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Delo
Mark Delo
Professor Harrison
English 202
13 April 2010
Steroids are Highly Addictive and Illegal: Why do people risk using them?
Introduction
Steroid use is only now beginning to be classified as a national epidemic. For several
decades the prominent users of steroids were among athletes and body builders as a way to stay
above the competition, but times have changed. Young men and women have begun to take an
interest in steroids and use has begun to rise. It is understandable that athletes may partake in
steroid use as a means of keeping up with the competition, sustaining or improving abilities, or
pay incentives to name a few. But what is more difficult to understand is why non-professional
athletes would risk jail time or put their health at risk?
Steroids are a natural derivative of the male sex hormone testosterone. Athletes have used
them since the 1930s in an attempt to enhance athletic prowess in those events requiring
increased muscle size and strength (Johnson). Steroids began to take the front stage during the
late 1980s. It was during this time that Olympic Sprinter Ben Johnson was stripped of his gold
medal after testing positive for a banned steroid. Since then it has been hard to ignore the
massive muscular gains and record breaking performances across the athletic spectrum. Football
players grew to gargantuan sizes, track and field athletes redefined the limits of human speed and
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endurance, and baseball players began hitting tape measure home runs at an alarming rate
(Egendorf 10).
Mark McGuire became a household name as he sent balls out of the park and inched
closer to breaking Babe Ruth’s record for most homeruns in a single season. However it was
impossible to ignore the change in McGuire’s appearance. At two hundred pounds he entered his
rookie season as a lanky infielder. But by age 35 he had added 50 lbs of solid muscle to his
frame. In 1998 at the twilight of his career Mark McGuire earned his name in the record books,
with much skepticism from the public and media.
The situation began to unravel in 2003 when agents from the Internal Revenue Service,
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the San Mateo (CA) Narcotics Task Force raided the
Burlingame Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO). Scientists at the Olympic drug-
testing lab at UCLA had discovered a powerful and new steroid in some athletes. With the
information from the testing lab the Department of Justice tracked the new drugs to BALCO.
BALCO’s client list read like a “Who’s Who” in American sports. Although no athlete was
arrested or prosecuted, several were summoned to appear before a grand jury. Recent
investigations and research into national steroid use has begun to demonstrate that this drug is
used by athletes of all ages and at all areas of competition (Petrocelli).
There have been countless studies on the use of steroids among professional athletes,
however the information provided for non-professional athletes is limited. These statistics on
non-professional steroid use could prove a useful tool in the fight against steroid abuse. Knowing
who uses steroids and why can prove viable information on preventing the further spread of its
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abuse through education. Through semi-structured interviews with recreational steroid users
along with law enforcement officials, this paper seeks to address the rise in use among young
men and women, their knowledge on the subject and factors motivating their use.
Literature Review
While many are just now beginning to recognize the prevalence of steroid use in
professional athletes, the history of steroids in some form can be traced back to ancient times
when it was understood that the testicles were responsible for the development and maintenance
of male sexual characteristics. In 1929 a study was conducted to produce an extract of potent
activity from bull’s testicles and in 1935 a more purified version of this extract was created. A
year later a scientist synthesized this compound, testosterone, from cholesterol. Testosterone was,
and still is, the basis of all anabolic steroids (Sutton). Anabolic steroids have been part of the
American sporting culture since the 1950s when synthetic testosterone was first produced and
marketed (Rashid).
Early research on the efficiency of steroid abuse did much to damage the credibility of
medical doctors and scientists as they made claims that anabolic steroids did little or nothing to
improve athletic performance. However, steroid users learned from direct experience that
steroids were effective at enhancing strength and muscle mass thus beginning the belief that
neither the government nor scientific community could be trusted to reliably report the positive
or negative effects of steroids (Kutscher, Lund, & Perry, 2002).
