Doping Controversy Has More Ramifications

With the latest accusations, discoveries and discussions surrounding professional athletes, a look deeper into the fabric of society is warranted.

Since the 1950s, some athletes have been taking anabolic steroids to build muscle and boost their athletic performance. Increasingly, other segments of the population also have been taking these compounds.  In 2000, 1.4% of young adults (19-28) reported using steroids at least one time in their lives, accounting for millions in our population.

Studies show that, over time, anabolic steroids can indeed take a heavy toll on a person\s health. The abuse of oral or injectable steroids is associated with higher risks for heart attacks and strokes, and the abuse of most oral steroids is associated with increased risk for liver problems. Steroid abusers who share needles or use non-sterile techniques when they inject steroids are at risk for contracting dangerous infections, such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C.

Due to last year's disclosure to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency that caused quite an ongoing controversy, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) soon banned the substance tetrahydrogestrinone (THG).  THG is reportedly used by athletes to improve their performance and has similar qualities to synthetic steroids and is under further investigation.

Some claim that performance-enhancing substances and the many products sold in nutrition stores as precursors to muscle building are legitimate and even healthy.  Another argument is that it provides an unfair advantage to athletes that use them in that it is a chemical alteration.

Regardless of whether it is right or wrong, there are plenty of documented health risks and side effects associated with steroids.  In addition to this, and possibly a much greater risk is the abuse and addiction potential, possibly leading to or combined with other drugs as well.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), an undetermined percentage of steroid abusers become addicted to the drugs, as evidenced by their continuing to take steroids in spite of physical problems, negative effects on social relations, or nervousness and irritability. Also, they spend large amounts of time and money obtaining the drugs and experience withdrawal symptoms such as mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, reduced sex drive, and the desire to take more steroids. The most dangerous of the withdrawal symptoms is depression, because it sometimes leads to suicide attempts.

Another aspect of professional athletes using illegal substances is the negative impact it can have on our nation's youth.  Seeing role models artificially enhancing themselves for increased performance, condoning use of drugs such as marijuana or even simply saying that they have a right to not be tested for using illicit drugs represents a bad example for our children.  It can act as a built-in justifier, "So and so does it, and look where he (or she) is."  For the sake of our future, the last thing we need is to make it look okay for our children to do drugs.

When dealing with addiction, to steroids or any other drugs, it is important to handle the situation without using more chemicals that alter the body.  Though it sounds simple, too many treatment programs assign addiction the label of being a brain disease and therefore attempt to treat the problem with more drugs to "restore balance." 
There is one program however, now in 37 countries and rapidly expanding due to its effectiveness, that doesn't use any drugs to get people off drugs.  It is called the Narconon Drug Rehabilitation and Education program and is based on drug-free rehabilitation methodology developed by L. Ron Hubbard.

Narconon Arrowhead is the largest center in the international Narconon network, and according to an Arrowhead spokesperson, "We do see a number of people that have become addicted to stimulants such as cocaine, crack and methamphetamine as a result of their steroid use.  No matter the substance, a person's body recognizes it as a toxin, yet residues store in the fatty tissue for many years and must be effectively removed to discontinue the adverse effects of them."

The fact that the residues store in the body was a discovery made by Hubbard, who also developed a remedy that is used by Narconon called the New Life Detoxification Program.  Using a dry heat sauna, exercise, vitamins, minerals and cold-pressed oils, the body is purged of all the old toxic residues and restored to an optimal state of health.  This procedure is highly effective and ultimately eliminates physical cravings for the drugs.
Drugs are essentially poisons.  The amount taken determines the effect.  We are all much better off in the long run without these poisons in our body.

To find out more information about drugs or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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