The use of steroids in view of the NHS

Nick500

In response to my sister wanting some information on what people thought about steroid usage particularly in the South Wales area and generally, I wrote her this short article.

Was wondering if anybody had any thoughts about the same sort of subject....

The use of anabolic steroids is widespread in bodybuilding circles, both in a competitive and non-competitive arena. Problems exist when users are not fully educated in the sciences behind the use of these and related substances (such as Human Growth Hormone, Insulin, and dangerous thermogenics like T3, DNP and Clenbuterol).

The sciences behind these substances must be fully understood before use and the problem that exists mostly in gyms around the UK including South Wales is the misuse of these substances, be it through inappopriate dosage, length of use or unsuitable candidate.

Gyms have dealers just like on the street, who will push anabolic steroids and these other substances to users who have no idea of the importance of being fully knowledgable in the use of these drugs before taking the plunge.

A particular concern is when these are being pushed onto teenagers, who's HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis) can be significantly shutdown and effected by the use of exogenous testosterone, interfering with puberty. In conclusion, the use of anabolic steroids (not to be confused with misuse) should be confined to those who's sport absolutely demands it (i.e. the competitive bodybuilding stage, where 100% of competitors use them), or/and who absolutely understand the science behind the compounds and their side effects. The NHS should not be seen as a safety net to handle these self-induced problems.

PScarb

very good Nick but i think it should be mentioned that the use of anabolic steroids in the bodybuilding arena is not fully understood by the medical proffesion this in its self to lack of understanding and knowledge by the young guys who take them.

Squatty

Good piece Nick. I dont think the public perception (and that includes the medical profession) will ever significantly change. An informed decision, with all the other components of a good programme (diet etc) in place does not equate to misuse. However, the popular opinion that any use of gear equals misuse fills more column inches and is much more politically correct.

Right, I can get off my soapbox now

c8rsa

Thats a very good post. Think you have it all down there and i totally agree.

Extreme

Did you know a GP only studies drugs for 6 months out of his 4 year degree? Is it any wonder our first port of call for the NHS is so negative about hormonal manipulation - he doesn't know a thing about it, its not part of his 6 months pharmacology. This is why they buy into the media nonsense.

I think as we do pay for the NHS they are entitled to assist if someone hits problems, do you leave a guy at the side of the road because he fell off his R1 for going too fast? Do you leave Jenson Button in his csar to frazzle because he knew the risks? Do we leave Aileen McCarthy at sea because single handedly sailing roind the world is dumber than taking gear from a safety standpoint? I could go on all night.

Just as smokers, drinkers, footballers with broken bits are entitled to treatment, so are we irrespective of how the problems have come about.