Drug Abuse in Body Builders in the West of Scotland

Abstract

Forty one amateur body builders in a West of Scotland gymnasium were questioned about body building drug usage during the period January 1984 to January 1985.

Eight out of 41 (19.5%) had used drugs to enhance their physique and performance. Anabolic and androgenic agents were mainly used but diuretics, thyroxine and human chorionic gonadotrophin were also used. Those who took drugs, in all cases, took combinations of drugs.

Drug dosage was generally much in excess of that normally recommended, though there were no serious side effects at the time of the study.

If this experience was typical nationwide it would represent a significant number of body builders abusing drugs. In no case was there any medical supervision.