Anabolic steroids are a synthetic steroid hormone that resembles testosterone and promotes muscle growth. This is the definition found in the dictionary. This definition alone explains to me why steroids should not be abused. Anabolic steroids are a synthetic steroid hormone that resembles testosterone. “Synthetic” and “resembles” is not something I want to abuse.

Athletes and Steroid Abuse

According to biolgyreference.com,10-20% of high school athletes and about 30% of college and professional athletes abuse anabolic steroids, which can lead to a steroid addiction.

Anabolic steroids are said to promote rapid muscle growth and decrease body fat leading to heightened strength and endurance, replacing the discipline required to spend long hours of training and creating a shortcut to a more physically and athletically fit body.

With the use of steroids being illegal, you are now looking at purchasing the most popular way to take anabolic steroids through pills from a dealer. As if that isn’t shady enough, you now also run the risk of getting extreme doses, either being way to high of a dose, or running the risk of receiving a drug meant for an animal. Some have argued that anabolic steroids should be medically monitored to reduce these risks. Others disagree, believing this makes abusing this dangerous drug acceptable.

The Effects of Steroid Abuse

Anabolic Steroids are used to treat certain hormonal problems, some cancers, osteoporosis, and Aids. Steroid abuse can have short term effects like: jaundice, swollen hands and feet, impaired judgement, paranoia, extreme mood swings, extreme irritability, and delusions. Long term effects could be fatal and include: kidney problems, kidney failure, liver problems, liver cancer, and an enlarged heart that can lead to stroke or heart attack which can even affect young adults with steroid addiction. In teens, it can cause stunted growth.

On top of that, each gender has its own set of problems with steroid addiction. According to health.nsw.gov, women can develop facial hair, male pattern baldness and a deep voice. Men are at risk for shrinking testicles, decreased sperm count, breast development, and an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Now with all these physical side effects, can you imagine a balding woman with facial hair, and kidney failure to be a happy person? I assume her to be depressed, or possibly even suicidal. Now imagine a man in the prime of his life, facing small testicles, breasts, and prostate cancer. Combine this with delusions and extreme mood swings, and I can now understand the term “roid rage”

What is “Roid Rage?"

Although “roid rage” is slang and has not received formal recognition by any medical establishment, or in science, it can be defined as a condition in which people act aggressively after taking unusual doses of anabolic steroids. In recent years several high-profile murders and attacks have been attributed to “roid rage.” One such case is of the famous pro-wrestler Chris Benoit, who killed his wife and son before taking his own life by hanging, triggered by steroid addiction.

Abuse of anabolic steroids can cause craving similar to those of alcohol or heroin. I can also assume seeing certain positive physical changes to your body can lead a person to a steroid addiction.

The Cons Outweigh the Pros

According to drugabuse.com, studies have shown that animals will self-administer if given the opportunity, just as they would with other drugs.

Steroids are expensive, can cause relationship problems, and have withdrawal symptoms including, but not limited to, mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, sleep problems, and a decline in sex drive.

Although abusing steroids may help enhance your athletic ability, with all the negative physical and mental effects anabolic steroids are known to cause, including developing an

addiction, is anabolic steroid abuse really be worth all the risk you are taking? The possibility of losing, your family, friends, self-control, and your life is just too much. To me, it’s just not worth it.