Anabolic steroids don't lead to happy endings, By: Dr. Joe Guettler

7/6/07 

A steroid scandal has surfaced once again, only this time the consequences were much more serious than a suspension or a fine.

Many of you have read or heard about the WWE wrestler who recently, police believe, murdered his family and then took his own life. While much attention is paid to the physical changes that come about through the use of anabolic steroids, this story highlights the negative psychological impact that steroid abuse could potentially have on an individual.

I have two perspectives on the topic: One perspective involves the facts that I know and the issues that I have dealt with as a physician; the other is the insight that I have gained as an ex-collegiate athlete and guy who still hits the gym. If you're reading this column purely for leisure, here you go. If you actually know someone who's on steroids and thinks they're great, you might want to forward this article to them.

If you're thinking of using anabolic steroids to improve your athletic performance or your appearance, think again. Some athletes use steroids in an attempt to improve their athletic performance. Other young persons use the drug because they are insecure about their appearance. Anabolic steroids may help you increase the size of muscles, but if you take the drug to improve your athletic performance or to look good, think again. Although some guys at the gym seem to look pretty cool from a distance, and some Major Leaguers are certainly hitting plenty of homers, we need to look seriously at some questions:

If you're a guy, why take a drug that may:

1.       Cause your hair to fall out?

2.       Shrink your testicles?

3.       Give you acne?

4.       Cause tendon ruptures requiring surgery?

If you're a young woman considering steroids, do you want:

1.       Facial hair?

2.       A lower voice?

3.       Irregular menstrual periods?

If you're an adolescent or high school athlete thinking about it:

1.       Do you want to take a drug that stunts your growth?

Do you want to deal with the psychological affects resulting in:

1.       Aggressive and sometimes violent behavior?

2.       Paranoid delusions?

3.       Severe depression that can lead to suicidal behavior?

In addition, if you buy anabolic steroids from illegal sources, you never know if they are pure. You could take a drug that is tainted. And don't forget - sharing needles to inject steroids has also been linked to AIDS.

UGLY RESULTS AND UNHAPPY ENDINGS

Anabolic steroids can make a person uncontrollably aggressive and combative, even with the people they love.

Steroid abusers often have arrest records. Although the psychological effects can be reversed when steroids are discontinued, the social scars may remain. Many former steroid abusers tell of terrible depression and suicide attempts.

How much better will you look with pimples and hair loss? How much better will you perform on a team if a tendon ruptures and you're out for the season? What if you get depressed and ...?

If you're thinking of taking anabolic steroids, think again about the risks.