Drugs & Sports

Drugs & Sports

Do you know?

• Anabolic steroids are chemically

manufactured drugs. They are a man-made

version of testosterone, the male sex

hormone.

• Athletes and body builders take anabolic

steroids to make their muscles bigger and

stronger. The drug also keeps their energy

high so they can train longer and harder

without getting tired and sore.

• Some men take steroids because they think

they will look better with bigger muscles.

• It is illegal to sell anabolic steroids

for the purpose of improving a person’s

performance in sports.

• There are a few very specific medical uses

for anabolic steroids, including treatment

for some forms of breast cancer and blood

disorders and for people who are not

growing properly.

• Some athletes take 5 to 10 times the

amount that a doctor might prescribe for

legitimate medical uses. Some body

builders and weight lifters may take 200

times the prescribed amount.

• Steroids are taken by mouth or by injection.

Athletes usually take them in a cycle that

lasts from four to 18 weeks.The cycle

includes starting with low doses of more

than one steroid, then gradually increasing

the dose, then stopping use entirely. This is

called “stacking.”

• Some athletes take other drugs besides

anabolic steroids in an attempt to improve

their performance. For example:

– stimulants (drugs that make them more

alert and delay tiredness, allowing them

to train longer). These may include

pseudoephedrine or caffeine.

– analgesics (substances that act on the

brain and spinal cord to reduce the

amount of pain that is felt). An example

is ibuprofen.

– diuretics (drugs that cause quick but

temporary weight loss). An example is

caffeine.

– marijuana (a drug that may have a

calming effect).

Short-term Effects

While using anabolic steroids a person may:

• be able to exercise longer and harder

without getting tired

• become stronger

• have feelings of confidence and enthusiasm

• feel aggressive and irritable (known as

“roid rage”)

• have mood swings (feel happy one minute

and sad the next)

• feel anxious and unable to sleep well

• feel depressed (sad)

• have headaches, stomach aches and

nosebleeds

• have high blood pressure and a faster

heart rate

Other drugs used to enhance performance

also have serious side effects, especially

when combined with anabolic steroids.

Drugs & Sports

Stunted Growth

When young people take steroids, they are

risking an extremely serious consequence:

the drug may prevent them from growing

to their full height.

Long-term Effects

After heavy use of anabolic steroids over a

long period of time, a person may experience:

• an increase in muscle size and rapid weight

gain (5 to 10 kg in 6 to 12 weeks)

• acne (pimples and cysts on the face, upper

back, shoulders and arms)

• a “moon face” (the face becomes round in

appearance)

• less flexible muscles and ruptured tendons

• jaundice (the whites of the eyes or the skin

take on a yellowish tinge, which is a sign

of liver problems)

• liver damage that cannot be cured

• stroke or heart attack caused by blood

clots and hardening of the arteries

• paranoid feelings (feeling scared or

suspicious for no reason)

• a tendency to be violent in their behaviour

Tolerance and Dependence

• People using steroids can become

psychologically dependent (they feel they

need it) as well as physically dependent

(the body needs it).

• Tolerance (a need for more steroids to

get the desired effect) does not develop

in users.

Withdrawal Symptoms

• Withdrawal symptoms include loss

of appetite, throwing up, headaches,

and sweating.

• Users may feel dizzy, irritable and sad.

• Users may crave the drug.

Other Risks

• Girls and women who use steroids for a

long time may experience changes to their

bodies that may be irreversible:

– hair growth on their faces and bodies

– lowered voices

– irregular menstrual periods

– a reduction in the size of their breasts

– male pattern baldness

– the inability to become pregnant

• Boys and men who use steroids for a long

time may experience changes to their bodies:

– the development of breasts

– a reduction in the size of their testicles

– the inability to have sexual intercourse

(impotence)

– a drop in their sperm count and

temporary infertility (cannot become

a father)

• For those who inject, sharing needles can

lead to infections such as HIV and hepatitis.