Steroids Essay, Research Paper
A Struggle for Size
Athletic competition has been part of society since the early beginnings
of man. Gladiators, wrestlers, and sprinters are some the early types of
athletes that competed. Mankind seems to have been born with a desire to
compete; every man feels the need to have dominance over another man. These
facts are even apparent in today’s society. Now there are all kinds of sports
to choose from, and many of these sports are played at a professional level.
These sporting events give individuals that chance to be the better of another
person, just as the earlier ones did. That inbred desire to dominate will
lead men to do almost anything for victory. This is good in many cases
because it shows courage and perseverance; on the other hand, many have taken
it to the extreme of using outside agents to better their chances for
dominance. By this I mean, a large number of athletes use performance
enhancing drugs. “Athletes have taken natural or synthetic performance aids
since the earliest days of organized sports competition”(Clark, Cooper, and
Griffen, 525). The usage of performance enhancing drugs like steroids has
become too widespread and it needs to be stopped. The illegal production and
distribution of steroids should be disrupted or even halted.
The athletic community as a whole looks down upon the usage of such
drugs. Many rules and regulations have been created to cut down on the number
of athletes that use drugs to heighten their performances. The Olympics
exemplify this strategy very well. If an Olympic competitor admits or is
tested positive for steroid use the can be stripped of any medals won, or they
can be disqualified from all competition. A well remembered instance in which
this occurred was when the sprinter Ben Johnson won the gold medal in the
100-meter dash, but not to long after he was denounced from his position as
the worlds fastest man. Professional and college football in the United
States also takes this approach to athletes caught using steroids. Football
players may be fined or suspended from playing in games for testing positive.
Just last month three National Football League players were suspended from the
last four games of their season because of testing positive for substances
that were similar to steroids. These are not the only events in which testing
and penalties take place. Many other sports test their athlete for steroid
use. These methods of testing and penalizing the athlete are valiant attempts
at reducing the problem. Yet, these attempts are not enough because they
focus too much on those that use the drugs instead of the sources of the
substances. In no way though are the athletes free from blame. They are the
individuals that must make the final decision, but there needs to be more of
an effort to penalize the persons distributing these drugs.
In order to solve any type of problem, one should consider the source of
the dilemma, and then head straight for that source with the intent to dispel
the struggle. I have a simple solution to propose that will correct the
escalating use of steroids among the athletes of today, but it may be hard to
accomplish. Although it seems like a good plan to penalize the athletes for
using steroids it really is not, because all this does is temporarily lessen
the use, nothing more. These athletes are taking the full blame for this
problem, but there are others that should share this burden with them. I
believe that instead of attacking athletes as though they are the criminals,
we need to assault the distributors of these substances. By cutting off the
problem at the root, which is the distributors and producers, we prevent the
athlete from ever having the chance of getting their hands on these steroids.
If we do not address the problem in this manner then it is possible that it
could never get resolved. It will continue to grow like weeds in a garden if
we do not rectify the issue. Leaving it up to the athletes to refrain from
usage allows the substances to continue being circulated, and this does not
bring us towards a solution it merely pacifies us. There needs to be some
strict fines placed on those that produce or distribute steroids.
It is necessary to understand the nature of these substances and what
they are. Steroids are natural or synthetically occurring compounds with a
wide range of physiological activity, as defined by Encarta Encyclopedia.
Steroids are substances that increase strength and size of the user. These
substances do this because they possess a tissue building quality. This
quality speeds up certain processes at the cellular level that involve growth
and development. Steroids are commonly used in the medical world for many
ailments and injuries. Included in the family of steroids are sex hormones,
adrenal hormones, and bile acids. Some of the substances are important to the
field of biology, as well as medicine. It was common earlier in the century
for steroids to be used to treat patients suffering from gastrointestinal
disorders. The steroids helped these patients build tissue that they
otherwise could not, because their disorders kept them from absorbing
nutrients. Steroids come in a wide array of forms, and can be taken many
different ways. These substances can be taken orally by swallowing pills, or
injected directly into the bloodstream. There are a couple new forms that can
be placed between the cheek and gum, as with chewing tobacco. The most common
forms of steroids are the anabolic steroids that are associated with the
sprinter Ben Johnson. Anabolic steroids increase muscle development, improve
strength, and enhance endurance. Few of these anabolic substances are legal
for use, maybe only a handful. Some anabolic steroids such as oxymethalone,
nandrolone, and stanozolol can only be found on the black market. Usage of
these three drugs can lead to addiction and severe health problems and other
side effects. Some of the health problems include sterility, heart or liver
disease, and kidney damage. Other common side effects are increased
aggressiveness and paranoia. Female users face even more problems than male
users. In females many physical changes may occur such as growth of facial
and body hair, deepening of the voice, diminished breasts, and abnormal
menstrual cycles. If taken by to early anabolic steroids may stunt growth, by
fusing the growth plates. Steroids can be beneficial in certain situations,
but usually they only lead to harmful res
In today’s world professional athletes are placed in high regard by
society. These athletes are made into role models and almost godlike
creatures. Because pro athletes are so glorified, many more are using
steroids to boost themselves and there careers into stardom. Ben Johnson’s
medal stripping marked the beginning of this widespread use by bringing it to
the attention of the world. The most likely place to find a steroid pumped
body is in the sport of professional bodybuilding. It is likely that nearly
all of the individuals that compete at the professional level of bodybuilding
have taken some form of steroids, during the course of their careers.
