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NEWS

The Norwich Guidon
April 8, 2004

Steroid use by athletes endangers mental, physical health

By Carrie Mitchell
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

America is becoming the land of the large. Thirty-five percent of all Americans age 20 or older are obese, according to federal statistics. Ironically, as average weight has increased, the quest for thinness has become a nationwide obsession.

Millions of people across the world are unhappy with their bodies. The sale of weight-loss supplements, diet plans, work out tapes and exercise machines make companies billions of dollars each year. People are always trying to find a way to shed unwanted pounds, tighten their tummies or get that perfect beach body. And for some, that includes using steroids to achieve their goal.

"I've been using various types of steroids for about 10 years, now, and I have almost achieved what I would consider perfection," said John, a fitness trainer from Saratoga Springs, N.Y., who asked that his last name be withheld.

John fits the description of an average steroid user. He is a 29- year-old, middle-class, white male who began using steroids as a teenager to boost both his strength, performance and muscular look.

"I started [using steroids] because I wanted to be able to play football in college, not be the bench warmer. I was recruited to play, but I knew competition for play time was going to be tough," John said.

Anabolic steroids have synthetic derivatives of male hormones, which are approved for medical use to treat such conditions as burns, injuries, and disease recovery. Steroids are safe if used correctly and in accordance with a physician's instruction. But they can still cause serious side effects, especially with long-term use. Some of those side effects are heart disease, liver tumors, jaundice, acne, breast enlargement, impotence and atrophy [shrinking] of the testicles in men, and breast reduction and beard growth in women.

Despite the possible side effects, steroids are an alarmingly popular drug for both males and females who wish to achieve the "perfect" body.

Emily, who asked that her last name be withheld, is a 23-year-old bodybuilder from the New York area who began using steroids eleven months ago. She is beginning to regret her steroid use.

"The muscle gain was amazing. I've trained hard for the past few months, and the combination of the enhancer [steroid] and intense training just caked on the muscle," Emily said. "But I've also begun to notice some of the bad changes, or maybe I'm just paranoid. My facial hair has gotten coarser, thicker and longer. That's the last thing any woman wants to happen, unless she's the bearded lady at the circus."

Though the sale of black market steroids is illegal in the US, with a hefty fine and up to five years of jail time, they aren't hard to get. Steroids can be purchased over the Internet; they can be smuggled across borders like many other illegal drugs, or, in some cases, obtained right from doctors or veterinarians here in the US

According to Mick Hart, steroid user and author, there is a safe way to use anabolic steroids to achieve the body you want.

"I chose the steroid route, because I did not want to waste time in the gym getting the body I desired," Hart said.

Hart said his books contain "the good, the bad and the ugly" of steroids today broken down into terms that anyone can understand. Hart admits that steroids are dangerous but claims that he has created a safe way to use them. Hart is experienced in the use of steroids from both personal use and his experience as a trainer.

"I have trained many people, including many champion bodybuilders and athletes from all backgrounds and at all levels who take steroids, and I do not attempt to hide it," said Hart.

Hart is a certified Olympic coaching instructor and has been a professional body builder for about 25 years. He has written two books on the subject of steroids and has his own magazine called "No Bull Collection." Hart is quite well known throughout the weight rooms of the world. He has written numerous articles for other popular fitness magazines like Muscle Mag and Men's Health. Hart is also a leading bodybuilding and steroid advisor to the British media and has designed and built over four hundred gyms. No matter how appealing Hart makes steroid use sound, one must remember that steroids are illegal and dangerous, with both legal consequences and serious health risks.

Steroids can cause both physical and mental damage to the user. Along with liver damage, heart disease and the many other physical side effects, the user may also experience psychological effects: depression or an increase in aggression, which can lead to violent outbursts known as"'roid rage." These are all factors that anyone planning on using a steroid should consider.

"I think, ultimately, the decision to use a drug should be left to the individual," said Emily, "I'm going to cycle off and leave it alone. I can maintain what I have through training. I don't want to become a habitual user."

Steroids can be as addictive as cocaine; most steroid users "cycle", which means they use steroids for a period of weeks, usually 4 to 18, then take a break from the steroids before starting up the next regimen. Another popular habit of steroid use is "stacking" or using multiple different kinds of steroids at the same time.

This increases risks of side effects and increases risks of problems caused by the combination of two separate drugs.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.