Steroids: gateway towards the road of doom - Essay Example

Steroids: gateway towards the road of doom The utilization of steroids by individuals in society continues to be controversial issue that has been the focal point for many decades. Steroid use is a touchy subject and continues to plague the professional world of sports. From the notorious “Andro” that was spotted in Mark McGuire’s locker to the doping scandals that occur in Olympics, steroids continue to be a pinnacle point that has reached the spheres of the federal government. During 1991, Congress passed the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), which restricts the use and sale of anabolic steroids such as Maxibolin, Halotestin, Dianabol, Testosterone, Anavar and any hormonal substance that can chemically and boost the manufacture of testosterone to support muscle growth. Since 1991, steroids are only available through prescription only to combat conditions that are prevalent when body produces to low amounts of testosterone.   Steroid use has been prevalent throughout history since 1889. The fact that it remains to be an illegal substance according to law does not deter away users who want to achieve a perfect physique. Generations of young athletes are more inclined to use these illegal substances without truly acknowledging the true risks that are associated with steroids. Thus, steroids should be utilized by young athletes because it violates ethical conducts, leads to negative side effects, and creates personality disorders. Young athletes should not utilize steroids because it violates professional standards, has negative impacts on an individual’s health and cause multiple personality disorders. In the modern world of sports, winning is everything. Every athlete dreams of holding the championship cup. In essence, competition is so stiff that there is nothing such as a “second place.” Thus, the inclination to use steroids is truly appealing for athletes. For example, many athletes come from poor families. Since performance is fueled by salary, one can only imagine the pressure that these athletes have to endure. In order to obtain these contracts, players must be stronger, bigger and faster. Thus, athletes utilize this justification to start taking steroids. Steroids can truly redefine their athletic abilities and allow them to break genetic barriers that limited their growth. Have some players missed out on multi-million dollar contracts because an individual got to the line of scrimmage before them and was on steroids? Have some outstanding athletes missed the cut for Olympic competition and lost their American dream since they were competing against athletes who were on “juice.”?Ethically speaking, these are the questions that dictate the moral bounds of steroids use in professional level. This is clearly a violation of ethical conduct that an athlete must follow. It is clear that society cares because steroid use is a form of cheating, and gives an unfair advantage for individuals who use them. It is evident that this breaks the social covenant that athletes have mutually agreed upon. Since these steroids are illegal, it is unfair when an athlete possesses an advantage which destroys the moral code of a fair contest. Athletes who are on steroids and human growth hormones can run faster, jump higher, have low levels of body fat than regular athletes. A clear example of this is again illustrated during the Olympics when Ben Johnson beat Carl Lew in the 100 meter spring. The question remains; would Ben Johnson have been able beat Carl Lewis in the 100 meter sprint without taking steroids? In 1998, when Mark McGuire shattered Roger Maris’ record for most home runs hit in a single season, he left the sports world in awe. However, his record-breaking hitting performance, many people refuse to acknowledge McGuire as a Hall of Famer because they believed McGuire’s power was a result of steroids. Clearly, all athletes should compete in the same sphere, without the utilization of enhanced substances. The second reason why young athletes should not utilize steroids is because of negative health. Most young athletes are so excited to get on “juice” that they forget about the negative consequences of these substances. Furthermore, most individuals have no solid foundation of education relating to these substances. For instance, after a steroid cycle, most doctors make it obligatory to take post cycle therapy. Post cycle therapy is extremely vital because it restores the normal levels of testosterone and estrogen for an individual. However, due to the lack of education, most young individuals are not aware of it, which tends to be a huge health consequence in their later years of life. Side effects such as: acne, rapid baldness, decreased sex drive, breast development, reduced sperm counts, testicle shrinking, increase in cholesterol, high levels of estrogen, skin disease, and heart problems are just some of the few effects that can brutally obliterate