Anabolic Steroids Research Paper

Words: 719
Pages: 3

An Androgenic-anabolic steroid (AAS) is a synthetically made drug that is similar to the male hormone, testosterone. This drug works as a muscle-building agent that can aid in increasing muscle mass, improving performance, gaining weight, or gaining strength in general. Originating in the 1930’s, it was produced as a means to help men who could not create enough testosterone on their own to support normal growth. As knowledge of the drugs potential advantages spread, so did its popularity among athletes of all levels and ages.
Drug abuse has been a common health issue among college students and athletes for many years. College is a time where individuals are expected to make their own decisions and work toward a successful future. However, college student-athletes may face an even larger responsibility and can very easily become victims of a plethora of bad decisions and habits. Androgenic-anabolic steroid abuse has become a widespread issue among college athletes. “Most evidence indicates that intercollegiate student-athletes are more likely than non-athletes to use anabolic steroids for non-medical
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“Without better drug education available to athletes and stronger prevention messages, substance use behaviors among college athletes, particularly among those who engage in performance enhancing substance use, is likely to remain high” (Buckman, 2013). Something as simple as increased education can be the key to stopping steroid abuse before it begins. “Lifetime NMAS was significantly associated with cigarette smoking, binge drinking, marijuana use, other illicit drug use, DSM-IV alcohol use disorders and other risky health behaviors”(Mccabe, 2007). It is evident that steroid abuse can be a route of many other unhealthy and unsafe behaviors. Not only can increase education help prevent steroid abuse, but also a wide range of other