PERFORMANCE DRUGS

1. Nandrolone (Deca-durabolin)
An anabolic steroid (a steroid that acts as the hormone testosterone) that occurs in
small amounts in the human body.
Medical Use: Used to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, to aid in the
growth of blood cells in bone marrow, and to help tissue and muscle growth in
people suffering from degenerative diseases like A!".
Athletic Use: #o grow muscle mass and aid in physical recovery from workouts.
$ossible %egative "ide &ffects: 'ardiovascular damage, se(ual dysfunction, liver
damage, acne, sterility, baldness, enlarged prostate. t is legal but only available only
by prescription.
Notable Uer!
)oyce *racie (mi(ed martial arts fighter): After a fight in +,,-, tested positive for
nandrolone and was banned for a year.
"hawne Merriman (football player): n +,,., tested positive and was supsended for
four games. #he incident led the %ational /ootball 0eague to pass a rule that forbids
a player who tests positive for steroids from being selected to the $ro 1owl or
winning any performance awards in the year in which they tested positive.
Cocaine ("Co#e")
A chemical compound stimulant derived from the coca plant.
Medical Use: Used as a topical anaesthetic to numb the surface of a body part 22
most often for eye, ear, nose, throat, neck and head in3ury.
Athletic Use: Although cocaine isn4t typically thought of as a performance2enhancing
drug, the energy boost and self2confidence it creates can aid in short2term athletic
activity.
$ossible %egative "ide &ffects: 5igh blood pressure, hyperactivity, increased heart
rate, hallucinations, paranoia, nasal cartilage decay, irregular heartbeat, lung trauma.
#he drug may be prescribed under special restrictions. 6therwise, illegal to possess
or use.
Notable Uer!
!wight *ooden (baseball player): #ested positive for cocaine in 789- and entered
rehab in order to avoid suspension by Ma3or 0eague 1aseball. n 788:, he again
tested positive and was suspended for ., days.
#homas ;5ollywood; 5enderson (football player): n his 7899 autobiography,
admitted to snorting cocaine out of a nasal inhaler while playing in "uper 1owl < in
78-8. 5e was kicked off of the team two years later in part because of his drug habit.
E$%edrine (E$%edra& Ma 'uan()
A chemical compound derived from the herb ephedra.
Medical Use: Used as a decongestant and for temporary relief of asthma and
bronchitis. Also used as a stimulant to treat sleep disorders, as a treatment for
menstrual problems or urine2control problems, and as a treatment for low blood
pressure associated with anaesthesia.
Athletic Use: #o increase energy and alertness and to lose weight by speeding up
metabolism.
$ossible %egative "ide &ffects: %ausea, high blood pressure, di==iness, shortness
of breath, loss of appetite, insomnia, hallucinations, paranoia, acne, cardiac
arrhythmia.
!ietary supplements containing ephedrine are illegal in the U", but ephedrine is still
available over the counter in many applications outside of dietary supplements.
5owever, sales are heavily monitored and restricted, including limits on sales by
merchants. t4s banned by the nternational 6lympic 'ommittee, the %ational /ootball
0eague, Ma3or 0eague 1aseball and the %ational 1asketball Association.
Notable Uer!
"teve 1elcher (baseball player): n +,,>, took diet pills containing ephedrine before
a workout and ended up dying of complications from heatstroke. #he coroner4s
reports indicated that ephedrine played a ma3or part in his death. 1elcher4s case
helped lead to the /!A banning ephedrine dietary supplements.
Ato 1oldon (track athlete): n +,,7, tested positive for ephedrine and was given a
warning, but he was not suspended. 1oldon maintained the drug was in a cold
medicine he4d taken.
A)$%eta)ine
A nervous system stimulant and appetite suppressant.
Medical Use: #o treat hyperactive children, sleep disorders and depression.
Athletic Use: #o increase energy and focus.
%egative "ide &ffects: )estlessness, an(iety, headaches, insomnia, nerve damage,
tremors, impotence, hallucinations, increased blood pressure.
t is restricted to prescription use only since 78.?.
Notable Uer!
1arry 1onds (baseball player): n +,,., tested positive for amphetamines. Under
Ma3or 0eague 1aseball4s drug testing rules, he was sub3ected to counselling and
increased testing, but was otherwise not disciplined. (A second positive test earns a
+? game suspension, a third positive test results in an 9,2game suspension and a
fourth nets a lifetime ban.)