The Hidden Costs of Anabolic Steroids and the Need for Education
Gus Cooke, a former powerlifting coach who used anabolic steroids for nearly a decade, has shared his personal journey and warnings about the long-term effects of these performance-enhancing drugs. His experience highlights the complex relationship between steroid use, health, and societal pressures within the fitness community.
Anabolic steroids are synthetic variations of testosterone that are often used to enhance muscle growth and physical performance. While they are illegal without a medical prescription in Australia, their non-medical use has been on the rise, particularly among individuals involved in bodybuilding and powerlifting. This trend has sparked significant debate about how to address the issue effectively.
Cooke’s story began in Brisbane, where he trained using steroids for over 10 years before deciding to quit in 2023. He recalls that the initial decision to use them was influenced by peer pressure and the competitive nature of the sport. “The sport kind of created this need to keep up and do what everyone else is doing,” he explained. “It's an addictive feeling. Winning is addictive—but then you start to realize the health concerns.”
After his last competition two years ago, Cooke made the difficult decision to stop using steroids. However, the transition was not easy. He experienced changes in his neurochemistry, which affected his mental health, and faced rapid muscle loss due to suppressed natural testosterone production. Today, he is undergoing Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), a legally prescribed treatment.
Despite the challenges, Cooke now focuses on helping others who may be using steroids. As a coach, he emphasizes the importance of managing risks and promoting safer practices. “You can't stop the use. You never will stop the use,” he said. “There was no point criminalising it because all you do is create an underground subculture of steroid use.”
Instead of demonizing steroid use, Cooke advocates for education and support systems. He believes that if the industry continues to rely on these substances, there must be infrastructure in place to ensure accountability and provide access to medical resources. “There only needs to be basic knowledge out there to reduce so much harm,” he said. “People need access to medical facilities to test if there's contaminants, to test what they're taking and then how to safely use it.”
The role of social media in influencing steroid use cannot be ignored. Research published in the American Psychological Association in 2024 found a strong link between appearance-related social media use and increased anabolic-androgenic steroid use among men. Cooke notes that some influencers promote steroids as a “magic pill” while others fail to disclose that their results are drug-assisted. This creates unrealistic expectations and can lead to disappointment among followers.
Moreover, the lack of transparency in the fitness industry exacerbates the problem. “The reality is that anything worth getting in terms of a really chiselled physique isn’t attainable without anabolic steroids,” Cooke said. “It can be done naturally, but doesn't look the same.”
In response to the growing concern, Australian researchers have begun exploring alternative approaches to address steroid use. A trial conducted by Griffith University allowed anonymous users to submit steroids for analysis, revealing alarming results. Almost a quarter of the substances tested contained unexpected steroids, and over half were incorrectly dosed. More than 80% of participants indicated they would change or reduce their use after seeing the findings.
Dr. Tim Piatkowski, the lead researcher, emphasized the importance of information in minimizing unintended consequences. “Criminalisation and stigmatisation have led to these individuals turning to peers, social networks, online forums and drug coaches,” he said. “These strategies are a form of folk pharmacology or ‘bro science’ and can sometimes lack appropriate oversight from medical professionals.”
For Cooke, the solution lies in education and open dialogue. “If steroid-use is inevitable in the industry, it needs to be managed rather than banned,” he concluded. By providing accurate information and creating safe spaces for discussion, the fitness community can work towards reducing the harm associated with anabolic steroids.
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