Steroid Nation

Steroid Nation

Steroid Nation      The use of steroids in the past decade has commonly been associated with male body-builders and athletes. However, recent and current steroid users represent a much more diverse group of individuals. Although the majority of steroid users are often young, male athletes, those who choose to take steroids vary. Steroid use can be extremely harmful, both mentally and physically, and users often enter blindly not fully understanding the consequences of their decision as well as the health risks involved (Steroids 1).      Steroid use is seen among both genders in adolescents, male and female models, law enforcement personnel, the cliché football or baseball player, as well as those participating in endurance sports such as swimming and cycling (Steroids 1). The broad range of users makes it difficult to pin-point individuals who typically use steroids, but the reasoning behind the decision to use illegal steroids does have familiarities. As Dr. Wadler explains, anabolic steroids, because of their ability to mimic the body-building traits of testosterone, are targeted by athletes in the hopes of better performance (Wadler 2). Adolescents may use steroids to help speed up the process of puberty. The pressure of seeing others mature at a faster rate may cause a young person to want to develop sooner than their body intended. This could lead to the consideration and perhaps ultimate decision to take steroids.      Young models, both female and male, in an industry where body image plays a huge role in their careers may seek steroids to improve their physical appearance. A leaner body may book more campaigns and photo shoots. What all of these groups are often unaware of are the long-term, sometimes irreversible, harmful effects steroid uses causes on the body (Steroids 2).      The side effects of anabolic steroid use depend on a number of different variables. The severity and frequency depends on factors such as the type of drug, dosage, duration of...

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