Steroids -- an Introduction to Purpose, Uses and Abuses
TYPES OF STEROIDS
HOW STEROIDS WORK
USERS OF STEROIDS
MEDICAL USE OF STEROIDS
HOW ARE STEROIDS ABUSED
EFFECTS OF STEROIDS ON HEALTH
EFFECTS OF STEROIDS ON BEHAVIOR
PREVENTION & TREATMENT OF STEROID ABUSE
Steroids are used for many purposes. This paper highlights the introduction of steroids i.e. its basic function. It also explains the multiple uses of steroids by people from different fields of profession. Normal perception of people is that it is used by athletes and sportsmen as a drug but there are other uses discussed in the paper as well. Advantages and disadvantages are also stated in the essay.
Steroids are short for corticosteroid drugs. It is a substance which is used to reduce swelling and inflammation quickly. These drugs are a close copy of cortisol and aldosterone i.e. A hormone produced on adrenal gland, it is also secreted by ovaries and testes. Steroids belong to the class of lipids. They have a distinguished molecular ring structure called "thecyclopentanoperhydro-phenanthrene" ring system. The basic difference among steroids is due to change in several side chains and additional rings. They are present in both animals and plants. There is a wide range of steroid forms such as vitamin D, digitalis, sterol and bile acids. Some steroids also control metabolic system of human body. Anabolic steroids are male hormones used and most of the time abused by athletes and bodybuilders because it creates strength. Hence corticosteroids and anabolic steroids are not the similar steroids (Columbia Encyclopedia Editors, 2012). In this paper, we will discuss the types and usage of steroids. Also the users of steroids are as important as any other aspect because it is a common misconception that only athletes use/abuse steroids. This essay will highlight that youngsters have been using steroids for a long time for different purposes and their percentage is increasing day by day. Also, there are several methods of steroid abuse but some common methods and processes are described and explained later in this paper.
TYPES OF STEROIDS
About 600 different types of steroid exist but there are three basic types if steroids; corticosteroids, estrogenic steroids and anabolic steroids.Corticosteroids are used to control pain and inflammation and have very less potential of misused. Estrogenic Steroids are also not likely to be abused by its users; these are made from female sex hormones for birth control and replacement ofestrogen after removal of ovaries. Anabolic are made from male sex hormones and have been used in a limited dosage medically to enhance muscle strength of those patients who have little or no potential of natural recovery. This type of steroid ha the highest potential of being misused (Clayton, 1998). Steroids are used by either injection (needle into skeletal muscle) or ingested (pills). Some of common oral steroids are anadrol, oxandrin and dianabol. Some injected steroids are decca, depo and equipoise. All of these are available only by prescription but use of steroid without prescription is illegal.
HOW STEROIDS WORK
Steroids are synthetic form of natural testosterone hormones. They work as a supplement when micro-tears are produced in the muscle fiber by weight lifting. The natural repair system of human body repairs the tear and overcompensate it by adding bigger cells to create stronger fibers, this process is called hypertrophy. The repeated process of tear down and repair results in muscle growth. Anabolic steroids travel through bloodstream and work their way into muscle tissue. The cell growth is stimulated when steroid interacts with the muscle cell's DNA once it is received by Andersen receptor of muscle cell (Peterson, 2009).
USERS OF STEROIDS
Abuse of steroids in sports has been under study for a very long time now. In 1988, the research of PopeShowed that 20% of athletes and 1% non-athlete students were using steroids and from then 2% were those who used anabolic steroids. Other reports show that 6.6% high school students whereas 3% college level students showed abuse of steroids related to sports (Mottram, 2003). Using drugs to improve performance by athletes and sportsmen is known as "doping." World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was formed by the collaboration of International Olympic Committee (IOC) and United States Olympic Committee (USOC) on uproar against steroids; John McCain's hearing on doping case was a primary part of this. Also, National Football League and National basketball Association have their own anti-doping programs implemented similar WADA (Coleman & Coleman, 2008).
Studies have shown that people from different cultures...
What causes women to risk their health? Clearly the hoped-for effect is to improve their performances. Sutton explains that a woman on anabolic steroids will have less body fat and her body muscle mass will offer her more strength. "She may also develop euphoria and a heightened self-esteem… and have much more energy" (Sutton, 4). Moreover, women on steroids may experience "…heightened sexual arousal" and athletically inclined men are apt
E., their use of anabolic steroids (and whether they had ever been offered steroids), their involvement in power sports, appearance and eating problems, and problem behavior. Background information about the participants included their degree of urbanization, parental socioeconomic status and the region to which they belonged. Analyses of the study's results show that the prevalence of steroid use among Norwegian youth was lower (lifetime use was 0.8% and 12 months prevalence
Officers of the USADA attended the athletes' training or visited them at home to conduct drug tests. Officials and Association experts found that many athletes would risk harmful side effects or disqualification just to take these substances. Professional athletes, like Adam Nelson, however, won a silver medal at the 2000 Olympics. He was open and vocal against the use of steroids in sports. He was particularly opposed to the
They have serious psychological effects as players begin to be dependant on steroids and begin to feel that the player needs steroids to maintain their performance. This becomes very apparent when players stop using steroids as then the positive effects is slowly lost and the players feel that they are no longer competitive. This leads to serious depression. (Effects of Steroids on the Human Body) the health risks that
Org). Women do not take steroids as often as men, but they also experience the full range of effects, from growing body and facial hair to increased aggression, as well as the same long-term health effects (Steroids.com). The long-term effects of high levels of steroid use are largely unknown (Drug Free.org). Some of the effects, however, are an enlarged liver and liver tumors, jaundice, permanent changes to secondary sex characteristics (such
Steroids Should Not Be Banned A steroid is an organic compound that occurs in plants and animals. They have many functions, including respiration, tissue building, and the production of sex hormones. Anabolic steroids are drugs that mimic the effects of testosterone on the body, increasing protein synthesis within cells. This causes cellular tissues to build up in muscles, the ability for those muscles to work harder under stress, and of course,
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now