The steroid trade is booming. The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security reports: The number of intercepted cargoes is increasing year by year. The Center for Addiction Medicine (Arud) estimates that more than 200,000 people in Switzerland take anabolic steroids at some point in their lives, even though these substances are banned.
Better access to expertise may be more effective than tougher prosecution. The Center for Addiction Medicine is currently planning a counseling service for anabolic steroid users. From the summer of 2023, they must be informed about psychological and physical dangers.
But this is not enough. Specialist positions are rare, as are the necessary knowledge. This is why pumps often get their information from dubious online forums or YouTube channels that spread half knowledge, downplay or hide risks.
Testosterone users don’t want to admit that their testicles have shrunk. They prefer to flex their biceps in front of the camera. Many fitness professionals still believe that steroids can be used to gain muscle mass without side effects. One mistake among many. In addition, three-quarters of all anabolic steroids are counterfeit and pose a risk to your health.
Drugs are not tested like they are for psychoactive substances, and there is work to be done. Increasingly, minors are also interested in anabolic steroids. To counteract this, we don’t need to ban harder, we need to communicate better. More information is needed about the risks of anabolic steroids.