From WebMD and the American Journal on Addictions:In the study of 230 male weight lifters aged 18 to 40:
- 12% reported use of human growth hormone (HGH) or a similar supplement known as insulin-like growth factor-1
- all weight lifters reported use of anabolic steroids
- 56% percent had a current or past dependence on opioids, cocaine, and/or Ecstasy
HGH was prohibitively expensive in the 1990s, but now pills, powders, and injections can be purchased at low cost on the Internet.
Weight lifters who already take steroids add HGH as a "turbo boost". “You can always tell which elite athletes are on HGH because their bones are growing at a faster rate and their faces look distorted.”
References:
Weight Lifters Turning to Human Growth Hormone. WebMD.
Image source: OpenClipart, public domain
I have a friend that recently got into body building and she was quickly asked by her trainer to start steroids. She said no. When she entered the competition it was obvious she would never actually win UNLESS she took steroids. SHe is currently refusing it but I wonder how long she will take the pressure from her collegues to do it. It's a messed up business.
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