The nonmedical use of anabolic steroids raises more ethical and moral issues. Engaging in steroids use is illegal. Moreover, supplies, which are often illegally manufactured and do not meet established standards, may be contaminated. Athletes who use these drugs are cheating. They gain an unfair advantage over opponents and violate the ban on steroids imposed by most major sports organizations.
Early signs point to addictive patterns among users.
At the very least, users demonstrate an unwillingness to give up anabolic steroids even in the face of possibly dire consequences to their health. For those already hooked, kicking the steroids habit is the best chance to escape devastating side effects. For potential users, the solution, of course, is to never take the drug at all. There are other ways to be a winner athletically and socially without harming health and without cheating. This document was provided by the National Institutes of Health .