Steroids

Running Head: ARE STEROIDS WORTH THE SIDE EFFECTS? 1

Are Steroids Worth the Long and Short Term Effects In The Future?
Danny Hill
Tarleton State University

ARE STEROIDS WORTH THE SIDE EFFECTS? 2
Abstract
This paper will introduce four articles that discuss the reasons why athletes take steroids and why steroids are and aren’t worth the long term side effects. The articles vary in their opinions behind the usage of steroids in whether steroids are good or not…..

ARE STEROIDS WORTH THE SIDE EFFECTS? 3
Are Steroids Worth the Long and Short Term Effects In The Future?
Every kid has that same wish when they are younger. They all wish they can play in the pros one day just like their favorite athlete that they watch on the television. The likely hood of an athlete actually making it to the next level as being a professional athlete is one to a hundred. Young athletes love fame, and will do anything to get to that next level of competition to either get a starting position, scholarship, or even contract. For example, one of the things athletes might even do is steroids so they can get that edge that they feel is necessary to reach their goals. Athletes take steroids to get the extra edge that they will make them faster, stronger, jump higher, recover from injury faster, etc., but in reality it’s one of the worst things that an athlete can do to their body and illegal. For example, an article in Men’s Health (2011) states, “In both men and women, anabolic steroids can cause: Bone growth to stop before it is complete in a teen, the teen may not reach his or her full adult height, heart attack or stroke, even in a very young person, high blood pressure, higher levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of good cholesterol (HDL), liver disease and possibly liver cancer, the chance of these problems is higher when steroids are taken as a pill, oily skin and acne, male-pattern hair loss, skin infections that can become severe if the drug was tainted with bacteria, irritability, rage, uncontrolled high energy (mania), or false beliefs (delusions).” This just proves that steroids aren’t worth the long term effects that give athletes the boost for competition in the matter of a couple weeks. While the article gave helpful information about the side-effects of steroids and how they aren’t good for an athlete’s body, but it doesn’t address whether or not this happens to everyone who partakes in steroids.
ARE STEROIDS WORTH THE SIDE EFFECTS? 4
Therefore, this paper is going to concentrate on the reasons why athletes feel like they have to take steroids, and why the long and short term effects aren’t worth the athletic boost steroids give athletes. Specifically, it asks: Are the long term effects of steroids worth the short term boost that steroids give athletes?
Methods
` The subject for this study is whether or not the long and short term effects of steroids are worth the athletic boost. I surveyed three former athletes that have taken steroids in the past for athletic purposes during the last week of February 2013. The candidates were picked because I knew from previously talking to them in the past that they have taken steroids for athletic purposes. Some of the typical questions on the survey consisted of: Why did you take steroids? , Did steroids help you become a better player? , Did the steroids give you the boost that you were hoping for? , Did you notice any differences in your health or attitude? , and Have you had any health symptoms now that you have been off steroids for a while?
Results
I surveyed three athletes over the phone and in person that have used steroids in the past for athletic purposes. The surveys consisted of the questions why did you take steroids and two of the athletes said they took steroids to get the extra edge over the competition and to get to the next level. While the other said they took steroids to recover from an injury.