What Are The Risks of Steroids for Athletes?

Looking at The Dangers and Risks of Anabolic Steroid Abuse in Athletics

Participating in sports to showcase one's abilities and achieve personal glory is commendable. However, a darker side emerges when athletes, driven by a desire for recognition, money, or fame, resort to winning at any cost. This often leads to the misuse of anabolic steroids, powerful prescription drugs that, when abused, can inflict irreversible physical harm and have severe side effects. For this article, steroids and testosterone used for legitimate TRT are not considered the same. Exogenous testosterone is a steroid however it serves a legitimate medical purpose. We’re talking about illegal androgens purchased for the sole purpose of performance enhancement.

Anabolic steroids, colloquially known as "roids," juice, hype, or pump, are potent substances athletes misuse to enhance their performance. It's crucial to differentiate them from steroid medications legitimately used in medical treatments. While anabolic steroids assist in building muscle tissue and increasing body mass, they cannot improve agility or skill, which are influenced by various factors like genetics, age, diet, and training intensity. Baseball coach Chris O’Leary even stated “If you are a hitter and are considering trying steroids or some other performance-enhancing drug, e-mail me. Let's see if the problem is your hitting mechanics and your swing, rather than the size of your biceps.”

Where steroids will make you STRONGER, they won’t let you hit a baseball, and far too often players mistake size for success.

Properly used, anabolic steroids have legitimate medical applications, aiding in treating serious conditions under close medical supervision. However, their misuse is prevalent in the athletic world, with some athletes resorting to these drugs to gain a competitive edge. The number of athletes abusing anabolic steroids remains unknown due to strict bans by athletic associations like the NFL, MLB, NCAA, and the Olympics, coupled with athletes' reluctance to admit use. Modern testing has become much better and its harder for athletes to stay ahead of the testing curve. The former head of Balco labs, Victor Conte was famous for helping both Olympic and professional althetes beat drug tests, and now works for organizations to help close the loopholes he once utilized in creating world champions through the use of PED’s.

Examining data from a survey conducted by the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, a story published in US News and World Report stated that researchers discovered that 3.7% of young athletes disclosed a history of steroid use. Approximately 20.7% of all athletes reported experiencing a concussion.

Interestingly, among non-steroid users, nearly 20% reported a concussion, in contrast to about 55% of those who admitted to steroid use.

Encouragingly, the prevalence of steroid use among high school athletes demonstrated a decline from 3.4% in 1999 to 1.9% in 2019. The peak rates occurred in 2001 and 2003, reaching 5.3% and 4.4%, respectively.

Ethnic variations were evident, with the American Indian/Alaska Native group displaying the highest rate at 7.2%.

It's noteworthy that student athletes often turn to steroids to enhance muscle strength and mass.

 

Motivated by the belief that anabolic steroids enhance competitiveness and performance, athletes, often misguided by coaches or parents, resort to these drugs to build muscle mass and increase body weight. Some engage in "stacking," combining multiple steroids or adding other substances, unaware of the potential harm. Over-the-counter dietary supplements, like creatine, pre-workouts, and other supplements are also gaining popularity, claiming muscle-building benefits without the side effects of steroids. Always check with your doctor before taking any supplements or starting any workout regimen.

The dangers of anabolic steroid abuse are extensive, ranging from cardiovascular issues, Blood pressure issues, liver damage, and cancers to psychological effects like mood swings and aggression. Physical addiction is a significant risk of prolonged abuse, requiring strict, medically supervised withdrawal programs. Sharing needles for steroid injection poses an additional risk of HIV transmission, underscoring the importance of testing for those exposed.

Addressing anabolic steroid abuse necessitates a comprehensive approach, emphasizing safe training, healthy diets, adequate rest, realistic goal-setting, and seeking professional advice. Redirecting the "win at any cost" mentality requires promoting dedication to the sport, understanding its demands, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and finding satisfaction in genuine participation. Awareness and education are essential tools in curbing the dangerous trend of anabolic steroid abuse among high school, college, and amateur athletes. Clearly, building muscle is important for athletes, but it must be done safely.

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