Flexion vs Injection

It is an undeniable claim that anabolic steroids have a negative impact on the user's health. As stated by the NIH, the use of anabolic steroids do NOT produce a "high" effect which makes them distinctive from other common drugs. The users develop a substance abuse disorder which causes them to continue using the drugs despite the negative effects that come with its use. Some of the common side effects of anabolic steroid use are, "Early heart attacks, strokes, liver tumors, kidney failure, and psychiatric problems. In addition, stopping use can cause depression, often leading to resumption of use" (NIH). These side effects are similar to drugs that are considered illegal in the US, so why is the double standard present between anabolic steroids and other dangerous street drugs?

The answer lies simply in the word -- perspective. Athletes are commended for their hard work and their developed physiques. In today's culture, it is common to see in social media, movies, and magazines men and women who have "dream bodies." These miracle pills/injections that promise to make your body look like you have spent your whole life living in the gym, are strangely and widely accepted in our culture as opposed to opioids, marijuana, heroin, etc.

It is not common in our culture, to see televised competitions of men and women smoking crack cocaine while being cheered on by thousands of spectators to see who is experiencing the "best high." On the contrary, bodybuilding competitions are full of spectators cheering on and judging bodybuilding individuals who use anabolic steroids to see who is worthy to win the trophy. In addition, some bodybuilders have teams consisting of coaches, trainers, etc that motivate bodybuilders to do whatever it takes to be the "best" and win. This idea begins affecting the users by engraving into their minds that they must achieve physical perfection, and the easiest way to do that is through steroids.

You don't necessarily have to be a professional bodybuilder competing locally or nationally to abuse these drugs. In our culture and especially for our fragile masculinity, as men, we have a history of determining who is the "alpha" of the pack based on their strength, and it is almost too obvious to see that anyone who appears "built" has a higher chance of dropping a brotha. It is thoughts like these that lead us to the use of anabolic drugs and "helps" many men or women feel more confident about their bodies. Society says, "Well, they're at least exercising and it is their body, so go for it!"

On the contrary, if you as much smelled like pot or had a bit of coke in your nose and went to a public area, you'd have the DEA on you in the blink of an eye.