus, all players and their competition would face the same consistently imposed laboratory tests.
Athletics at any level are under pressure to produce significant statistics. Whether it is succeeding within team ranks or against competition from an opposing team, expectations to produce are always substantial. Baseball is a team sport primarily based on individual success, compared to football and basketball, in which each play is based on team performance. Quinn reported that sport psychologists deal with mentally related health risks in competition. They apply psychological principles within behavioral analysis, anxiety, arousal, attention, motivation, and aggression. They also make an effort to unify an entire team and work with individual personalities. Sport psychologists can alleviate the pressures that serious athletes encounter as competitors. The subconscious fear that the athlete has to potentially enhance their skill through substances can also be alleviated (Quinn).
Contemporary sales channel through the black market without a mandatory prescription and approximately $4,000,000 is spent on anabolic steroids annually. Authorities and tasks forces need to take that statistic more seriously. Aspiring governor NJWeedman.com might not agree, but the steroid issue needs to be taken just as seriously as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, and other gateway drugs. While steroid users are not dependant on the drug in the physical sense, they are mentally addicted to the physical goals they believe it will produce. Steroid abuse prevention is not the only “juicing up” that needs attention. Recreational use of the drug and administration under doctor supervision requires greater attention by the public and resources empowered to control regulatory policy need to be taken seriously, as well. The symptoms are dangerous and even fatal regardless of how the drug is administered. Examples of potential symptoms include: heart disease, liver cancer, depression, risk of HIV, hostility, and aggression (NIDA). The symptom of depression derives from withdrawal, which can ultimately lead to suicide for a steroid user of any age (Taylor 55). Steroid-users who participate in athletic competition each “juice up” for similar reasons. They want to be bigger, stronger, and at an advantage (or at least up to par) compared to their competition. Ironically, the side effects of steroid administration deviate from the desired enhancement. The illegal steroids can potentially stunt an adolescent’s growth, increase a person’s risk for injury, and increase a risk for a heart attack. Male steroid-users face specific feminizing side effects including: atrophy of the testicles, increased acne, and gynecomastia. Female steroid users are prone to increased facial hair, loss of scalp hair, a lowered voice, and a decrease in breast size.
Teenage athletes are at risk for ending their careers; however, athletes are not the only steroid-users. Steroid users who are not “jocks” have been diagnosed with muscle dysmorphia, also known as reverse anorexia. “‘Much like the anorexic never feels thin enough, men with muscle dysmorphia never feel big enough,’” says Roberto Olivardia, a clinical psychologist at Harvard and coauthor with Pope of “The Adonis Complex: The Secret Crisis of the Male Body Obsession” (Adler 50) As many as 100,000 high school steroid-users out of the projected 300,000 are females. Females in high school want to appear more attractive; however, the steroid-users are at risk for increased facial hair and a decrease in scalp hair (Gold B1).
Professional athletes represent their respected sports, and they notably act as role models to aspiring athletes. The recent leak of steroid administration at the professional level has found its path to the high school and college level. Funds for steroid testing are not as sufficient at the high school level and college level, especially private institutions, compared to the professional level. The Washington Township Drug Committee reported that steroid tests are $120 per student in the United States, and testing at some institutions would cost thousands of dollars.
Manning reported that forty-four percent of Major League Baseball players candidly noted that they felt compelled to “juice up”. A more important percentage is that seventy-nine percent of Major League Baseball players support independent testing for anabolic steroids. Almost half feel pressured to participate in testing, and nearly eighty-percent are willing to support testing for the illegal drug (Manning 9). Those statistics represent the position that America’s Past Time’s athletes acknowledge that anabolic steroids are a concern. It is a fact that there is not a significant number of athletes who have been found guilty of steroid use. Allegations surround retired home run champion Mark McGwire, and continue to haunt superstar Barry Bonds. Meanwhile, Jason Giambi candidly admitted to steroid use through numerous media outlets, and Jose Canseco recently wrote a book titled Juiced. Former National Football League player Bill Romanowski, retired from the Oakland Raiders, admitted to steroid administration during a recent interview with the media. Rafael Palmeiro was suspended ten days for violating the doping policy during the 2004-2005 season. Steroid administration affecting athletic competition is secondary compared to its effect on adolescent’s health and safety. Those side effects could affect our children, brothers and sisters, cousins, or friends if they act on the pressure to administer steroids.
