Steroids can be either legal or illegal. Physicians prescribe legal steroids for a variety of injuries and ailments. While those who use illegal steroids procure them illegally and typical take them to improve muscular size and strength. Many of the reasons people choose to take illegal steroids are emotional. When people choose to take steroids for emotional reasons the mental addiction is harder to overcome because it is not just their body desiring the drug but their minds as well. In "Concepts of Chemical Dependency" Harold Doweiko writes, the psychological addiction to steroids can be just as hard to overcome as the physical addiction similar to other commonly abused drugs.
Self-Confidence
People often choose to take steroids due to a lack of confidence. A Vanderbilt University article on women and steroids cites that steroid users may believe that their physical appearance is not good enough and that using steroids will help improve their body. Many people see the results of using steroids, see the increase in muscle mass and decrease in fat mass and think that they need the drugs to look this way. Before people take steroids, they may not realize the heavy side effects that come with using the drugs such as reproductive changes, the development of acne and male pattern baldness.
Self-Efficacy
Emory University cites an article by Albert Bandura stating, self-efficacy includes the belief that a person can achieve something on their own, and by their own power. People with low self-efficacy believe that they need help from outside sources to achieve their dreams. Self-confidence differs in that its basis rests on performance usually centered around a onetime event. A person that wants to build muscle and become stronger with low self-efficacy may begin using steroids. This person would believe that they can't get stronger without supplemental help. People with low self-efficacy don't understand that doing hard work on their own will help them achieve gains in strength and muscular power and they turn to steroids to assist them.
Desire for Acceptance
Social pressure can lead many people to take steroids. People that work out in a gym with others that use steroids may feel as though everyone around them is using the drugs. In addition, people on sports teams with other athletes that use steroids may feel inclined to use steroids as well. Social pressure is a common reason for people choosing to use illegal substances; peer pressure contributes to steroid abuse in the same way. This can result from a lack of emotional maturity and the feeling that you must follow others to fit in. The Association Against Steroid Abuse cites that the peer pressure to use steroids most often effects teens but that adults feel pressure to use the drugs as well.
References
- Emory University: Self-Efficacy
- Concepts of Chemical Dependency; Harold E. Doweiko; 2006
- Association Against Steroid Abuse: Anabolic Steroids and Adolescent Peer Pressure
- Vanderbilt University: Anabolic Steroids
