Web MD article Most Steroid Users Are Not Athletes

[jb160]

Most Steroid Users Are Not Athletes
Survey Shows Typical User Isn't Motivated by Sports Performance
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDOct. 12, 2007 -- Contrary to popular belief, the typical anabolic steroid user is more like an "Average Joe" than a professional athlete or competitive teenager.

A new survey suggests that the typical anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) user is a well-educated 30-year-old male who wants to build muscles and strength and increase his physical attractiveness. Researchers say the results show the notion of the typical steroid user as a "cheating" athlete is inaccurate.

"These findings question commonly held views of typical AAS users and their underlying motivations," Rick Collins of Collins, McDonald & Gann, PC, in Carle Place, N.Y., says in a news release.

"The vast majority of AAS users are not athletes and hence, are not likely to view themselves as cheaters. The targeting of athletes through drug testing and other adolescent or sports-based interventions has no bearing on non-competitive adult users."

Typical Anabolic Steroid User Is Atypical
In the study, published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, researchers surveyed nearly 2,000 men about anabolic steroid use via the Internet. Researchers say they used the Internet in order to encourage men to participate by allowing them to remain anonymous.

The results showed that the average male anabolic steroid user is:

About 30 years old
Well-educated
Earns an above-average income in a white-collar job
In addition, the survey shows that most did not start using steroids in adolescence, nor are they motivated by athletic competition or sports performance.

Instead, the typical anabolic steroid user wants to increase muscle mass, strength, and physical attractiveness. Other motivating factors for taking anabolic steroids were increasing confidence, decreasing body fat, improving mood, and attracting a sexual partner.

Researchers found that men in this survey followed carefully planned drug regimens along with a healthy diet and exercise practices designed to maximize benefits and minimize harm.

"The users we surveyed consider that they are using directed drug technology as one part of a strategy for physical self-improvement within a health-centered lifestyle," says Collins. "Effective public policy should begin by accurately identifying who's using steroids and why."

 

[partagus]

Great article and I believe it. Thanks.

 

[needtogetaas]

Ya I think we all knew this long before they did.

 

[drsketch]

Regardless of whatever findings steroids will most likely never be OTC or declassified as a scheduled substance. Look at ecstasy, that doesnt hurt you at all but will never be declassified.

 

[Burpees]

Agreed, with the both the article and needto...

 

[Mavafanculo]

Regardless of whatever findings steroids will most likely never be OTC or declassified as a scheduled substance. Look at ecstasy, that doesnt hurt you at all but will never be declassified.

not to sidetrack, but X has been shown in many studies to be capable of permanent (or at least long-term) damage to mood, memory and cognitive ability with just a few doses in sensitive individuals, particularly females.

 

[drsketch]

not to sidetrack, but X has been shown in many studies to be capable of permanent (or at least long-term) damage to mood, memory and cognitive ability with just a few doses in sensitive individuals, particularly females.

I am not an expert in this field, however the studies the US govt posted on ecstasy were actually studies done on long term methamphetamine use not Methylenedioxymethamphetamine use. Of cource all of this was brushed under the table.

 

[Nelson Montana]

Regardless of whatever findings steroids will most likely never be OTC or declassified as a scheduled substance. Look at ecstasy, that doesnt hurt you at all but will never be declassified.

There's no such thing as a drug that can't hurt you, no less X.

Be careful. Statements like that make other statements about steroids seem less valid.

 

[1999TL]

Regardless of whatever findings steroids will most likely never be OTC or declassified as a scheduled substance. Look at ecstasy, that doesnt hurt you at all but will never be declassified.

I knew somebody had to have commented about this statement. Every drug has some sort of backlash, either permanent or not. Hell, it wouldn't be a drug if it didn't have any effects.

 

[drsketch]

There's no such thing as a drug that can't hurt you, no less X.

Be careful. Statements like that make other statements about steroids seem less valid.

This is really off tangent from the OP but ecstasy is a relatively safe substance leaving no permanent long standing effects after prolonged discontinued use. Uncle Sam demonized it after he found out "OMG Americans are taking something thats making them feel good and having lustful dance & sex parties"

Thursday, January 3, 2008
Drugs Ecstasy: Safer than Aspirin?

posted by Dominic Holden on January 3 at 13:40 PM

There’s a big debate in the UK right now over the risks of taking ecstasy. The Chief Constable of North Wales, Richard Brunstrom, told BBC’s Radio 4 last week, “Ecstasy is a remarkably safe substance – it’s far safer than aspirin. If you look at the Government’s own research into deaths you’ll find that Ecstasy, by comparison to many other substances – legal and illegal – it is comparably a safe substance.” Politicians and an anti-drug group have called for his resignation, claiming that there is no safe dose. Meanwhile, cops have backed up Brunstrom’s position.

As someone who’s taken both ecstasy and aspirin, though, I disagree with the ecstasy-is-safer-than-aspirin claim. Granted, lots of people die from anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin (about 7,600 in the US in 2000). While there are no reliable stats for ecstasy deaths in the US, there are certainly fewer. (UPDATE: David Wright points out in comments that Brunstrom’s comparison is statistically flawed: “Even if death is the only danger under consideration, the relevant statistic is not the number of deaths, it’s the number of deaths divided by the number of doses.” Agreed, David.)

And what about the drugs’ impacts on people who don’t die?

Second worse to taking ecstasy and dying has got to be taking ecstasy and living. The serotonin depletion that follows the high is enough to make a joyologist despondent for a week. It also causes dehydration and increases the risk of heat exhaustion. Aspirin just doesn’t have those effects.

And if anyone doubts that ecstasy can be fatal, check out the feature I wrote for this week’s issue. It’s a sad story. It covers how one person died after taking a relatively small dose of ecstasy but how fear of punitive drug policies may have prevented friends from saving her life.

 

[C Manson]

Regardless of whatever findings steroids will most likely never be OTC or declassified as a scheduled substance. Look at ecstasy, that doesnt hurt you at all but will never be declassified.

No offence pal,but you dont know what your talking about with regards to ecstasy,my best friend is still in a secure hospital from talking way to much of that shit,trust me it can really fuck you up.

 

[drsketch]

talking way to much of that shit,trust me it can really fuck you up.

Key word pal - taking way too much.

Me and a large group of friends took ecstasy every weekend from 98-01 and I and all of them are a-ok..

Also PAL - was your friend taking pure mdma capsules? or some shit from a pill press with a pretty little picture on it with some coctail of bullshit pressed into it.. You can't press pure mdma pal.

k, thx for stopping by.

 

[celltechguy]

I am not an expert in this field, however the studies the US govt posted on ecstasy were actually studies done on long term methamphetamine use not Methylenedioxymethamphetamine use. Of cource all of this was brushed under the table.

Yes. Big no brainer. I guess its a surprise though to the know it alls in the media. I use because I simply love to lift, and I feel I deserve to get the best results possible for sacrificing my time in the gym. I also cannot get the same results naturally..... Well not on a similar budget anyway. Food costs enough. I think to see similar results naturally I would need to spend around $1,000 a MONTH vs the $600 ish a YEAR I spend for gear.

 

[DannoMight]

Not ot go off base here but I personally have taken a good share of X and there isn't much positive for quite a few days after a hard night(s) of rolling you balls off.

 

[eddymerckx]

not to sidetrack, but X has been shown in many studies to be capable of permanent (or at least long-term) damage to mood, memory and cognitive ability with just a few doses in sensitive individuals, particularly females.

marriage can do the same thing

 

[sugashane]

Good find. The average person who knows nothing of steroids would probably say the poll was fixed.