Use and abuse of steroids
Studies have shown anabolic steroid users tend to be mostly middle class heterosexual men with a median age of 27. Most users do not compete in any sports. Anabolic steroid users often are stereotyped as uneducated or ‘muscle heads’ by popular media and culture however studies on steroid users have shown them to be the most educated drug users out of all users of controlled drugs.[37] Anabolic steroid users also tend to research the drugs they are taking more than any other group of users of controlled substances. Moreover anabolic steroid users tend to be disillusioned by the portrayal of anabolic steroids as “deadly” in the media and in politics.[38]
Anabolic steroids have been used by men and women in many different kinds of professional sports (cricket, track and field, weightlifting, bodybuilding, shot put, cycling, baseball, wrestling, mixed martial arts, boxing, football, etc.) to attain a competitive edge or to assist in recovery from injury. Steroids used to obtain competitive advantage are prohibited by the rules of the governing bodies of many sports.
Anabolic steroid use also seems to occur among adolescents especially by those in sports. It has been suggested that the prevalence of use among High school students in the United States may be as high as 2.7%.[39] Male students used more than female students and those who participated in sports used more often than those who did not on average.
It is extremely difficult to determine what percent of the population in general have actually used anabolic steroids, but the number seems to be fairly low. The demographics of steroid users tend to be mostly males between the ages 15-25 and noncompetitive bodybuilders and non-athletes who use for cosmetic reasons.[40]
^ Eastley, Tony (Jan 18 2006). Steroid study debunks user stereotypes. abc.net.au. Retrieved on February 24, 2007.
^ Tanner, SM; Miller DW, Alongi C (1995). “Anabolic steroid use by adolescents: prevalence, motives, and knowledge of risks.”. Clin J Sport Med. 5 (2): 108-115. PMID 2199753. Retrieved on 2006-11-24.
^ Andrew, Parkinson; Nick A. Evans (2006). “Anabolic Androgenic Steroids: A Survey of 500 Users”. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 38 (4): 644-651. Retrieved on 2006-11-24.
