Doping

In everyday speech, doping (the use of performance-enhancing drugs, PEDs) is often understood as the use of medicines taken with the intention of giving a performance-enhancing effect, or a slimmer, more muscular appearance. The most frequently used doping agents are muscle-building preparations (e.g. anabolic androgenic steroids), growth factors (e.g. growth hormone) and stimulants (e.g. ephedrine).

In addition, it is not uncommon for doping users to use various hormone-modulating substances in an attempt to reduce potential side effects of doping substances that affect the hormone system.

Who uses doping agents?

It is a challenge to describe users of doping outside sport. In the 1970s to 1990s, one might have categorised it as a kind of subculture found at small gyms, where the users were often conspicuous with voluminous bodies.

Today, about 30–40 years later, there has been a drastic change in both the subcultural and the physical aspects of doping users. Doping use is no longer reserved for male bodybuilders, but is found among both sexes, in all ages and walks of life, and many do not stand out from the crowd in appearance as they did before. There is nevertheless reason to believe that the majority of users are men between 20 and 40 years old.

Consequences of doping agents

Any substance that can give a desired effect can also give an undesired one. Whether, when and which side effects occur depends on individual differences, type of substance, amount, combined use and duration of use.

Intake of central stimulants can increase energy and productivity, but at the same time impair judgement. Use of anabolic androgenic steroids can, in an early phase, reduce the need for sleep and give elation, more energy and self-confidence, but use is also associated with mood swings and aggressive behaviour. After use ends, one may experience reduced energy, depression and sleep disturbances.

If you have questions about doping, you can contact Dopingkontakten. Akan and Anti-Doping Norway have a collaboration to ensure that you as an employer get the information and follow-up you need if any of your employees use doping. You can order talks and information material from Akan and Anti-Doping Norway.

Dopingkontakten

A conversation and information service about doping, training and/or coping. The service is staffed by people with psychological and sports-science expertise, and answers thoughts and questions about doping, body, self-image, training and coping.

Phone: 800 50 200
Email: dopingkontakten@antidoping.no
Chat: antidoping.no/dopingkontakten

The Steroid Project

The Steroid Project is a national project working to make the treatment offer for AAS users better and more accessible. The service offers users and relatives an easy way to get in touch with the health services by phone or a meeting. Here you can get information about what treatment can consist of and help to get into treatment.

Phone or SMS: 469 59 791
Website: steroidelab.no
Email: steroider@ous-hf.no