Page 114 - 84 human physiolofy part-1

Chapter 6

Steroids

Anabolic steroids, which are synthetic versions of the primary male sex hormone testosterone, can
be injected, taken orally, or used transdermally. These drugs are Controlled Substances that can be
prescribed to treat conditions such as body wasting in patients with AIDS, and other diseases that occur
when the body produces abnormally low amounts of testosterone. However, the doses prescribed to
treat these medical conditions are 10 to 100 times lower than the doses that are abused for performance
enhancement.

Let me be clear:- while anabolic steroids can enhance certain types of performance or
appearance,they are dangerous drugs, and when used inappropriately, they can cause a host of severe,
long-lasting, and often irreversible negative health consequences. These drugs can stunt the height of
growing adolescents, masculinize women, and alter sex characteristics of men. Anabolic steroids can
lead to premature heart attacks, strokes, liver tumors, kidney failure and serious psychiatric problems.
In addition, because steroids are often injected, users risk contracting or transmitting HIV or hepatitis.

Abuse of anabolic steroids differs from the abuse of other illicit substances because the initial use
of anabolic steroids is not driven by the immediate euphoria that accompanies most drugs of abuse,
such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, but by the desire of the abuser to change their appearance and
performance, characteristics of great importance to adolescents. These effects of steroids can boost
confidence and strength leading the abuser to overlook the potential serious long-term damage that
these substances can cause.....

Government agencies such as NIDA support research that increases our understanding of the
impact of steroid abuse and improves our ability to prevent abuse of these drugs. For example, NIDA
funding led to the development of two highly effective programs that not only prevent anabolic steroid
abuse among male and female high school athletes, but also promote other healthy behaviors and
attitudes. The ATLAS (targeting male athletes) and ATHENA (targeting female athletes) programs
have been adopted by schools in 29 states and Puerto Rico. Both Congress and the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration have endorsed ATLAS and ATHENA as model prevention
programs, which could and should be implemented in more communities throughout the country.

In addition to these prevention programs and other research efforts, also has invested in public
education efforts to increase awareness about the dangers of steroid abuse. We have material on our
website about steroid abuse at www.steroidabuse.gov and in April 2005 we again will distribute a
"Game Plan" public service announcement designed to bring attention to abuse of anabolic steroids.

Research has shown that the inappropriate use of anabolic steroids can have catastrophic medical,
psychiatric and behavioral consequences.

I hope that students, parents, teachers, coaches and others will take advantage of the information
on our website about anabolic steroids abuse and join us in our prevention and education efforts.
Participating in sports offers many benefits, but young people and adults shouldn't take unnecessary
health risks in an effort to win.(Nora D. Volkow, M.D.)

-Human-made substances related to male sex hormones. Some athletes abuse anabolic steroids to
enhance performance. Abuse of anabolic steroids can lead to serious health problems, some of which
are irreversible.

114 | Human Physiology