Inside a steroid ‘brewing’ and supply operation in South-West England: An ‘ethnographic narrative case study’

Turnock, Luke A.

doi:10.1016/j.peh.2019.100152

Cited by 15 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Anabolic compounds used in the manufacture of AAS are distributed from countries that have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including China and India ( 34 , 35 ), meaning that disruption in the AAS supply chain is therefore highly likely. In turn, disruptions in AAS supply may alter AAS procurement and patterns of use, forcing some athletes to prematurely terminate AAS use, potentially increasing the likelihood of developing mental health issues associated with AAS withdrawal [e.g., depressive mood, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and loss of libido ( 22 , 36 )].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Male Strength Athletes Who Use Non-prescribed Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

2021

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Background: One sub-population potentially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are strength athletes who use anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). We examined links between disruption in AAS use and training due to the pandemic and mental health outcomes in this population, hypothesising: (a) the pandemic would be linked with reduced training and AAS use; and (b) athletes perceiving greater impact on their training and AAS use would report increases in detrimental mental health outcomes.Methods: Male strength athletes using AAS (N = 237) from 42 countries completed an online questionnaire in May 2020. A sub-sample (N = 90) from 20 countries participated again 4 months later. The questionnaire assessed pre-pandemic and current AAS use and training, alongside several mental health outcomes.Results: At Time 1, most participants perceived an impact of the pandemic on AAS use (91.1%) and/or training (57.8%). Dependent t-tests demonstrated significant reductions in training frequency (t = 7.78; p < 0.001) and AAS dose (t = 6.44; p < 0.001) compared to pre-pandemic. Linear regression showed the impact of the pandemic on training was a significant positive predictor of excessive body checking (B = 0.35) and mood swings (B = 0.26), and AAS dose was a significant positive predictor of anxiety (B = 0.67), insomnia (B = 0.52), mood swings (B = 0.37). At Time 2, fewer participants perceived an impact of the pandemic on AAS use (29.9%) and/or training (66.7%) than at Time 1. Training frequency (t = 3.02; p < 0.01) and AAS dose (t = 2.11; p < 0.05) were depressed in comparison to pre-pandemic. However, AAS dose had increased compared to Time 1 (t = 2.11; p < 0.05). Linear regression showed the impact of the pandemic on training/AAS use did not significantly predict any mental-health outcomes. However, AAS dose was a significant negative predictor of depressive thoughts (B = −0.83) and mood swings (B = −2.65).Conclusion: Our findings showed impact of the pandemic on the training and AAS use, reflected in reduced training frequency and AAS dose. However, whilst we detected some short-term consequential effects on mental health, these did not appear to be long-lasting.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Male Strength Athletes Who Use Non-prescribed Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

2021

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“…The most potent means of achieving this is to employ ‘independent’ sponsored athletes to market on behalf of the lab on social media. This arrangement echoes the licit phenomena of the social media influencer (Marwick 2015 ; Lawrence 2022 ) wherein prominent users are selected as brand ambassadors, promoting certain brands in exchange for ‘freebies’ (Turnock 2020 ). It should be noted here that sponsored athletes are distinct from UGL representatives as, whilst both of these actors operate on behalf of their underground labs, brand ambassadors are not involved in the actual sale of illicit products and instead function to offer advice, guidance, and promotion.…”

Section: Underground Laboratory Marketing Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…Before presenting an overview of the supply-side of the market however, it is worth considering the production of IPEDs. According to Turnock ( 2020 ), most anabolics steroids in the UK are produced in domestic ‘underground labs’ (UGLs) (Coomber et al 2015 ), with raw powders imported from ‘producer’ countries like China, Egypt, Greece, Thailand, Turkey, and India (Antonopoulos and Hall 2016 ; Brennan et al 2018 ; Llewellyn and Tober 2010; Denham 2019 ). Underground labs can be defined as illicit operations where IPEDs, most commonly anabolics androgenic steroids, are produced from these imported powders outside of registered pharmaceutical manufacture.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

#Sponseredathlete: the marketing of image and performance enhancing drugs on Facebook and Instagram

