Steroids are synthetic or man-made hormones. Typically, they’re used to aid in the growth of tissue and can often be abused by athletes who are looking to increase the size and strength of their muscles. In males, steroids increase activity of testosterone levels and in females it gives them male characteristics.

The human body is made up of cells, these cells accept drugs that aid in ones recovery. This happens because the cells have cell receptors. A cell receptor basically turns on and off activity in the body. So when drugs are taken, the cell receptors decide which activity has to be turned on or turned off. The cell receptors command the cells to produce new proteins when they become occupied by the steroids. Steroids enter the body, and must proceed through numerous steps before they can exit the body. Most steroids are taken either orally or through injection. If taken orally, the first thing that needs to happen is the drug must travel through the digestive system until it reaches and enters the liver, after this happens it becomes absorbed into the bloodstream. Where as injected drugs are directly sent into the bloodstream. After the drug reaches the bloodstream it becomes distributed within the body due to the bloodstream travel. Then, the steroids undergo chemical reactions in order to maintain life, this most likely occurs in the liver. However steroids are harmful to the liver, and can cause serious health issues such as liver disease.

In the early 1950’s, Dr. John Zeigler and his medical team of highly trained physicians came up with a goal of creating a drug that would produce similar to results to that of the male hormone, testosterone. The drug they produced, would be similar but with different side effects. However, after it was too late, he realized and regretted he didn’t fully think of the consequences. He stated, “I wish I had never heard the word ‘steroid’. These kids do not realize the price they’ll pay.”

-Rapid increase in muscle mass -Increase in weight and size -Improved recovery rate (HGH) -Increased training intensity -Increased aggressiveness -Euphoria (emotional sense of wellbeing) -Used for medical reasons (to regain strength for certain ailments) -Mood swings (sudden/manic depression) -”Roid Rage” -Muscle cramps/aching joints -Increased cardiovascular disease risk -Increased muscle tears and tendon injuries -Infertility -Decrease immune system effectiveness -Acne -Risk of HIV, Hepatitis B & C from contaminated needles -Increased chance of cancer, liver and kidney disease -Prostate enlargement (men) -Increase chance of cervical cancer(women) -Decrease testicle size, enlarged breasts (men) - Decreased breast size, deepening of voice (women)

Roid Rage “An uncontrolled physical or verbal anger exhibited due to the use of anabolic steroids”. Actions become uncontrollable and they do not realize what they are doing. Sometimes can lead to injuries to others or even themselves, maybe even suicide. Occurs because an individual taking steroids is now placed with an excessive amount of testosterone in their body.

Roid Rage When the excess testosterone is placed in the body, the individual is struck with a feeling of Euphoria. Usage of steroids continuously can even result in the symptomatic behaviors of an individual that suffers from the diseases of schizophrenia, mania, and deep depression Can easily be considered a psychological disorder because of the results and effects that it endures on one‘s body, as well as the dependency on the usage of steroids, and becoming psychologically addicted.

Psychological Dependency Taking steroids can become a problem if an individual becomes psychologically dependant on them. The user can feel like they are not getting the best workouts, or not getting big enough. This would cause the user to become addicted or dependant on steroids.

In today’s world, the ongoing problem of steroids is most well known in the world of sports because the constant media coverage athletes endure day to day. Steroids can be considered to many as a form of cheating since it enhances ones results and performance. It gives the player using them and unfair advantage against those who train naturally, being that those who use performance enhancing drugs are able to build muscle mass faster than those who do the same amount of work without the enhancement.

Since steroids create such an advantage, and have such harmful side effects, they are banned from most sports, and are illegal in the united states of America. However this does not stop athletes and everyday people from using this harmful drugs. There are very harsh penalties for using steroids, and these penalties are not limited to athletes only. An athlete using steroids will see rapid muscle growth and become much bigger.

Major League Baseball- 1 st offense, suspended 50 games 2 nd offense, suspended 100 games 3 rd offense, lifetime suspension National Football League – 1 st offense, 4 games 2 nd offense, 6 games 3 rd offense, minimum of one year Federal Crime- An individual found selling steroids may face up to five years in jail Most results are acquired via a urine test and they are completely random

Works Cited Cramer, Robert J. "Anabolic Steroids Are Easily Purchased Without a Prescription and Present Significant Challenges to Law Enforcement Officials: GAO " GAO Reports (2005): 1. Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Web. 13 Nov Works Cited Fischbach, Amy Florence. "UNDERGROUND: The Club Culture of Steroids." Fitness Business Pro 21.5 (2005): Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Web. 13 Nov Works Cited Hopcroft, Keith. "Best practice." Update 68.4 (2004): 199. Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Web. 13 Nov Works Cited Phillips, Owen. "Roid rage and the working class." New Statesman (2004): 17. Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Web. 13 Nov

Works Cited "roid rage." Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon. Dictionary.com, LLC. 13 Nov rage "testosterone." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 13 Nov “The Man Behind the Juice” By Justin Peters February 18 th