Anabolic-androgenic steroids, or simply steroids, or in common slang, either “roids”, “gear”, and “juice”, are synthetic hormones that help with the growth and repair of muscle tissue. They imitate the male sex hormone, testosterone, which is needed to promote the growth of skeletal muscle (anabolic effects) and the development of male sexual characteristics in both males and females. Steroids come in various forms, including tablets and capsules, sublingual tablets, liquid drops, gels, creams, transdermal patches, subdermal implant pellets, and water-based and oil-based injectable solutions. However, how is it applied? Steroids are administered in various ways, and the dosage may vary depending on the specific condition being treated. For tablets, liquids, and soluble tablets, they are usually taken once a day in the morning, either with food or after food. Creams and gels are usually taken once or twice a day for a few weeks, and should only be used on affected areas of the skin. Finally, eye drops and ointments are taken regularly throughout the day, with one drop in each eye each time you take them.
This is an example of what steroids may look like.
Influences (P.I.S)
There are a lot of reasons why teenage athletes and non-athletes use anabolic steroids. These reasons vary, with either being a personal, interpersonal, or societal reason as to why they want to use it. An example of a personal reason these people may want to use it is to enhance strength and look jacked as a whole. Sports have a huge physical demand on the body, whether that may be basketball, volleyball, or even powerlifting. Steroids can increase strength and can make you stronger as you play these sports, so athletes, especially teenage athletes, take control of this and inject themselves with this drug with the hopes of being stronger in said sports. Moreover, non-athletes may want to take these steroids just to look jacked in general, so that they look better in the mirror and so that they can feel better about themselves. In addition to this, an interpersonal influence as to why a teen might want to use steroids is due to the culture of the team. In some sports, there may be an expectation that using steroids is needed to succeed or keep up with others. Therefore, teens might feel that their performance, playing time or position on the team depends on the physical abilities of their peers, causing them to be influenced to use steroids due to this culture of “winning at all costs”. Lastly, teens are often influenced by athletes, actors, or even social media personalities who are looked up to for their strength and physique. Exploring more into why teens might do this is because in this current age, many teens look up to pro athletes and want to follow their path. Therefore, if they believe steroids helped those athletes achieve success, they may see it as a shortcut to greatness.
(i) Short-term and Long-term Steroids have on Well-being
Physical Well-being
- Short-term positives: Increase muscle mass, strength, and recovery speed
- Short-term negatives: Acne, weight gain, increased aggression, problems with sleep
- Long-term negatives: Liver and kidney damage, high blood pressure, heart disease, infertility, and risk of cancer
- Long-term positives: Maintained strength (if managed well)
Mental & Emotional Well-being
- Short-term positives: Better focus because of performance gains
- Short-term negatives: Poor decision-making, mental obsession with training
- Long-term negatives: Impaired memory, reduced ability to think clearly, chemical imbalances, addiction
Social Well-being:
- Short-term positives: Increased confidence, recognition, status in sports
- Short-term negatives: Aggressive outbursts, more discrete around drug use, risk of conflict
- Long-term negatives: Isolation, damaged reputation if caught, and being banned from sports
- Long-term positives: respect from peers if performance stays high
Spiritual Well-being:
- Short-term positives: Temporary pride or satisfaction from the gains you got
- Short-term negatives: Feelings of guilt or conflict if usage goes against beliefs or values
- Long-term negatives: Weakened self-identity, reduced sense of purpose, disconnection from culture/community
The impacts of steroid usage are connected. For example, while steroids may improve a person’s physical well-being in the short term by boosting strength and appearance, the side effects, like aggression and bad decision-making, can harm social well-being, which leads to damaged relationships. Furthermore, over time, the physical consequences like infertility or heart disease can cause emotional damage, which lowers mental and emotional well-being through stress, anxiety, and reduced concentration. This shows that one area of wellbeing can influence the others, and damage to physical health can trigger negative impacts all around a person’s hauora.
Anabolic steroids are classified as a prescription medicine. Therefore, their use is only legal when it is prescribed by a registered doctor for a real medical purpose, like hormone replacement therapy or treating other medical conditions. If caught possessing, importing, supplying, or manufacturing steroids without a prescription, it is prohibited and considered an offence.
These penalties include:
Possession without prescription
- Up to 6 months of prison
- Up to $1,000 NZD fine
- Or both
Importing or supplying without authorisation
- Up to 8 years of prison
- Up to $500,000 NZD fine
- Or both
Trafficking or distribution without authorisation
- Up to 14 years of prison
- Up to $500,000 NZD fine
- Or both
If athletes are caught using steroids in sports, they may face a suspension or a ban from all sports, including being able to compete, train, and coach. Moreover, if caught, it can also strip a person’s results from an event, their points, their prizes, and their achievements. Finally, the public may lead to potential damage to reputation due to the use of drugs.
To stay safe around steroids, teens should, firstly, educate themselves about the long and short-term risks steroids can have on all four of our walls to wellbeing. Whether that be physical, mental and emotional, social, and spiritual. Moreover, understanding that steroids are illegal without a prescription and can be banned in sports makes them more informed in decision-making. Thirdly, saying “no” and being assertive is important if being peer-pressured to use such a drug. Although it might be good to listen to your elders, you should never always trust role models or use steroids just because they promote them. A better option overall is to avoid these types of role-models, instead, follow those who aim to promote their content with natural gains. Finally, avoiding illegal sources as these carry health and legal dangers and exposure to unsafe substances which will make the side-effects worse. Instead, talk to trusted adults, as they can provide guidance and support whenever needed and can support you if you feel tempted or pressured.
Scenario: pick 1
You play sports for your school and you want to improve your strength and speed to make the A team. A friend suggested they use steroids so that they can help gain his goals quicker. You feel tempted but you want to impress everyone, but you also dont want to get caught using the drug and harming your health.
Options (at least one of the three must be a good idea)
- You take your friends suggestion and take steroids
- Ignore your friend and do nothing
- Say “no” assertively and focus on natural training with advice
Consequences
(cover pos & neg)
- Fast muscle growth, and increased strength and feels more competitive in the sport you play. However, you find yourself in health risks such as heart, liver, and hormonal issues. You also develop an addiction and get yourself into trouble as you might get banned from the sport you played in
- You avoid health risks and the ban. However, you might feel left behind in performance and will lead to frustration and lowered confidence
- Builds strength, speed, and fitness safely and naturally; which avoids health and sport problems. However, progress is slower compared to someone taking steroids.
Feelings (be descriptive)
- Might feel excited, confident, or proud at first, but might be feel guilty and scared of getting caught of using drugs
- You feel a sense of relief and safety from avoiding the usage of steroids, but also disappointed that you dont see progress quicker
- Confidence and satisfaction because of your hard work you did to improve in your sport, and a reassured sence that you and your peers are safe.
Health – enhancing decision.
Option 3
The best choice is for you to focus on natural training as by building strength and speed through proper and natural exercise, nutrition, and rest, you can enhance your taha tinana as your slowly build that fitness and strength naturally without the side effects steroids have. Morevoer, it also builds self-confidence and a sense of achievement as he achieved what he can naturally. Although it is slower than if you used steroids, you strengthen your mental and emotional wellbeing as you become more confident and proud of yourself you were able to achieve this length. Next, you improve your taha whanau as you are able to maintain a level of trust and respect from not only your coach, but your teammates and your family as it avoids you feeling guilty and anxious because you are afraid to tell people you use this drug, Finally, it aligns you with your personal views and a sense of integrity grows as while you train, a sense of authenticity and balance is there due to that proper training regiment.
FABULOUS DAY
