Life on Steroids: Bodybuilders Describe Their Perceptions of the Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use Period

Abstract

A significant amount of attention has been given to the psychological effects of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use in sport (Bahrke, Yesalis, & Wright, 1996). However, apart from a few selected case studies, a relative dearth of information has been provided concerning the subjective experience of people using AAS. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of 10 men who were using or had previously used AAS. The participants in this study were weight trainers with primarily a bodybuilding emphasis. All had used AAS at some point in their training experience. The study involved in-depth interviews focusing on the AAS use experience. Nine of the 10 men described their AAS use experience in a very favorable manner. The men perceived increases in muscle mass, strength, peer recognition, social status, sexual performance, and vocational performance. These findings are discussed relative to current AAS educational programs and interventions.

A qualitative analysis of the factors that protect athletes against doping in sport

“…The concept of doping as 'cheating' has previously been identified (Smith et al, 2010;Bloodworth & McNamee, 2010) and leveraging issues around the morality of doping use may be a promising avenue for prevention efforts. Indeed, moral values inhibit doping behaviour (Olrich & Ewing, 1999) and our findings support this assertion by demonstrating that PED use can be in direct conflict with an athlete's values and beliefs. It is possible that the negative emotional consequences triggered from such use (e.g., guilt and shame) represent strong post hoc deterrents for doping (Olrich & Ewing, 1999;Kirby, Moran & Guerin, 2011).…”

“…Indeed, moral values inhibit doping behaviour (Olrich & Ewing, 1999) and our findings support this assertion by demonstrating that PED use can be in direct conflict with an athlete's values and beliefs. It is possible that the negative emotional consequences triggered from such use (e.g., guilt and shame) represent strong post hoc deterrents for doping (Olrich & Ewing, 1999;Kirby, Moran & Guerin, 2011). Either way, prevention programs should be future focused and foster the internalization of desirable values of sport, such as playing by the rules, to avoid the guilt and shame that remains with an athlete, even after their doping ban is served.…”

Moral disengagement and associated processes in performance-enhancing drug use: a national qualitative investigation

“…Personal morality is a further potential deterrent to PED use, as doping often requires illegal activity and is considered by many to constitute cheating (Bilard, Ninot, & Hauw, 2011;Probert, Palmer, & Leberman, 2007). Accordingly, bodybuilders have reported terminating PED use due to moral conflict (Olrich & Ewing, 1999), and models of PED use often specify moral variables within them (Donahue et al, 2006;Donovan, Egger, Kapernick, & Mendoza, 2002;Petróczi & Aidman, 2008). As such, further understanding of why the above deterrents do not effectively prevent PED use is needed; the overarching aim of the current work is to investigate psychosocial processes that facilitate PED use in male bodybuilders with a view to informing prevention efforts.…”

A retrospective 30-year follow-up study of former Swedish-elite male athletes in power sports with a past anabolic androgenic steroids use: a focus on mental health

“…They are not only confined to professional athletes, sporting elites or even recreational athletes, but are also common among youths without association to organised sports. The acute effects of AAS-use on mental health are well described in the literature, for example, increased aggression and irritability,1 anxiety and depressive symptoms,2 3 cognitive impairment,4 suicidal behaviours,3 hypomanic symptoms,5 enthusiasm6 and increased self-confidence 7…”