The Impact of Competition

Aaron Sweazy

Concordia University of Nebraska

Marketing for Public Health

MPH 588

Dr. Lea Pounds

September 16, 2014

  1. Table of Contents

I.Table of Contents

II.Reducing PED/Steroid Abuse

III.Competitor 1: Rebellion of Physical/Sexual Abuse

IV.Competitor 2: Fast Track to Success

V.References

THE IMPACT OF COMPETITION1

  1. Reducing PED/Steroid Abuse

I believe there is a need to reduce the use of Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs)/Steroids among high school students. A plan should be implemented to try to reduce this problem and in order to that, I would utilize the aid of a Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM). The PAPM is constructed with seven stages with each having a difference in the way behaviors or beliefs may be present within an individual (DiClemente et al., 2013). I would have to personally take those individuals unaware of the issue of the dangers of PED abuse (Stage 1), and educate them on the potential dangers of overuse of PEDs through the use of question and answer sessions and the utilization of education videos. Those unengaged on the issue of PED abuse are typically going to be aware of the risks of abuse (Stage 2), but will be naïve in thinking the risks do not point toward to them. After the first two stages an individual may hit a road bump in being undecided on whether to continue with their abuse of PEDs (Stage 3). From there a fork in the proverbial road map of the PAPM formulates in which the individual can decide to keep on taking the PEDs and cutting corners to seek a quick result by not taking action to quit (Stage 4), or by realizing they have a potentially life threating addiction and need to act on the impulse to stop before things become fatal (Stage 5). At the realization of deciding to act, the individual would need to move forward and would be steered toward action (Stage 6) of seeking therapy for addiction to help overcome the issue at hand. After action has been concluded, regularly going in for monthly follow-ups to test blood and urine samples for PEDs should be implemented. The client should also routinely report to a licensed mental health provider or a counselor that specializes specifically in substance type abuses. By doing the routine visits, this would throw the ball back into the court of the PED abuser, and allow them to keep maintenance (Stage 7) on keeping sober from PED abuse.

  1. Competitor 1: Rebellion of Physical/Sexual Abuse

When faced with trying to curb the amount of usage of PEDs/Steroids, some factors weigh heavy on the fight to reduce the use of them. One competitor in curbing PEDs/Steroids is victims of physical/sexual abuse. According to the National Institute on Health/ National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIH/NIDA, (2006); “In one series of interviews with male weightlifters, 25 percent who abused steroids reported memories of childhood physical or sexual abuse. Similarly, female weightlifters who had been raped were found to be twice as likely to report use of anabolic steroids or another purported musclebuilding drug, compared with those who had not been raped.” The belief of being able to protect themselves or having an intimidating factor due to the mass gained from using steroids is attributed to the abuse of the PEDs/steroids in rape victims as well (NIH/NIDA, 2006).

  1. Competitor 2: Fast Track to Success

A second form of competition for trying to reduce PED use is what I would say to be the attitude of winning at all costs. According to Jacqueline Stenson (2008); “students in grades 8 through 12 who admitted to using anabolic steroids in a confidential survey, 57 percent said professional athletes influenced their decision to use the drugs and 63 percent said pro athletes influenced their friends' decision to use them. Eighty percent of users — and 35 percent of non-users — said they believed steroids could help them achieve their athletic dreams.” Essentially I can see this being a great problem in the reduction of hard work and effort. The problem could skyrocket, especially in lower-socioeconomic areas, if seen as a springboard to success and a future meal ticket in avenues such as professional athletics in my personal opinion.

  1. References

DiClemente, R. J., Salazar, L. F., & Crosby, R. A. (2013). Health Behavior Theory for Public Health: Principles, Foundations, and Applications. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

National Institute on Health/ National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2006, February). Why do people abuse anabolic steroids? Anabolic Steroid Abuse. Retrieved from

Stenson, J. (2008, March 3). Kids on steroids willing to risk it all for success. Children’s Health on NBCNEWS.com. Retrieved from