Drug use among athletes has become a common action. Many athletes have or still use performance-enhancing drugs. Not all of these drugs are illegal. In fact, many of these products are available at nutrition stores or on the Internet (Lurie 2). Performance-enhancing drugs are used to give athletes an edge. Whether this edge is in competition or in self-esteem, consequences play no part. Why would any athlete disregard consequences and consider using performance-enhancing drugs? For many, the possibility of unlimited gains is enough reason to justify disregard to consequences and use of drugs.

Since the 1950’s athletes have been using steroids. In the past two decades more drugs have become available. These new drugs produce similar results to those of anabolic steroids. Both increase testosterone, which is a hormone that increases muscle size and strength in the user. Steroids are taken orally in a pill form or taken by injection. The most common new drug is creatine. Creatine is taken in liquid form by mouth or in a powder form, which is mixed with water or juice and drank. Creatine and steroids have been the hot topics in most athletic fields. All professional sports l

There are many drawbacks to taking steroids or creatine. Since steroids have been around longer, there is more knowledge about their effects than those of creatine. Steroids “have a large number of side effects: liver disease and jaundice, acne, breast development, violent mood changes, depression, tendon rupture, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, decreased sperm count, and atrophy of the testicles” (Boyle 24). “Some athletes have given up sports entirely or even committed suicide once they stopped using steroids” (Tuttle 4). Creatine is a newer drug and less is known about its side effects. Some of the known side effects are dehydration, muscle cramps, and kidney trouble (Boyle 24).

eagues in the United States have banned steroids and some similar drugs. The International Olympic Committee has also banned steroids and similar drugs. The IOC conducts drug tests to ensure that no athlete has an unfair advantage. Even though the professional leagues in America have banned these drugs, most do not conduct testing. This lack of oversight has allowed many of the American athletes to gain an edge in their particular sport. Professional athletes are not the only people using these drugs. Many young adults are introduced to these drugs by their adolescent years. An adolescent child may use these drugs to enhance his performance in a sport or use these drugs to gain confidence in his appearance. Most young athletes have heard of steroids, know someone using steroids, or have used steroids by the time they reach high school.

Other than becoming bigger, stronger, and faster, and with known side effects, why would an athlete still ponder the question of taki

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