Professional wrestling which has gained much popularity in recent years is
notorious for steroid use among participants. The National Football League is
another place where steroid abuse has caught the attention of viewers. It
seems as though every day a new player is busted for testing positive.
Professional Baseball as well has had its share of controversy. Last year
Mark McGuire received some unwanted attention for his use of androstenedione,
a growth hormone. So, McGuire ended up stopping his usage so that he would
not be criticized when he broke the homerun record. Younger athletes that see
this behavior are very likely to emulate it. Brian Bozworth, a well-known
college football player, is also remembered for his steroid use during his
college days.
Another well remembered football player that struggled with steroid use
was Lyle Alzado. He used them all throughout his college and professional
careers. Alzado used the steroids secretly during his career to help him
achieve the greatness that he did. Eventually he declared publicly that he
had lied about his use, but this was only after some deadly side effects had
set in. During his early years playing he looked at steroids as answer to
gaining competitive edge in the rigorous sport, and quickly he became
addicted. He quickly gained recognition, and in 1977 he was award defensive
player of the year from the league. Alzado used the steroid called stanozolol
and later nandrolone, both extremely addictive and dangerous. He continued to
use them throughout his career disregarding the dangers that they brought.
Alzado’s popularity won him some television roles after his football career.
After being diagnosed with his disease, Alzado earnestly tried to convince
people of the dangers that steroid use entailed. Eventually he died from a
rare form of brain cancer that he attributed to steroids. Alzado was only
forty-three when he died (Compton’s Online Encyclopedia).
Competing in athletics on any level has its pressures. Pressures to
perform and win can be a heavy burden for players. Every player wants to be
the best and become the next superstar of their sport, like Michael Jordan is
to basketball. As with many areas of life, the better you perform on the
field the more prestige, money, and power you will receive. These rewards are
very enticing to young athletes, and many would sacrifice profusely to achieve
such goals. Getting to such greatness requires a great amount of time, skill,
hard work, and luck. But, instead of sacrificing time and hard work athletes
look for the easy way to reach stardom. This seems to be a theme that is
growing more common in the realm of sports. Still, some athletes may not be
as gifted as others may, so they likely will try to make up for deficiencies
by using steroids. Nevertheless, many factors can lead young athletes to turn
towards steroids.
Ever since I was young I have been involved in sports. It has always
been a dream of mine to play college football or baseball at a prestigious
school, and then maybe go to the big leagues. As the years have passed my
dream has gotten closer and closer to reality. I am now attending school on a
football scholarship. Along the way though I have felt many pressures from
family, friends, coaches, and mainly my self. All them want to succeed.
Because of these tremendous pressures I personally have been tempted to use
drugs to enhance my athletic abilities. I have seen many of my teammates use
them with no problems. Due to the fact that members of my team have used
them, I also have easy access in attaining them. I have been offered a free
amount several times just to try them. Thankfully, I have refrained from using
steroids. I have chosen other safer alternatives, but it may be harder to get
the results I need. I have decided to use dietary supplements to increase my
protein and nutrient intake. I have found that there are many stores around
where one can get good nutritional supplements to help themselves gain weight
and strength. I glad that technology has provided some decent alternative to
steroids, because they are a very tempting to young athletes like myself.
“Since the 1950s, anabolic steroid use in order to increase muscular
development and to improve strength and endurance has spread rapidly among
both male and female amateur and professional athletes”(Compton’s Online
Encyclopedia). This trend will continue to spread unless we address to source
of the problem, rather than the athlete. The makers and distributors of these
harmful and illegal substances must be caught and then penalized. It is
important that we do something about this problem because many people will
take these steroids without understanding the damages that they can cause to
their bodies. I have found alternatives to steroids, so I know from personal
experience that it is possible to be successful without them.
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“Steroids.” Compton’s Encyclopedia Online. The Learning Company Inc. 1998.
http:/…/fastweb?getdoc+viewcomptons+A+7184+0++steroids%20and%20anaboli
c (November 23, 1999). “anabolic steroid use in order to increase
muscular development… has spread rapidly…”
“Anabolic steroids.” The Concise Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 3rd
edition. The Columbia University Press. 1994.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/00468/html (November 23, 1999)
“Abuse of anabolic steroids may lead to increased irritability…”
“Steroids.” 98 Desk Encyclopedia. Microsoft Corporation. 1997.
“A large group of naturally occurring or synthetic lipids with a wide
range of physiological activity.”
Clark, Cooper, and Griffen. “An Old Problem.” Congressional Quarterly
Researcher July 26,1991: 525. “Athletes have taken natural or
synthetic performance aids since the earliest days of organized sports
competition. “