Anabolic Steriods

Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic Steroids are powerful drugs that help the body gain mass, but also hurt the body with drastic side effects. Anabolic Steroids are a type of natural and synthetic hormone that stimulates cell growth and division, resulting in an increase of muscle tissue and strength. The growth only occurs when combined with physical training (Wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_Steroids).

Steroids may help you gain muscle mass, but with a high price. Steroids have noticeable side effects including acne and scars, an increased sex drive, increased hair growth in Androgen-Sensitive areas, deepened voice along with an increased vocal cord size, more or bigger muscles, a larger appetite, bone remodeling, increased production of Red Blood Cells, liver damage, headaches, irritability, trouble sleeping, and jaundice (Santella 613.8). In Males, the penis may decrease or increase in size, breasts can be developed, premature balding, and testicular pain. In Females, development of man-like features may occur (Santella 613.8).

There are many different types of Anabolic Steroids, but mostly there are oral anabolic steroids and intravenous steroids (Santella 613.8). Oral Steroids are usually pills that one would take through the mouth. Intravenous Steroids are injected into the body (Santella 613.8). Some different types of Oral Anabolic Steroids are Anadrol, Anavar, Dianabol, Maxi Bolin, Methyl testosterone, Primobolin, and Winstrol (Santella 613.8). Types of Intravenous Steroids include Triamcinilone, Betamethasone, and Prednisone (Santella 613.8).

Teenagers are often users of Anabolic Steroids. Teens often acquire Anabolic Steroids from dealers at school, the Internet, or some types are even sold over the counter at local health stores. For that reason, a large amount of teenagers have access to the drug for their use. As for the reason teens use steroids, those who have admitted to taking them have said they used them to be better at sports, "fit in" or "be sexy" (Santella 613.8). Statistically, Male teens are more prone to use anabolic steroids than female teens, because males are more likely to try to get an advantage in sports. About 14% of athletes in the 12th grade were found to be using steroids, and about 13.3% of 10th grade were found to be using steroids (Santella 613.8).

Teens have even made up their own slang terms for Anabolic Steroids. Some of these names include "juice", "gum", "candy", "pumpers", "pops", "Arnolds", and "Stackers". Such slang terms can be used as "code names" in order to keep them secret from adults or authorities (Santella 613.8).

In the United States, Anabolic Steroids are illegal. The first time a person in the U.S. is caught using steroids they may get up to ten years in prison, up to a $15,000 fine, and a two year probation period. The second time a person is caught using or selling steroids there is a maximum fine of $30,000, up to two years of probation, and possibly ten years in prison (Monroe 613.8). In Canada and Australia, Anabolic Steroids are not illegal, but are highly discouraged. (Rogak 613.8)

Athletic Associations have taken the subject of Anabolic Steroid use very seriously.

Major League Baseball currently enforces a strict code against the use of steroids. For a first positive steroid test, the player caught using the drug is suspended for ten games. For a second positive steroid test, the player caught using the drug is suspended for 100 games. Finally, for a third positive test, the player caught using steroids is given a lifetime ban from baseball. (Espn.com/news)

The National Football League currently enforces rules against steroids that for a positive test, the player caught using the steroids could be suspended for four games (wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League).

The National Collegiate Athletic Association also enforces strict rules against the use of steroids including being suspended from college sports to even being permanently banned. (wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Collegiate_Athletic_Association).

The Olympics currently enforce the harshest penalties of all of the Steroid restrictions. Steroid usage currently could earn the athlete caught using Steroids a lifetime ban and up to $100,000 fine for a minor infraction, and up to a $1,000,000 fine for serious breaches of the rules. (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)

Anabolic Steroids were invented accidentally in the 1930s by a team of German scientists, but the drugs were not deemed significant enough for any further study. The first known reference to Anabolic Steroids in a United States weightlifting magazine was in a letter to the editor of the magazine Strength and Health. In the 1950s, scientists of the Food and Drug Administration approved the steroid called methandrostelone in the United States. (wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_Steroids)

In the 1990s counterfeit drugs became easier to detect using new technology. In 1991, the U.S. Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act that prohibits the use and sale of anabolic steroids defined as any drug or hormonal substance chemically or pharmaceutically related to testosterone that promotes muscle growth. Most illicit anabolic steroids are sold at competitions, at gyms, or on the internet, and those substances are usually smuggled into the United States. On January 20, 2005 controlled substance act went into effect. This law made possession of anabolic steroids a federal crime. (wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_Steroids)

People in general use steroids in order gain a competitive edge over athletes,