Editorial - The Truth about Steroids
written by J. Ward, 2000
[most relevant parts in bold for emphasis]
We've all heard the horror stories about anabolic steroids. Shriveled testicles, men growing breasts, liver cancer, heart disease and all other types of ailments have been attributed to the use of these drugs. Across the globe the medical community, the media and national governments have perpetuated a sensationalized, not to mention one-sided, view of the steroid issue that has misinformed the public and generated an air of evil around the very word "steroid". Now it's time to clear the smoke out of the air and show the issue as it really is.
So, what exactly is an anabolic steroid? Basically, all steroids are a synthetic derivative of testosterone, a hormone which has androgenic qualities. This means that it produces male sex characteristics such as facial hair, body hair and a deep voice. Testosterone also has anabolic, tissue-building properties, and it was originally developed to accelerate the healing of wounds. The anabolic qualities of steroids produce many positive effects upon human physiology, making them desirable for athletic performance or physical enhancement. However, the androgenic effects make them undesirable for use by women.
Since the discovery of steroids, researchers have been able to produce testosterone derivatives with enhanced anabolic effects and significantly reduced androgenic effects. The main benefits of taking steroids include the development of greater muscular mass and strength, burning of fat, strengthening of bones, elevated mood and enhanced sex drive. These benefits gradually diminish after cessation of steroid use, but many users report keeping some of the gains they have made. [b]The much-publicized risks include death, testicular atrophy, gynecomastia, and so-called "roid rage". But have these side effects been exaggerated? Rick Collins, a criminal defense lawyer who specializes in defending steroid cases in court, has been researching the physical and legal implications of steroids for fifteen years. He has prepared an informative website that includes interviews and facts on steroids that will shed light on this debate.
According to an interview with Collins, the main reason steroids became controlled substances in the 1970's was that athletes using them had an unfair advantage and were considered to be cheating. He states,
“Congressional hearings were held to determine whether the Controlled Substances Act should be amended to include anabolic steroids along with more serious drugs like cocaine and heroin. The majority of witnesses who testified, including medical professionals and representatives of regulatory agencies (including the FDA, the DEA and the National Institute on Drug Abuse) recommended against the proposed amendment to the law. Even the American Medical Association repeatedly and vehemently opposed it, maintaining that steroid abuse does not lead to the physical or psychological dependence required for scheduling under the Controlled Substances Act!”
Furthermore, he says,
“A review of the transcripts of the hearings suggests that health risk concerns were secondary considerations to Congress [emphasis added]. The most influential witnesses who testified were representatives from either amateur or professional athletics.”
Considering the dubious political motives behind this, it is time to examine whether or not the health risks have been exaggerated. First of all, an electronic database search turned up only three deaths attributed to steroid use over the past two decades. A study by scientists Yesalis and Bahrke in 1995 states,
“Given the high rates of use and dosages consumed (up to ten times greater than the recommended medical doses), the levels of reported adverse side effects and fatal side effects are low.”
In addition, Drugs in Sport volume 106 has a special section on steroids which contains the following quote:
"Although there is potential for serious long-term health problems, there is some evidence that the vast majority of users do not experience such problems (Silver 1995).
A longitudinal Australian study of 169 casual athletes who were prescribed low to moderate doses of steroids found that side effects were minimal and reversible (Millar 1994)."
[/b]
In light of these studies, people like Rick Collins are pushing for the decriminalization of steroid use (although they will still be banned in sports). Researchers are looking into making steroids safer and more acceptable for therapeutic use. It may be a long way off, but Collins hopes that one day, steroids may be legally prescribed for male cosmetic enhancement as an alternative to surgery – which is far more costly than steroids and involves a comparable set of risks. Currently, the safest way for people to receive the benefits of testosterone is to raise their natural hormone levels through proper exercise.
Until the medical establishment approves of steroids, obtaining them from the black market and administering them to oneself without medical supervision is the only option available for most people who have made the decision to use these drugs. Therefore, they risk prosecution by the authorities or even serving jail time for possession of steroids. This is the [i]true risk[/i] of steroid use. Also, some users do not know how to take the correct dosages or how to stop.