Anabolic Steroids and IPEDs

• Male pattern baldness
• Acne
• Excess body hair
• Growth of facial hair on females
• Gynaecomastia (man-boobs)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Infertility
• Liver disfunction and jaundice 
• Hypertension
• Cardiac Arrythmias
• Heart attack
• Stroke 
• Cardiac hypertrophy 
• Blood-borne virus risk as a result of injecting

• Dependence/addiction
• Depression
• Aggression and violence
• Decreased libido
• Mood changes
• Paranoia
• Social consequences
• Euphoria

Most people turn to the internet as their primary source of information on any subject, including advice on fitness and nutrition. Here there is a risk of unverified, pseudo-science, and so called ‘bro-science’ (a term for misinformation circulated, usually body-building claims not backed by science and based on anecdote) being accepted as good practice and going unchallenged.

The drive to ‘win at all costs’ is recognised in sport as a mentality within a team or individual where the values, rules or laws are abandoned, and the single act of winning is all-important.

UKAD’s values-based education programme (100% me) emphasises the values of fair play and the spirit of competition. UKAD supports clean athletes who uphold these values.

The temptations of a ‘win at all costs’ mentality are not limited to specific sports and can be driven by the perceived acquisition of wealth, status, power and influence. These motivations are present at all levels of sport, and the huge financial rewards at the top of elite sport should not be ignored as a contributing factor to IPED use.

The influence of exposure to unrealistic body images has been around for generations. These images of ‘idealised’ body types have long been present in advertising and media on billboards, on TV and film, or in magazines. However, advancement of mobile technology has exponentially increased the presence of this influence in daily life. 

The constant exposure to specific body types can distort the public perception of what is normal and acceptable, leading to societal pressure to look a certain way - particularly for young people who are vulnerable to peer pressure and expectations.

The role of social media influencers should also be considered. Influencers who appear on these sites can be powerful in affecting behaviour or personal moral; many demonstrate the perceived benefits of IPED or supplement use, without articulating the significant risks, and are financially incentivised to do so. Recent research suggests that “fitspiration” images, images of influencers taking part in exercise or showing off their bodies, can result in lower self-compassion. 

• IPEDs, in the context of sport, are substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), as per the Prohibited List.
• Anabolic steroids are the most common type of IPED.
• According to the 2017 IPED Survey, the most common demographic for the onset of IPED use was 20-24 year-old males. 
• A study carried out by UKAD for Clean Sport Week 2019 found 34% of the gym-goers surveyed are aware of IPED use in their gym or club, demonstrating that IPED use is moving beyond the sporting environment.
• IPED use is more commonly associated with some sports than others. Of UKAD’s current Anti-Doping Rule Violations (October 2019), 37% involve rugby union players, and 18% involve rugby league players – although of these rugby violations, four (12%) were non-analytical and five (15%) were for recreational drugs, including cocaine and MDMA.
• A survey published following the 2011 World Athletics Championships reported that more than 30% of the athletes surveyed admitted to using banned substances at some point in their career. 
• Social media, exposure to ‘body image influencers’, popularity of the ‘Love Island look’, and a normalisation of injecting practices are current societal trends which have been cited as reasons behind IPED use.

• Steroids are a Class C Controlled Drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Production and supply are an offence for which a maximum sentence of 14 years can be given along with an unlimited fine. Simple possession however is not an offence. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has established a working group to examine IPEDs, however at the time of writing this, the group haven’t issued any report or recommendations.
• Evidence from Border Force indicates the majority of IPEDs arriving into the UK originate in China, eastern Europe and areas of Asia, such as India. Singapore is also emerging as a major source country due to products from India being moved there for distribution.

• People who use IPEDs put themselves at risk of substantial harm to their health.
• Regularly taking anabolic steroids can lead to physical and psychological changes, as well as potentially dangerous medical conditions.
• According to the 2016 National IPED Survey, 18% of participants who had injected reported that they had reused their own injecting equipment, and 15% reported that they had shared a multi-dose drug vial.
• It is important to consider IPED use as both a consequence of mental health pressure, and as a possible contributor to exacerbating symptoms.