Gibbs

2023

Trends Organ Crim

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This article sets out to investigate the marketing of image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs) on the social media platforms Facebook and Instagram. Drawing upon a ‘connective’ ethnographic exploration of IPED use and supply, the paper first outlines a supplier typology on these platforms, before shedding light on the marketing strategies employed by sellers in order to overcome the inherent distrust of online sales and build a trustworthy brand. Techniques identified include athlete sponsorship, the sharing of bodybuilding fitspiration content, self-objectification, posting images showcasing transformation photos and customer feedback, and seasonal sales and promotions. Analysis encompasses the centrality of product branding, the overlaps between licit and illicit market advertising strategies, and the affordances of the platforms under study. Finally, conclusions relating to the implications of these findings to scholarship, policy, and regulation are offered.

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“…One paper focused specifically onthose solely taking oral AAS and associated drugs [ 66 ], two papers examined the relationshipbetween supplements IPED use [ 67 , 68 ], whilethe role of concomitant psychoactive drugs was emphasised as a cause for concern in one paper [ 7 ]. Six outputs provided accounts of the ease of availability and affordability of drugs within a dynamic IPED market [ 56 , 69 – 73 ], with the internet playing an important role with a significant market crossover with other drug using populations [ 74 – 77 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is especially pertinent in relation BBV services [ 28 , 31 , 119 , 126 , 131 , 132 ] and sexual health services [ 31 ], including men who have sex with men and women who have sex with women [ 101 ]. We also need to gain a better understanding of the supply and distribution of IPED, the role of the internet, potential for a more regulated market and the harms caused by the illicit market [ 6 , 7 , 15 , 63 , 69 , 73 – 75 ]. The overarching them in relation to identified research gaps and recommended focus of attention is the evaluation of interventions to identify cost-effective demand reduction and harm reduction solutions [ 104 , 105 , 107 , 111 , 128 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Generating evidence on the use of Image and performance enhancing drugs in the UK: results from a scoping review and expert consultation by the Anabolic Steroid UK network

et al. 2021

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Background The use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and associated image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs) is now a global phenomenon. There is a need to develop evidence to support the development of interventions to prevent the commencement of use, to minimise the potential harms or to support those in their cessation of use. While the United Kingdom (UK) is no exception to this issue, its public health and legislative response to the phenomenon differs to other countries and requires the examination of research specific to the UK. Therefore, a scoping review has been conducted to examine the recent relevant literature to help inform the development and evaluation of effective interventions to reduce the harmful use of IPEDs. Methods A comprehensive search strategy was developed for multiple bibliographic databases, supported by and iterative citation searching process and complimented by expert input from the Anabolic Steroid UK Network. Research conducted by or UK academics or within the UK were eligible, if published in the previous five years. Results In total 87 eligible outputs were identified, including 26 review articles, 25 qualitative papers and 24 quantitative papers. together with small numbers of clinical studies/case reports (6) and commentaries/correspondence (6). The most common topics of research were public health, treatment and harm reduction (41), followed by studies focusing on epidemiology, sub-groups of people using IPEDs and motivations for use (34). The studies illustrated the diverse populations of people who use a range of enhancement drugs including concomitant psychoactive drug use. A number of papers focused on blood borne viruses and associated issues, while others reported on the uptake of needle and syringe programmes. No effectiveness evaluations related to any aspect of treatment, harm reduction or other intervention were published during study period. Conclusion There is a need for the development of effectiveness evaluations of current interventions and any future service provision for people using image and performance enhancing drugs. While there have been no studies of this nature to date, this review illustrates the rich data that has been gathered through diverse methodologies, that will assist in the development of future effectiveness evaluations.

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Inside a steroid ‘brewing’ and supply operation in South-West England: An ‘ethnographic narrative case study’

Cited by 15 publications

References 31 publications

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Male Strength Athletes Who Use Non-prescribed Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Male Strength Athletes Who Use Non-prescribed Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

#Sponseredathlete: the marketing of image and performance enhancing drugs on Facebook and Instagram

Generating evidence on the use of Image and performance enhancing drugs in the UK: results from a scoping review and expert consultation by the Anabolic Steroid UK network

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