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While the medical and scientific fields received a backlash from false data recent
research has attempted to rectify past shortcomings. Recent studies have concentrated on medical
evidence of effectiveness, trends, and patterns of usage among adolescent and high school
students, college athletes, and professional competitors. In terms of medical literature, scientists
are universal in agreement that anabolic steroids can lead to a host of ill effects including
increased risk of heart attack, high blood pressure, liver cancer, tumors, infertility, shrinking of
testicles, severe acne and cysts, rage/aggression, mania and delusions. More controversial studies
have made the case that protracted steroid use is fatal (Rhea). While the terms of medical
literature seem dim studies have shown only a slight increase among users and non-users of
contracting a fatal disease. Today it is estimated that over three million people have tried
anabolic steroids (Wood).
Among high school seniors in the United States, the lifetime incidence for steroid use
(4%), is comparable to that of crack cocaine (3.6%) and heroin (1.8%) (Wood). A recent survey
released by the Healthy Competition Foundation, reports that 390,000 children between the ages
of 10-14 have taken performance enhancing substances. Also included in the survey is that
between the ages of 12 and17 five percent have taken performance enhancing drugs or
supplements, that is equal to one million children in that age group (Patton). Kids frequently buy
these performance-enhancing drugs from Internet sites and other friends, often not knowing what
they’re taking (Johnson).
Studies dealing with adolescents and teenagers focus on motivation to use the drug and
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their intentional and unintentional consequences. Their inspiration for steroid use largely stems
from either a desire to better their athletic performance or improve their body image (Petrocelli).
They are dealing with the social pressures to be masculine and therefore want to increase muscle
mass and definition. It is also in the basic nature of young people not to concern themselves with
long-term effects, but rather those that are immediate (Mishra). Moreover, addictive and
compulsive behavior relating to gambling, vehicular risk taking, sexual activity and violence is
common regardless of age. In the recent autopsy of 51 deceased users of steroids there was the
presence of narcotics in 31 (59.6%) corpses (Wood). Steroids are often considered a gateway
drug, as many teenagers that use steroids are significantly more likely to use other illegal drugs.
Adult use of steroids is also associated with higher rates of psychotropic drug use and overall
substance dependence, particularly to opiates, although the addictive level of steroids themselves
is unknown (Petrocelli).
Some studies predicted around 95% of steroid users reporting one or more symptoms of
dependence with around 60% showing two or more. Withdrawal is the main criterion for a
diagnosis of dependence. Withdrawal symptoms can be seen as a desire to take more, fatigue,
dissatisfaction, depression, restlessness, anorexia, decreased libido, headaches, insomnia and
suicidal thoughts (Gonzalez). Neurons located in the brain have androgen receptors to bind
testosterone and other androgens; the overloading of these neurons can affect both the brain and
behavior causing withdrawal symptoms. Major mood disorders associated with Anabolic steroid
use are most commonly reported when a user is suffering from withdrawal. The potential for
steroid dependency, like all habit-forming drugs, depends on use, amount, frequency and types,
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and the individual user. While steroids can potentially be addictive, they are probably not as
addictive as heroin (Wood).
During the 1970s the federal government mandated five classes for illegal drugs based
upon potential for abuse, accepted medical utility and safety of use under medical supervision.
While steroids were around for the better part of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries it was
not until the 1980s amongst the stripping of gold medals and talks of drug testing by the National
Football league did the federal government take action against anabolic steroids. They were soon
placed in the same category as cocaine, heroin, LSD and other habit-forming drugs (Mishra).
The Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990 made anabolic steroids a Scheduled III
Controlled Substance regulated by both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug
Enforcement Agency (DEA). A Scheduled III Controlled substance is characterized has having
limited medicinal use, the requirement of a prescription from a doctor, and has the potential to
threaten public health without government regulation (Denham). After the 2003 raid of BALCO
the United States Government decided to take larger steps to combat steroid abuse. The Anabolic
Steroid Control Act of 2004 amended the definition of steroids to include a number of
supplements that are considered steroid hormone precursors. They also allowed the DEA to add
precursors in the future and granted $15 million to educational programs for children (Rhea).
