Posts Tagged steroid use

Verdict In for Barry Bonds: Guilty of Obstruction of Justice

Posted by Drug Free in Steroid Abuse on April 14th, 2011

Yes, the judicial system has finally bestowed a ruling upon one of baseball’s most controversial players, Barry Bonds. On Wednesday, the jury convicted Bonds for obstruction of justice when he swore he did not know performance-enhancing drugs were introduced into his system at the time when he was at his career’s peak.

Barry BondsBonds’ records in baseball has put him as the league’s all-time home-run leader; hitting 762 home runs in the course of his 22-year career in the game with a whopping 73 in 2001. While some may be in awe of what he accomplished, it somehow put others in doubt resulting to a validation of what he has achieved ultimately leading him into court.

The obstruction of justice was the strongest case against him, among the other charges filed such as the three counts of perjury. According to a feature on Yahoo Sports, the jury decided he intentionally misled people when he said his trainer never injected him with any performance-enhancing drugs (saying that the only person to inject him with anything is his doctor) and tried to convince them that he is a victim of some scientific experiments. He added that the ambitious people who held his career at that time were the ones to be blamed for what he has been through.

The verdict on Bonds brings us to the question of what this development can do for both the league and the government agencies involved. Eight years ago, Bonds testified he never used any drug to help him beat out competition, at least not on his knowledge. Today, he is convicted, yet we get the same stories over and over again.

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Short and Long Term Effects of Anabolic Steroid Abuse

Posted by Drug Free in Steroid Abuse on April 27th, 2010

Sports celebrities have been plagued with stories and rumors of steroid abuse. Athletes give out their best performances every time, but some athletes find their best not good enough. But instead of trying harder, giving more time for practice, learning new strategies and modifying game plans, some athletes go for the easier route — use steroids.

steroidsWhile steroids are useful to males experiencing abnormally low amounts of testosterone as well as to people suffering from osteoporosis and AIDS, many use it to increase muscle and bone mass to improve performance in competitive sports.

However, the abuse of anabolic steroids has its consequences, which are more dangerous for teens whose bodies are still developing.

Short- term effects include acne, hostility and aggression. Males can experience shrunken testicles, hair loss, difficulty or pain in urinating, increased risk of prostate cancer, and development of breasts. Females can experience decreased body fat and breast size, changes in the menstrual cycle, excessive growth of body and facial hair, male-pattern baldness, and a deepened voice.

Long-term effects include severe acne, fluid retention, high blood pressure, increased risk of blood clotting, increase in bad cholesterol, decrease in good cholesterol, jaundice, liver cysts and cancer, and kidney cancer.

Since steroids are often administered through injection, there is also an increased risk of acquiring hepatitis and HIV from the use of unsterile needles or syringes.

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Steroids: Why It’s Just Not Worth It

Posted by Drug Free in Steroid Abuse on February 8th, 2010

Steroid use is a rampant threat that hovers above the head of many athletes nowadays. Known to elicit fast results, steroids have been used by athletes to enhance performance, improve body physique, and boost recovery. Sure, it does sound very enticing. Who wouldn’t want an easy way to a better you or me, right?

steroidsThe truth about what steroids use does for you is this: it speeds up your own body in a pace where you can’t keep up. Eventually your body gives in, showing side effects that aren’t really worth it. Steroids only enhance physical performance in a short-term. Shooting up will give you up to a few years of great physical performance, but it will eventually leave you with complications that are very costly, ranging from a depressed immune system to a failed liver or kidney.

Being an athlete means you always will yourself to train harder, move faster and be better at what you do. You can’t really escape the fact that most of the athletes out there try their very hardest to do more than what they can already do. Baseball players want to get more home runs, track runners want a faster finish; all of the athletes want to be better and that’s pretty normal. What’s not normal is when they use performance-enhancing drugs to improve athletic performance, at the expense of their body. They shoot up; putting their careers, credibility and honor as athletes on the line for a quick remedy – that’s definitely not normal or even wise.

Taking steroids is taking the easy way, and sometimes, the more costly way to the finish line. It is important to remember that the reason great athletes are the way they are is because of good old-fashioned hard-work and discipline, and not because of any needle or pill.

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How to Spot a Steroid Abuser

Posted by Drug Free in Steroid Abuse on February 7th, 2010

Using anabolic steroids is a dangerous and misguided measure to tap into the body’s potential. If your relative or friend is an athlete, it is wise to be knowledgeable about the dangers of steroid abuse. Do not take steroid use lightly; it is extremely risky and may cause severe damages to one’s body, and in some cases, even death. Watch out for these most common signs that indicate steroid abuse.

steroid abusePhysical changes are the most obvious and easy to spot signs, especially when dealing with novice users. Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin due to the damage to one’s liver, is an indication of abusive steroid use. Due to the steroid’s effect on a person’s hormones, gynocomastia, or an uncharacteristic excessive development of breast tissue in males, is also a clear sign to watch out for.

Other obvious physical changes are acne formations, persistent bad breath, excessive hair loss, skin infections such as abscesses and cysts, rapid or progressive weight gain, abnormal muscle growth, hyperactivity and discoloration or blood in urine.

Be wary of personality and psychological changes that happen out of the blue. Mood swings and increased aggression or irritability is a common sign of steroid use. Because of the irregularity of the hormones in the body, users have been known to become disrespectful or abusive, either verbally or physically to authority or peers, causing severe spurts of anger or lashing out. More severe mental illnesses on record are hallucinations, paranoia and depression.

If ever these signs and symptoms are evident to someone you know, never hesitate to exercise your responsibility as a friend or relative to try to prevent any more harm.

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