The 10 weeks are up again and David has to make the decision again.

His first round was planned, and the second time he just found a good deal, he said. A third cycle of anabolic steroids could be classified as an addiction, but David is confident that this time, he can achieve his ideal body type without the steroids.

David, a criminology junior, is an otherwise average college student who uses steroids. He is from a suburb just north of Dallas and has recently completed his second 10-week cycle of testosterone-based anabolic steroids. David played ice hockey and football while in high school, but only started using steroids his freshman year at OU.

David is not his real name; he wished to remain anonymous due to legal issues.

"I wasn't genetically built to be big, but I still had a body type I wanted," David said. "It wasn't like I was doing it to be cool. It was a personal choice I made, pressure from myself."

Athletes may take steroids to become better at their sports, but others say they use to enhance their body image.

There are currently $400 million circulating in the steroid black market, according to steroids.org. Recent steroid hype in the media has people uneasy about decisions by their sports heroes. This issue has gotten so large that the Weekly Reader, a small informational magazine distributed to middle schools throughout the U.S., featured steroids in "Juiced: Squeezing Steroids From Baseball."

The National Institute on Drug Abuse stated that one of the main reasons people use steroids is to gain muscle or reduce body fat. A recent research report conducted by the NIDA labeled steroid users as having a behavioral syndrome called muscle dysmorphia.

"A person has a distorted image of his or her body. Men with this condition think that they look small and weak, even if they are large and muscular," the report stated.

Steroid usage has increased among high school students, and studies have shown that many of those students will continue to use steroids throughout their lives. There is currently $400 million circulating in the steroid black market, according to steroids.org.

Anabolic steroid use in 10th-graders went from 2.0 percent in 1998, to 2.7 percent in 1999, according to the NIDA's Monitoring the Future study. This study followed these students from their first time using steroids in the 10th grade and to their use through high school, college and beyond.

Dr. Sarah Moore, director of psychological resources for OU student-athletes, supported the NIDA's theory.

"This is a psychological disorder where the individual exhibits excessive preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance that results in significant stress or problems in daily life," Moore said in an e-mail.

Similar to the way eating disorders are rarely just about food or even about being fat, chronic steroid use is often not really about the body, she said.

But no matter the reason, steroid use is still taboo.

"Oh, hell no, my family doesn't know," David said. "All my friends know it's not something I personally keep secret, but most people keep it from their friends. Guys don't like to talk about it because people don't respect you enough if you achieved muscle through steroids."

Chelsea Neece, criminology junior, said she has mixed feelings about steroid usage from her contact with people on steroids.

"If somebody takes steroids just to get big muscles, that is a huge turn-off," Neece said. "It's sad that people have to resort to injecting themselves with drugs because they are too vain." On the other hand, I understand that some people need steroids for medical reasons."

Bill Fuson, business management sophomore, took steroids when he was 15 years old for mosquito bites.

"I don't remember much," Fuson said. "There were mosquito bites all over my body. The drug was a mixture of Cortisone, antibiotic and some kind of steroid. I do remember experiencing some hot flashes."

Mark Floyd, owner of Downtown Fitness in Norman, discourages his clients from using steroids.

"The physical gain does not outweigh the emotional strain that comes with steroids," Floyd said. "The side effects are too numerous."

Dr. Stan Beavers, family practitioner in Oklahoma City, said any amount of steroid use could be detrimental to overall health.

"It baffles me how many people are willing to damage their bodies for a lifetime for momentary results," Beavers said.

Steroids can also have effects on users that are not physical.

Dawn Singleton, a Norman therapist, has treated couples and individuals who dealt with the effects of steroids.

"Steroid use causes mood swings, depression and outbursts of anger with and without violence," Singleton said. "Side effects are also acne, impotence and testicular shrinkage. In addition, people who use them often become self-absorbed."

David said he didn't observe much of a psychological change while on steroids.

"During using I had an increased appetite," he said. "A couple of times I got short with people, but I feel that was just the situation. I didn't notice any changes until after I got off. Nothing physically destructive. It emotionally threw me off."

Some of David's friends had used steroids before, so he didn't think there was much risk involved.

"I had friends who had done it before and done it safely. So, I didn't feel there was really much of a risk. "When you know people who are doing it and have done it several times, you feel more comfortable in doing it," he said. "Knowing people who are doing it makes it easier."

Steroids may cause irreversible hormone changes, stunted growth, the development of cardiovascular diseases, liver tumors and skin abnormalities, according to the NIDA research report. The report also warns about the non-sterile conditions that steroids may be manufactured and distributed in.

"From the case reports, the incidence of life-threatening effects appears to be low, but serious adverse effects may be under-recognized or under-reported," the report stated.

In particular, teens are at risk for accelerated puberty and skeletal maturation which leads to irreversible growth, according to the oumedcenter.com Web site.

Political issues

Because many people look at professional and college athletes as role models, government members and school officials are seeking more regulation of steroid use among athletes.

State Rep. Thad Balkman, R-Norman, said he will file a bill next year that would require punishments for students who test positive for steroids. As of now, there are no state laws regarding steroid use so punishment is dealt with locally.

"The reason I am so interested in steroid abuse is because I'm a big sports fan," he said. "Athletes cheating worry me and the example they set for the youth."

Moore said protecting college students from steroid use starts at the high school level.

"We must do a better job of protecting high school students from themselves in regard to steroid use. In doing so, we have a chance at preventing ongoing use in college and beyond," Moore said.

Frank Thompson, Norman Public Schools athletic director, said the school system does not require steroid testing.

"We do not have a policy, but it is one of the things we are looking into. Right now, the issue falls to the individual coach," Thompson said.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association, the organization that governs college athletic programs, requires education about illegal drugs for athletes. Any use of a substance banned by the NCAA may be cause for loss of eligibility, according to the NCAA official Web site, www.2.ncaa.org.

"Before the seasons, we had our trainer speak to us about steroids and other drugs," said Jacob Gutierrez, social studies education junior and member of the OU football team.

Kenny Mossman, associate athletic director for communications, said that at OU, if an athlete is tested positive for steroids they lose their eligibility for a year.

But once an athlete starts using, it's often hard to quit.

Beavers said people who have used steroids and deny wanting to use again are in psychological denial.

"Use it once and you'll do it again," Dr. Beavers said. "People are too fascinated with the results to stop. The results are substantial, but also fatal in many cases."

Singleton said steroids are the most addicting drug on the market.

"Because the results with steroids (visually) are so quick in coming, people become very addicted to them," Singleton said.

But David said he doesn't plan on taking another shot.

"I wouldn't have a moral issue with doing it again. I just think I can reach the goal I want to hit naturally," he said.
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