Through government funding several advocacy groups were created to provide education
to the public. They gave the public the harsh reality of steroid use through organizing leadership
workshops for kids, parents and coaches, and alternatives to illegal steroid use. Through these
educational programs awareness and prevention are on the rise (Gonzalez). State governments
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have also taken a stand against steroid. The Florida House of Representatives voted to launch a
pilot program to test and mandate anti-steroid policies. Anti steroid policies have also been
enacted in California, while Connecticut, Michigan, New Mexico and Texas have proposed
legislative or administrative action against illegal steroid use. It seems state governments
couldn’t have stepped in any sooner; a survey conducted in 2005 found steroid use had doubled
in the last 12 years (“Fight against steroids just might be getting muscles”).
The court system has also taken a stand and is handing down stiff sentences. Simple
possession of illicitly obtained steroids for a first offense carries a maximum penalty of one-year
prison time with a minimum of a $1000 fine (Petrocelli). The FDA has also stepped in, making
arrests that have broken up several large distributions and manufacturing rings. Distributors can
be punished 3-6 years jail time and fined up to six figures (Mirsha). Trafficking of steroids is
punishable of up to five years prison time and a 250,000 fine. Subsequent offenses results in
doubling of both jail time and fine (Petrocelli), While the United States has laws regulating
steroid use many European countries, including the UK, allow steroid use with a medical
prescription. It is not an offense to import steroids in these countries, however, possession with
intention to supply or unlicensed compounds constitutes a criminal act (Gonzalez). Anabolic
steroids are illicitly smuggled from Mexican and European countries to the United States. Recent
DEA reporting indicate that Russian, Romanian and Greek nationals are significant traffickers of
steroids and are responsible for substantial shipments of steroids entering the United States
(Denham).
Regardless of how they enter the United States or the severity of being in possession of
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steroids, the black market for steroids is estimated to generate 400-500 million dollars per year
(Petrocelli). It is hard to believe that professional athletes and body- builders alone are
responsible for this large market. While aware of the potential risk involved in steroid use non-
professional athletes, young men and women, and recreational weight trainers continue to
illegally abuse steroids.
Methods
The goals of this research paper was to not only present the physiological effects of
steroids on users, but also to bring to light the growing increase of steroid use among non-
professional athletes and why they’re using, and lastly, what law enforcement officials are doing
to combat the illegal use of steroids. There are a lot of different methods that could have been
used for this research; however, I believed the most efficient way would be to have personal
interviews.
My data collection method was an interview of all participants. By interviewing
participants I was able to have a more personal account of the effects of steroids and not from a
second source. This proved to be beneficial because the information was with people directly
involved with steroids and not from the media. Through experience people tend to be more
honest when asked questions personably then through the use of surveys or questionnaires.
Steroids are illegal and therefore I decided to interview a police officer for their
perspective on steroid use. The primary focal point for the police official was the legal issues
dealing with steroids and how they handle situations involving anabolic steroids. This included
how serious of a crime it is if a person is found in procession or selling steroids. Because steroids
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are on the rise throughout the nation, the input of a local cop was beneficial.
The main area of focus for those participants that use steroids was their reasoning on,
regardless of the negative stigma and health risks that revolve around steroid use why they
continued to use. By asking how they obtained the drugs, if it was suggested of voluntary gave
me an understanding on the atmosphere on steroid use. Interviewing users of steroids has the
obvious benefit that they are able to provide a personal account of how steroids affect their
bodies in positive ways. They provided possible experiences with negative side effects and if
they outweighed the good. By asking questions about their general schedule of steroids use, if
they cycle, how much they use and how frequently showed their education level on responsibly
using steroids.
Conducting the interviews with the professionals first enabled a snowball effect allowing
questions asked to the steroid users to be directly related to the information received from them
the professionals. This allowed for accurate transfer of information and allowed the ability to
understand the users educational level. Being able to ask them if they knew the repercussions of
being caught with steroids and how they plan on staying out of trouble was also an important
detail in conducting the professional interviews first. After providing the users with the
information obtained from the professionals enabled questions on if they will continue to use
steroids and if their perception of steroid usage has changed.
