One of the main reasons people give for abusing steroids is to improve their athletic performance. Among athletes, anecdotal information suggests that abuse is more widespread than the currently estimated 6 percent. Although testing procedures are in place to deter steroid abuse among professionals and Olympic athletes, new designer drugs that can escape detection constantly become available and allow those athletes prone to their use to stay one step ahead of the testing efforts. New methods and new technology, however, create a high probability of the eventual detection of these newer drugs and coupled with possible sanctions, should make athletes think carefully about their decision to use them.
Another reason given by abusers is to increase their muscle size and to reduce their body fat. This group also includes people suffering from the behavioral syndrome called muscle dysmorphia, which causes them to have a distorted image of their bodies. Men with this disorder think they look small and weak and women think they look fat and flabby.
An interesting note is that studies have shown that some people who abuse steroids to boost muscle size sometimes have a history of physical or sexual abuse. In one series of interviews, 25 percent of male weightlifters interviewed reported memories of childhood physical or sexual abuse. Similarly, female weightlifters who had been raped were found to be twice as likely to report use of anabolic steroids or another purported muscle building drug compared with than those who had not been abused. Almost all who had been victimized reported that they believed being bigger and stronger would discourage further attacks because men would find them either unattractive or intimidating.
Finally, some adolescents abuse steroids as part of a pattern of high-risk behaviors. These adolescents also engage in other high risk beaviors such as drinking and driving, carrying a gun, driving a motorcycle without a helmet, and abusing other illicit drugs. Conditions such as muscle dysmorphia, a history of physical or sexual abuse, or a history of engaging in high risk behaviors have all been associated with an increased risk of initiating or continuing steroid abuse.
