Athletes Turn To Steroids example essay topic

For the past three decades, steroids have become a serious problem of abuse in the athletic field. Steroids are an anabolic drug affecting the growth hormones. Some of which include the androgen's (male sex hormones) principally testosterone and estrogen and (female sex hormones). Steroids were first developed for medical purposes. They " re used in controlling inflammation, strengthening weakened hearts, preventing conception, and alleviating symptoms of arthritis and asthma. Unfortunately research has shown that steroids have been abused in almost every kind of sport.

Although steroids contribute to a muscular body, usage should remain illegal because they physically deteriorate and mentally destroy the body. Many people are fascinated about steroids because of their ability to build up the body. Whether taken by injection or by pill, steroids increase strength and endurance. They also help in the healing process of muscular tissue by first injuring them, which in turn causes the muscles to heal quicker by adding more fiber, thus increasing their bulk.

Many athletes turn to steroids more often because they " re considered rather cheep in comparison to other muscle enhancement drugs. A ten-week cycle of testosterone and costs only $100. Steroids are also very hard to trace because of their water base composition. They can pass through the body within two days. The benefit of steroids helps athletes become more competitive, and increases their chance of being a winner. Of course everybody wants better biceps and triceps but when using steroids to achieve this goal there is a large price to pay.

Steroids should remain illegal because they physically deteriorate the whole body. When injected, one risks the chances of developing hematoma and contracting AIDS. In women, steroids contribute to the growth of facial hair, enlargements of the clitoris, shrinkage of the uterus, sterility, deepening of the voice, decrease in breast size and irregularity of the menstrual cycle. In men, steroids cause shrinkage of the testicles, decrease in sperm count, sterility, impotence, prostate enlargement, and growth of female breast. The side effects in both men and women are hair loss, liver ailments, acne, and cancer. This dangerous drug shortens the life span up to twenty years and increases the chance of obtaining diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension.

The side effects and reactions from enduring anabolic steroids are endless. Along with the physical problems there are also mental reactions associated with the usage of steroids. This drug becomes very addictive and damaging to the mind. It causes violent episodes, which athletes in the past have been able to claim a defense of 'legal insanity' to. They get so wrapped up psychologically, that the harmful effects don't even matter to them anymore. Research has also discovered that steroids cause psychotic episodes, sometimes referred to as 'road rage'.

Along with these are wild aggressive, combative behavior, depression, listlessness and delusions during and after performance. Even though the game is over athletes want to continue competing. Steroids mentally destroy the brain and ability to reason. Overall the usage of steroids is very damaging to the human body.

Even though it physically builds up the body for better performance the risks of use are enormous. Steroids physically deteriorate and mentally destroy the body. The usage of steroids provides an unfair advantage to non-user athletes and therefore should remain illegal for non-medical use.