Doping: Is It Worth The Risk?

Steroid use among swimmers has become a big problem that seems to be getting out of control. Many swimmers and teams have been caught using steroids, human growth hormones, and even blood doping. Currently, there are over 100 substances banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), including over 17 anabolic-androgenic steroids (AS).

Anabolic steroids is the familiar name for synthetic variants of the male sex hormone testosterone. Anabolic steroids can be legally prescribed to treat conditions resulting from steroid hormone deficiency, like delayed puberty and also diseases that result in loss of muscle mass, such as cancer and AIDS. But some athletes, like swimmers, and others abuse these drugs in an attempt to enhance performance and/or improve their physical appearance. Risks for using anabolic steroids can cause some serious damage to both men and women. Here are some reasons why it is not worth the risk:

Health Risks:

For the women, they may develop:

• a deeper voice
• an enlarged clitoris
• increased body hair
• baldness
• infrequent or absent periods

For the men, they may develop:

• prominent breasts
• baldness
• shrunken testicles
• infertility
• impotence

For both men and women, they might experience:

• Severe acne
• Increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture
• Liver abnormalities and tumors
• Increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol)
• Decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol)
• High blood pressure
• Heart and circulatory problems
• Prostate gland enlargement
• Aggressive behaviors, rage or violence
• Psychiatric disorders, such as depression
• Drug dependence
• Infections or diseases such as HIV or hepatitis if you’re injecting the drugs
• Inhibited growth and development, and risk of future health problems in teenagers

Anabolic Steroid Abuse:

Anabolic steroids are usually either taken orally or injected into the muscles. Doses taken by abusers may be 10 to 100 times higher than doses prescribed to treat medical conditions. Steroids are typically taken intermittently rather than continuously, which can avert side effects and give the body’s hormonal system some time to recuperate. Continuous use of steroids can make the body tolerant to drugs and cause the body to stop producing its own testosterone. Cycling is a term used to describe a pattern of use in which steroids are taken for periods of weeks or months, after which use is stopped for a period of time and then restarted. Also, users often combine several different types of steroids and/or incorporate other steroidal or non-steroidal supplements in an attempt to maximize their effectiveness, which is called stacking.

How It Affects The Brain:

Anabolic steroids work very differently from other drugs of abuse, and they do not have the same effects on the brain. The difference is that steroids do not trigger rapid increases in the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is responsible for the rewarding “high” that drives the abuse of other substances. But, long-term steroid use can affect some of the same brain pathways and chemicals, including dopamine, serotonin, and opioid systems, that are affected by other drugs, and then, may have a big impact on mood and behavior. Abuse of anabolic steroids can also lead to aggression and other psychiatric problems. Though some users felt good about themselves while on steroids, extreme mood swings can occur, including manic-like symptoms and anger, referred to as roid rage, may lead to violence. Researchers have observed that users may suffer from paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions, and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility as well.

So ask yourself: is it really worth the risk?

For a full list of drugs currently banned, click here.

References:

1. “World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List | USADA.” U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.
2. Mayo Clinic Staff. “Fitness.” Performance-enhancing Drugs: Know the Risks. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.
3. “Anabolic Steroids.” DrugFacts:. National Institute on Drug Abuse, July 2012. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.