the health of a young individual. Stretch marks are also prominent for a steroid user. A clear example of these negative side effects can be brilliantly depicted through a former athlete, who abused steroids to get bigger, stronger and faster. Lyle Alzado, a former defensive end for Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, and Los Angeles Raiders is a clear example of steroid abuse that has continued to serve as an example for young athletes. Alzado was diagnosed with brain cancer just before he wrote a Sports Illustrated article in which he admitted to cheating by using steroids in his football career. He not only confessed to steroid use, but also affirmed that these drugs accounted for giving him cancer. Interestingly enough, Alzado stated that he was an average junior college player, with no hope for a spot in the NFL, until he started using steroids. Alzo’s confession became a testament associated with steroid use. Conducive research indicates that the negative effects of steroid are far greater than the positive. Thus, individuals especially the young athletes should not utilize these drugs at any cost.              The last element that is “icing on the cake” that proves that young athletes should not use steroids is due to the fact that it leads to multiple disorders. Wide steroid used is proven to lead to personality disorders in many cases. Many self-report questionnaires and scientists have studied the patterns of steroids effectiveness and its detrimental effects in a person’s psyche. Many individuals that abuse anabolic steroids develop multiple personality orders in which rage and aggression become dangerous elements for them. Hence, this is an indication that steroid misuse can lead to abnormal personality. Key researchers known as Eiseneberg and Galloway discuss this in their study as they took a sample of 12 bodybuilders who uses steroids compared to a non-factor group. The study indicated that personality traits that bodybuilders possessed were different than the control group. Individuals who were on steroids at this point were highly liked to illustrate behaviors of paranoia, narcissism, antisocial behavior and passive aggressive personality disorders. Other studies have also indicated that these anti social personality disorders are more prevalent in steroid users than non-users. Another core value that was detected in this study was mood and anxiety disorders that were consist throughout steroid users. Persistent affective disorders has been a long side effect of anabolic steroid use as many cases reports indicate that individuals may experience irritability, recklessness, and a power of supreme superiority. In this particular study, 53 bodybuilders were studied in which 51% reported mood disturbance. Shockingly enough, researchers found out that there were withdrawing symptoms too. When the bodybuilder stopped taking steroids, he often faced symptoms of a major depression. Imagine a young athlete who took these substances and was facing a similar dilemma. This athlete will not only possess mood swings but will also faced internal conflicts as his strength diminishes after his cycle. His diminishing strength will cause him to be an angry and maybe even give suicidal thoughts that can undoubtedly create a negative stigma in his head. Moreover, he will continue have mood swings and disrespect his peer in an event of non-trivial matters. Undoubtedly, that is a risk no young athlete should ever take for gaining few pounds of muscle. Undoubtedly, the law is clear about steroids. Young athletes should not use steroids because it violates ethical conducts, leads to negative side effects, and creates personality disorders. Moreover, steroids are illegal under the current law. Professional leagues have made a strong attempt to punish those who have violated the law. A clear example of this is illustrated through the banning of a San Diego Chargers linebacker, Shawne Merriman, who yielded positive test results for steroids. I urge you to take action and call the local senator to embed a program in which all athletes are tested for steroids in all levels. Furthermore, a push for educating the public, especially the young generation is vital towards diminishing the misuse of these illegal substances. Together, we can safeguard the young generation from the negative side effects of their illegal substances. Works Cited "Anabolic androgenic steroids: what the psychiatrist needs to know ." Advances in Psychiatric Treatment . N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2011. . Fieser, Louis F., and Mary Feiser. Steroids. New York: Reinhold Pub. Corp., 1959. Print. Bauman, M. Garrett. Instructors manual to accompany Ideas & details, a guide to college writing, fifth edition [by] M. Garrett Bauman. Boston, Mass.: Thomson/Heinle, 2004. Print. Doweiko, Harold E.. "Concepts of Chemical Dependency - Harold E. Doweiko - Google Books." Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2011. . Read More