Originally, what I wanted to do for my methods was to interview a police officer, a
criminology professor, and two of my friends who currently use steroids. While obtaining my
data and completing my methods, I had run into some minor complications with this process. I
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ended up only being able to get in contact with one of my friends who use steroids. The other
one that I had intended to interview had agreed, but I had lost all contact with this participant due
to an unknown reason. I originally wanted to observe two different people who used the drug to
see if their views were similar or different. Another minor change that I had made was not doing
the interview with a criminology professor. After interviewing the police officer I had not
received as much information as I would have liked too. I felt as if the criminology professor
wouldn't have offered much assistance in my research because the police officer did not even
meet my expectations and that is his occupation. Due to these minor drawbacks I was not able to
conclude everything that I had wanted too, but I still had managed to complete my research
despite the drawbacks.
By interviewing both professionals and users enabled the opportunity to get both sides of
the steroid usage debate. This information provided personal insight as to why people continue to
use steroids although they are illegal. By cross -examining the answers to the questions
determined how educated steroid users are on the legal issues involving steroids. Interviewing
was, in my opinion, the most proficient way of answering my questions on why people use
steroids, there effects on the body and what actions law enforcement agencies are taking against
steroids.
Results
Interviewing the police officer provided information regarding the use of steroids in the
local community, punishment of steroid possession and how common steroid cases are. The
officer had stated:
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Steroid cases are usually done by the DEA. In my area of work we don’t necessarily look
for steroids. Outside of gyms and stuff would be where most steroids would be found.
Dependable upon certain circumstances, such as the amount in possession, a person
found in possession of steroids as a first offense could be punishable of two years
probation period. The maximum punishment for a person with a previous record would
be approximately four years in jail. They could also possibly be granted probation and
ARD. Punishment is also dependable up the location of where it was purchased. Such as
220 feet from a school (school zone) would be like speeding in a construction zone, the
fines would double. The price of sentencing is not as strict as another drug, such as
cocaine, because it does have some medicinal uses. However, in sentencing everything is
up to the judge.
Gathering legality information of steroids gave me a basis of information to present to the
current user. Asking the user why they specifically used steroids, how they were introduced to
steroids and how long ago was that, and the side effects he may have noticed, allowed for a
better evaluation of the users habits
I use steroids to help enhance my muscle growth for MMA training/fighting. It helps me
get stronger, faster, and gives me the extra energy for my performance. I was introduced
to steroids by a family member, who is a body-builder, two years ago. I have noticed side
effects. I’ve noticed that I have a really bad temper now and I freak out about stupid
things really fast. I have also noticed really bad acne on my back and upper arms. It is
affecting my health and can lead to worse side effects, but I will continue to keep doing
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them until I am satisfied with my body.
Presenting that long-term use of steroids can cause irreversible disease to the kidneys which could
lead to kidney fatigue, gave me the participants change of thought or lack thereof on steroid use.
He had explanation to this statement was:
Yes, it does. But the way it makes me feel and look makes me want to keep using them. I
am not going to use them the rest of my life and if it does harm me in any way I will
probably stop using them. But for now I feel fine and I’m going to keep using until it
affects my health badly.
Supplying the participant with the information obtained from the police officer over the legality
issues of steroids, the user had this to say:
Yes, getting caught is always on my mind. When I do them it is in a safe place and I keep
to myself about them. I never take them out in public to show off or anything lie that. It is
not worth getting in trouble over.
After obtaining the essentials of his initial use, his thoughts on health problems, and about
getting in trouble, the question of regret was presented. When asked if looking back now he
regretted his decision on taking steroids, he stayed strong with his choices:
No I do not have any regrets with taking them. They made me feel a lot better about
myself and I am going to continue to use them. They changed the way I look and I am
satisfied with everything that they have helped me accomplish.
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Discussion
Steroids are no longer for professional athletes, Olympic wonders, or professional body
builders. Times have changed and with that change the use of steroids has spread to the general
population, with young men and women being the main users. We saw the mounting scandals of
the sports industry, especially Major League Baseball, and use among non-professionals took a
positive swing. The rise of steroids required government officials to take positive steps in the
right direction, enforcing stricter penalties and amendments of the Anabolic Steroid Control Act
of 1990 (“Fight against steroids just might be getting muscles,” Denham).
