2010-12-29
Use of doping agents can clearly lead to serious physical, psychic and social problems. At least 10,000 people in Sweden are estimated to have used doping agents in the past year. The number of crimes and seizures has multiplied in the past decade, which may indicate a greater occurrence of doping. Doping is used for reasons that distinguish from use of other drugs. It’s obvious that doping is a problem outside sports. That shows a new report about doping in Sweden.
In order to take stock of the state of knowledge regarding the spread and consequences of doping as well as of what prevention efforts are being pursued, the Swedish National Institute of Public Health conducted an inventory in 2009 (R 2009:15). This report has now been translated into English.
The topics covered include an overview of the medical, social medicine, sociological and legal aspects in the area. The review begins by describing the law that regulates the handling of doping agents, as well as how users get hold of them.
The summary shows that a typical user is a man between the ages of 18 and 34, who regularly exercises with weights at a gym. Use appears to be very low among women.
The reason for use is mainly to improve athletic performance, improve physical appearance through obtaining a more muscular and powerful body, become stronger and more aggressive or achieve a feeling of invincibility. Use for intoxication purposes is less common. Doping agents are mostly used in “cycles” of 6–12 weeks, interspersed with equally long doping-free periods.
- Mixed substance abuse involving narcotics, alcohol and/or other medications is not uncommon and can exacerbate the side-effects, says Kajsa Mickelsson, investigator.
Knowledge of the health effects of doping agents is limited, but considerably more is well-known than for 20 years ago when doping first was noticed outside the sport. However, it is clear that their use can lead to serious physical, mental and social problems such as severe symptoms of depression and aggressive tendencies.
The Internet plays a big role for marketing and trade and in order to collect and to exchange knowledge. The number confiscating increase, what can indicate a greater occurrence of doping. But available population statistic does not speak for a clear increasing or decreasing trend of the number of users for the last 15 years.
Methods for prevention in gym environments are being developed. However, prevention and treatment research in the doping field is otherwise undeveloped. Many questions remain unanswered as to what measures are effective in limiting and treating doping problems.
updated Wednesday, December 29, 2010
