Steroid Abuse

 Medicines when consumed as per the medical prescription do no harm but when taken excessively, it might bring in many problems to the individual. Abuse can be defined as the inability to resist from using that is dangerous to one’s health or well being. Similarly steroid abuse is often accompanied by psychological dependence, and a myriad of physical and physiological harm.

There are can various reasons for steroid abuselike social pressure to achieve an unrealistic body type which has been cited as the main offender all through. This is closely related to the psychological disorders responsible for Anorexia and Bulimia. Earlier it was believed that only body builders take steroids but some research concluded that people at various professional ranks also employ these drugs in order to gain competitive edge over other athletes. It also helps them recover quickly from training sessions as well as injury. Steroid abuse is high among adolescents, starting from as young as teens in the eighth grade . Adolescents get addicted to steroid abuse because of their sports activities most importantly. Sometimes it has also been seen that steroid abuse is more prevalent in adolescents who participate in other risky behaviors such as drinking and driving and using other drugs. Not only adolescents but also adults are guilty of steroid abuse. It has also been seen that many females are also beginning to use steroids, to the extent of abusing them as well. Because people like the physical results they see when they use steroids, it doesn’t take much time for them to turn it into steroid abuse.

Often people begin to overlook the possible side effects of steroids and move from steroid use to steroid abuse. Steroid abuse can lead to some problems which can cause a variety of health problems, some of which can have lasting ramifications. Some hazards could be stunted growth, increased risk of HIV and hepatitis, hair loss, hypogonadism, shrinking of testicles, increased risk of bodily hair growth, elevated blood pressure, increased amounts of LDL cholesterol, lowered HDL cholesterol, increased aggression, addiction, enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart, liver toxicity, edema (water retention), stroke, heart attack and sexual dysfunction.

The Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990 placed anabolic steroids into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) as of February 27, 1991. Under this legislation,anabolic steroids are defined as any drug or hormonal substance chemically and pharmacological related to testosterone (other than estrogens, progestins, and corticosteroids) that promote muscle growth. The possession or sale of anabolic steroidswithout a valid prescription is illegal. Simple possession of illicitly obtained anabolic steroids carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a minimum $1,000 fine if this is an individual first drug offense. The maximum penalty for trafficking is five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 if this is the individual first felony drug offense. If this is the second felony drug offense, the maximum period of imprisonment and the maximum fine both are double. State executive offices have also recognized the seriousness of steroid abuse and other drugs of abuse in schools. For example, The State of Virginia enacted a new law that will allow student drug testing as a legitimate school drug prevention program. Some other states and individual school districts are considering the implementation of similar measures. TheInternational Olympic Committee (IOC), National Collegiate Athletic Association(NCAA), and many professional sports leagues (e.g. Major League Baseball, National Basketball AssociationNational Football League (NFL), and National Hockey League) have banned the use of steroids by athletes because of their potential dangerous side effects and because they give the user an unfair advantage. The IOCNCAA, and NFL have also banned the use of steroid precursors (e.g. androstenedione) by athletes for the same reason steroids were banned. The IOC and professional sports leagues use urine testing to detectsteroid use both in and out of competition.

Some of the most common steroids abused include fluxoymesterone (Halotestin), methyltestosterone, nandrolone (Deca-Durabolin) , Durabolin, oxandrolone (Oxandrin), oxymetholone (Anadrol), testosterone, and stanozolol (Winstrol ). Veterinary steroids that are commercially available in the U.S. include boldenone (Equipoise ), mibolerone, and trenbolone (Revalor). Other steroids found on the illicit market that are not approved for use in the U.S. include ethylestrenol, methandriol, methenolone, and methandrostenolone.

In today’s competitive society people are willing to take great risk to stand first in sports and perform their jobs the best way they can. Steroid abuse is still a problem despite the illegality of the drug and the banning of steroids by various sports authorities and sports governing bodies.

The most important aspect to curtailing abuse is education concerning dangerous and harmfulside effects, and symptoms of abuse. Athletes and others must understand that they can excel in sports and have a great body without steroids. They should focus on getting proper diet, rest, and good overall mental and physical health.

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