Asking the police officer the occurrence of steroids in the area led to an answer not
expected. Although there has been a national rise of steroid use, doubling in the last twelve years,
the police officer had never encountered a steroid case (“Fight against steroids getting muscles”.)
Local officials are not responsible for steroid crackdown, but rather the DEA handles the
majority of the cases, due to steroids being listed as a scheduled III controlled substance. They
are considered the same category as coke, but anabolic steroids sentencing are not treated as
harshly. Punishment projections for steroids made by the cop were less lenient than the federal
guidelines for the punishment of steroids. This leniency could be due to the thoughts projected
by the cop. Also, most cases that are handled by the DEA are to stop distribution and
manufacturing rings (Rhea). Distracted by larger operations I believe allows purchasers a smaller
chance of getting in trouble as local cops are not concerned with steroids. This distraction and
lack of attention to steroid abuse in local communities could also result in a rise among users.
The increase among users, I believe is largely impacted by the increased social pressures
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of society. As the user condoned in his statement, the majority of steroid use is due to the desire
to be more physically attractive (Mirsha). As steroids in sports began to go under scrutiny the use
of steroids in the general public began to rise. I believe that the constant strain upon society to be
physically attractive, projected by the media, is creating an increase in people resorting to illegal
enhancement. The user also represented the majority of steroid users that competed
professionally.
Competing at a professional level runs in the users family, as does the use of steroids.
Family members represent one of the top five influences on the use of young men to steroid use
(Johnson). Young men I believe would be more eager to trust the advice of their family members
and thus are a big factor in steroid use. Side effects are common in steroid use as the participant
expressed. There is a list of mild side effects including acne, baldness and mood swings
(Perocelli). However, the allure of physical perfection along with feelings of euphoria is enough
for him to overlook the side effects. Users can become addicted to the feelings of euphoria
projected by steroids, through improved physical appearance and increased self-confidence
(Wood). Improved physical appearance through illegal means not only has side effects but long-
term damage. The long-term effects of steroids to the user were unimportant. This carelessness is
the basic nature of young people, not to concern themselves with the future but focus on the
present (Mirsha).
No concern for the future is also relevant in the idea of never getting caught. The user
expressed his concerns on getting caught but believed he was handling the situation
appropriately. As mentioned before because the DEA handles the prosecution of steroid cases
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you would have to do something very unintelligent to get caught. I can understand his mentality
on while he is aware of the consequences of his actions, by taking the right precautions can keep
you out of trouble. He has taken the steps to become a steroid abuser and does not regret his
actions. By believing that you can stop steroid use before your health deteriorates is not
necessarily true, however, there is no significant increase in irreversible disease among users and
non- users (Gonzalez).
Conclusion
Over the past few decades or so, use of steroids has been booming more than ever. Not
only do professional athletes use steroids, but also high school students are even being
introduced to steroids today. Having two friends who currently use steroids, I thought it was an
interesting idea to get a personal experience to find out exactly why people, such as my two
friends, use steroids. I found it a very unique experience interviewing my one friend. The way he
was talking about how he uses steroids was slightly shocking to me. He acted as if they posed no
threat to him, or that they were ok to use. Additionally, he was aware of the serious side effects
that this drug could cause you.
Steroids are used for medicinal as well as recreational purposes. The risk you take when
you use steroids could be comparable to risks you take with any habit-forming drug. Using
steroids was a decision made by the user. Regardless of outside inputs, the decision to use
steroids is solely that of the individual. Media, family, friends and coaches may bring the
prospect of steroid use to the table but it is your decision to take the plunge. While the increase
of steroids I believe is mainly contributed to the media-engrossed society, the choice of its
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continued use is dependent upon the educated. In the future I would like to conduct more
conclusive research on this specific steroid user. I would like to see if he had acquired any
serious side-effects, along with if he still uses them in the future. After conducting this research I
have a far better understand as to why people may use steroids.
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