Athletes and Performance-Enhancing Drugs
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 leagues 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.
What does any of this have to do with the decision of an athlete to take drugs? An athlete may choose to take drugs to excel in his sport or gain an edge over competitors. “Drugs build strength and endurance, increase weight, speed recovery from muscle injury, and improve performance” (Boyle 24). Some athletes claim that they considered taking performance enhancers because of the possibility of getting bigger, stronger, and faster (Gilliam; Hubble; Smith). What does being bigger, stronger, or faster have to do with an athlete? Everything. There is a point in every athlete’s career when he wishes that he could be better at his sport. Performance enhancing drugs allow the athlete hope of getting better. “Many people are looking for that special pill that will make a difference in their sport” (Tuttle 92). If a drug can help an athlete get an edge, why not take it?
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).
Other than becoming bigger, stronger, and faster, and with known side effects, why would an athlete still ponder the question of taking drugs? Pressure is the other main reason for an athlete to consider performance-enhancing drugs. You can break pressure down into three main categories: coaches and parents, peer, and self. When an athlete prepares to train for his sport, coaches often bring up steroids. The coach is implying that steroids will make you better. This scenario occurs frequently throughout high schools and colleges in the United States. Peer pressure is a constant battle that everyone faces everyday. In the athletic fields peer pressure surrounds the athletes at all times. This peer pressure causes an athlete to want to achieve more. Self-pressure if usually the toughest pressure to deal with. “Athletes by their very own natures are impatient. They not only want it all, they want it now” (Tuttle 6). Self-pressure causes the athlete to push himself to higher levels. When the athlete cannot reach his goal or level, drugs cross his mind. Thinking that the drugs will help him achieve his goal, he considers use.
There are three other ways to look at the pressure: the athlete versus other athletes, the athlete versus himself, and the athlete versus the future. The athlete is almost always in competition with other athletes. This may cause him to put more pressure on himself. By putting more pressure on himself, he is ultimately facing the athlete versus himself. The athlete versus himself is closely related to the athlete versus the future. When thinking of the future you tend to believe that you will not be good enough compared to the rise in talent. Even when thinking of money, the athlete faces the future. All of these are forces that can cause an athlete to force unnecessary pressure upon himself. This illustration of self-pressure could be a reason for an athlete to consider using drugs.
Athletes face many temptations. Drugs happen to be the biggest issue. Drugs play a part in every athlete’s life, regardless of whether they are users. Life as an athlete is a constant battle. Everyone tries to be the best, even if it requires drug use. Performance-enhancing drugs are proven to work. If you think otherwise, look at Mark McGwire. Mark McGwire is a professional baseball player who caught heat on his use of a supplemental steroid, Androstenedione (Teenage 1). This heat from the media came after he broke a thirty-two year-old homerun record in the major leagues. Ask yourself one question. If drugs can do that to Mark McGwire, what will they do for me? As an athlete, you have a one-track mindset when you answer this question. The answer is unknown, but your success is also unknown.
Performance-enhancing drugs are on the market to help athletes succeed. Many athletes disregard warnings or side effects of these drugs, just to become better. An athlete may consider drugs because of the possible gains he may encounter. Drugs are not new to sports. Drugs have actually increased performance in most athletes for many years. This increase in performance has become the center of entertainment in this new age. Drugs will remain a constant decision among athletes. Athletes will be surrounded by positive and negative influences about drugs. It is the athlete’s own choice. What is yours?





Works Cited
Boyle, Daniel J. Sports Medicine for Parents and Coaches. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 1999.
Gilliam, Corry. Personal Interview. 10 February 2001.
Hubble, Kirk. Personal Interview. 10 February 2001.
Lurie, Mike. “Teens’ use of performance-enhancing drugs on rise, cause for concern.” CBS SportsLine 19 November 1999. 10 February 2001
.
Smith, Brad. Personal Interview. 10 February 2001.
“Teenage athletes and performance-enhancing drugs: strength vs. safety.” 4 December 1998. 10 February 2001 .
Tuttle, Dave. Forever Natural: How to Excel in Sports Drug-Free. Venice, California: Iron Books, 1990.

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