Use of anabolic steroids in Norway has more than doubled in six years

The number of young people who report having used anabolic steroids has more than doubled in six years, a new study shows.

22% of young people either have someone in their circle of acquaintances that use steroids, or have used them themselves, according to a survey made by Sentio on behalf of Actis, reported the newspaper Klassekampen.

‘When so many people know someone who uses, there is absolutely no reason to doubt that their use is becoming normalized’, says Frederick Lauritzen, Head of the Department of Prevention and Public Health in Anti-Doping Norway.

In the survey, 4% said they use, or have used steroids. According to the Public Health Institute (Folkehelseinstituttet), the percentage of those who had used anabolic steroids in 2010 was 1.6%.

One reason for the significant rise is that their use among women has increased. Just as many women as men surveyed in the report admitted having taken anabolic steroids.

General Secretary in Actis, Mina Gerhardsen, believes more information needs to be made available about the dangers of doping.

‘There has been so much focus on the physical side effects, but not enough on the mental and psychological. Aggression, and low impulse control may be one side effect, but many users also become depressed and ultimately increase their risk of suicide’, says Gerhardsen.

Anabolic steroids were legal in Norway until 2013.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today