Athletes wear the latest fashion on and off of the court. Whether it comes to footwear or apparel, high-profile athletes sport the brand that sponsors them. Philadelphia superstars Donovan McNabb and Allen Iverson each wear Reebok in their respected sport, giving fans an enticement to wear Reebok when they are on the court. Professional athletes model the athletic wear and give the impression that it is convincing enough to purchase Reebok to personally become successful. Steroid use has the same contagious effect. If a professional athlete “juices up” or feels compelled to use steroids, then aspiring adolescent athletes are going to recognize performing enhancing drugs as beneficial rather than detrimental to their athletic careers.
Anabolic steroids build muscle mass more efficiently than a regular work out routine. An athlete could use the increased power as an advantage in their particular sport. The positive effects of the performance-enhancing substance could lead to increased statistics, and thus a contract bonus. A steroid-user may not feel threatened by the minor side effects. The steroid-user may not feel threatened by the anti-doping policy in their particular sport.
The notation that the steroid enhances performance has not been proven. However, the possible side effects have been proven. Any athlete who does not face punishment for administering the illicit substance is living and competing under a cloud of darkness. They are risking their reputation and their career.
Livingstone reported that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a survey, and it discovered that steroid administration within high school has doubled between the years 1991 and 2003. Out of 15,000 students surveyed, over six percent admitted experimenting with anabolic steroids either through injections or pills. The National Federation of State High School Associations noted that less than four percent of high schools within the United States are testing for anabolic steroids (Livingstone).
“There has to be a trickle-down effect,” at the college and high school level, stated John A. Stewart through Livingstone. Stewart is the commissioner-delegate of the Florida High School Athletic Association. There have been independent surveys which estimated that between one and a half to two percent of Florida’s high school student-athletes may be using anabolic steroids. Stewart remarked by noting that, “ against a student base of 215,000 athletes, it's kind of scary to think that possibly 4,000 are at risk out there," Stewart says. "We don't want to see any youngster's life at risk,” (Livingstone). Athletic males are not the only culprit of steroid abuse. Beginning at the age of nine, females are beginning to use steroids for athletic advantages and to strengthen their appearance (Yesalis 40). “That's scary because it means parents are buying them for kids. And it's a scary thing that society is dictating to kids that young that it's to put your health at risk to have a body type that seems so critically important," Stewart recognized if the steroid administration is beginning at the age of nine (Livingstone).
Withdrawal from the illicit drug can lead to depression, which has led to suicide. Taylor Hooton of Plano, Texas and Rob Garibaldi of Petaluma, California committed suicide due to depression. Their parents told Congress that steroids were the apparent reason for the depression. Their sons were looking to get bigger in the same manner as a professional athlete. "There is no doubt in our minds that steroids killed our son,” stated parent Denise Garibaldi (Livingstone). It is not worth the risk to continue to leak steroid use to our aspiring athletes. Athletics should be enjoyed for the true competitive nature, not the illusion.
The pressure to take illicit drugs is extremely evident, due to its availability in modern times. Anabolic steroids are appealing based on the benefits of training for athletic competition, bodybuilding, or a media persuaded appearance. Education on the harmful side effects, especially the fatal ones, needs to presented more at an early age and continued to be discussed through the school years. Testing needs to continue to improve at the professional level, and the professional level needs to become involved by financially supporting testing at the college and high school levels.
|
|
2005/12/28, 12:16 AM
why bring this up again???? :angry:
|
|
2005/12/28, 05:37 AM
indeed....i think he secretly wants us to juice..
|
|
2005/12/29, 04:38 PM
i heard that long term use of steroids will make ur breasts larger and look more feminine. now isnt that alone enough to put u off it?
|
