This essay will focus on substance addictions and abuse, focusing specifically on anabolic steroids; it will demonstrate an understanding of the psychological implications of a common difficulty in a counseling or helping role. The topic will be health related and social and factual information relevant to the topic will be covered. Psychological issues, symptoms and how an individual may be affected by the health problem will be discussed, as well as recognized methods for working with client issues. Finally, points, arguments and opinions will be put forward and expressed. In a world full of intense competition and the desire to do better than the next person, people will use any means necessary to win or get ahead. Anabolic steroids are common among athletes. Anabolic steroids were developed in the 1930s and prescribed by doctors to promote skeletal muscle growth because they offered great potential for their protein-building properties. Today, they are most commonly associated with bodybuilders, weightlifters, and other male and female athletes. (J. Kennard, 2006). People who consume or inject anabolic steroids do so in hopes of gaining weight, strength, power, speed, endurance, and aggression. Steroids are illegal, but doctors can prescribe them to patients only for legitimate medical purposes. For the purpose of illegal use, these drugs are smuggled into the United Kingdom and the United States from other countries such as Mexico. Smuggling from these countries is easier because no prescription is required to purchase steroids. (Dr. J. Tolliver, 2004). Doctors believe that abuse of anabolic steroids by gym users poses a public health risk, a r...... middle of paper ....../behavior/steroids.html# { Accessed 04/25/10}Sierra Tucson (1983) Anabolic Steroid abuse Center: Steroid Abuse Programs [online] Available at http://www.sierratucson.com/program_details_addiction.php?id=55 {Accessed 04/19 /10}Thomas D. Fahey (1998). Anabolic androgenic steroids: mechanism of action and effects on performance [online] Available at http://www.sportsci.org/ency/anabster/anabster.html {Consulted 04/19/10}BooksCharles E. Yesalis, (1993) Anabolic Steroids in sport and Exercise, USA. Diana Sanders, (1996) Counseling for psychosomatic Problems, Sage publications Ltd. Jennifer L. Minigh (2007) Health and Medical Issues Today Sports Medicine, published by Greenwood Press. Syd Baumel, (2000) Dealing with depression naturally, United States, Keats editions. William N. Taylor, MD, (2002) Anabolic Steroids and the Athlete, 2nd Edition, USA.