Why Do People Abuse Steroids? Submitted By: Gabriel Adams Abuse of anabolic steroids typically starts in adolescence and is driven by the desire to improve performance and physical appearance. This is unlike abuse of other illicit substances such as heroin, cocaine and marijuana that are taken for the euphoric feelings that accompany them. Anabolic steroids are mainly taken by professional bodybuilders in order to increase

muscle mass and size and by other professional athletes who wish to enhance their athletic performance and reduce body fat. These physical and performance enhancing effects of steroid boost strength and confidence, leading abusers to ignore the potential long-term and often fatal damage that these substances can cause. Teenagers typically start taking anabolic steroids in an attempt to emulate professional athletes whom they idolize.

Persistent reports of professional athletes and the abuse of anabolic steroids inadvertently endorses its use and sends out a damaging message to the youth that bigger and faster is better and you do what it takes to become the best. Abuse of anabolic steroids is also widespread among people who suffer from muscle dysmorphia, a behavioral syndrome that causes them to have a distorted image of their body.

Typically, men with this condition think they look too weak and small and take steroids to increase the size of their muscles. Women who suffer from this condition mistakenly think they look flabby and fat and resort to taking steroids in an attempt to lose body fat. Adverse effects of anabolic steroid abuse While short term use of anabolic steroid has performance enhancing effects, inappropriate and long term use can cause a host of damaging effects, many of which are long lasting and irreversible.