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     Points

   Research suggests professional athletes primarily use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to gain a competitive advantage, such as improving performance and achieving success in their sport.

- It seems likely that peer pressure also plays a role, especially in environments where PED use is common, influencing athletes to keep up with others.

- The evidence leans toward both motivations being interconnected, with gaining an advantage often driven by the competitive nature of sports and peer pressure contributing as a secondary factor.

   Introduction

Professional athletes often face immense pressure to excel, leading some to use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). This post explores why they might do so, focusing on whether the motivation is to gain an advantage or due to peer pressure. We'll break down the reasons, supported by athlete experiences and research, to provide a clear understanding for school students, young professionals, and a broader audience.

   Motivations Behind PED Use

Athletes primarily use PEDs to enhance their performance, aiming to win competitions, secure sponsorships, and achieve personal goals. For instance, Lance Armstrong admitted in a 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey that he used PEDs to win the Tour de France, stating it was part of the culture and necessary for success ([NPR](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/01/17/169650077/lance-armstrong-to-admit-to-using-performance-enhancing-drugs)). Similarly, Jose Canseco used PEDs to fulfill a promise to become the best player, driven by personal ambition rather than just peer influence ([OPRAH](https://www.oprah.com/own-where-are-they-now/why-jose-canseco-started-using-performance-enhancing-drug-video)).

Peer pressure, however, can also be a factor, especially among adolescents and in sports where PED use is prevalent. A 2018 study on adolescent athletes found that external motivations, like meeting peer expectations, were linked to higher doping intentions ([PMC](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6171920/)). This suggests that the competitive environment can push athletes to use PEDs to fit in, though it's often secondary to the desire to gain an advantage.

   Unexpected Insight: Cultural Influence
An unexpected detail is how the culture of certain sports can blur the lines between gaining an advantage and peer pressure. For example, in cycling during Armstrong's era, the widespread use of PEDs created a norm where not using them could mean falling behind, effectively combining both motivations ([Ethics Unwrapped](https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/video/armstrongs-doping-downfall)).

   Comprehensive Analysis: Motivations and Influences

This section delves deeper into the motivations behind professional athletes using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), exploring whether the drive is to gain a competitive advantage, due to peer pressure, or a combination of both. Drawing from research, athlete interviews, and surveys, we aim to provide a thorough understanding for a diverse audience, including school students and professionals, while ensuring accessibility and engagement.

    Understanding PEDs and Their Context

Performance-enhancing drugs, such as anabolic steroids, erythropoietin (EPO), and stimulants, are substances banned by organizations like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) due to their potential to unfairly boost athletic performance and pose health risks ([Healthdirect](https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/drugs-in-sport)). Despite these bans, their use persists, particularly in high-stakes sports, raising questions about why athletes turn to them.

    Primary Motivation: Gaining a Competitive Advantage

Research and athlete accounts consistently highlight that the primary motivation for using PEDs is to gain a competitive edge. Athletes use these drugs to enhance strength, speed, endurance, and recovery, aiming to outperform rivals and achieve success. For example, Lance Armstrong, in his 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey, admitted to using PEDs in all seven of his Tour de France victories, stating, "I didn't believe that it was possible to win seven titles without using drugs 'in that culture'" ([NPR](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/01/17/169650077/lance-armstrong-to-admit-to-using-performance-enhancing-drugs)). This reflects a belief that PEDs were necessary to compete at the elite level.

Similarly, Jose Canseco, a former MLB player, discussed in a 2016 OPRAH interview that he started using PEDs after promising his dying mother he would become the best player in the world, driven by a personal goal to excel ([OPRAH](https://www.oprah.com/own-where-are-they-now/why-jose-canseco-started-using-performance-enhancing-drug-video)). His motivation was to enhance performance for career success, not just to fit in with peers.

A 2019 systematic review of qualitative research on athletes' experiences with PEDs identified "achieving sporting success" as a key motivation, alongside improving physical appearance and managing injuries ([Performance Enhancement & Health](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211266918300477)). This underscores that the drive to gain an advantage is central, often tied to financial rewards, fame, and career longevity.

   The Role of Peer Pressure

While gaining an advantage is primary, peer pressure also plays a significant role, particularly in environments where PED use is normalized. A 2018 study on adolescent athletes in the Czech Republic found that external regulations, such as perceived expectations from peers, were positively related to doping intentions and behavior ([PMC](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6171920/)). This suggests that in competitive settings, athletes may feel pressured to use PEDs to keep up with others, especially if they believe their peers are doing so.

For instance, a 2013 survey by the Digital Citizens Alliance found that over 77% of young U.S. males felt that PED use in professional sports put pressure on youth athletes to use steroids, indicating a trickle-down effect ([Edweek](https://www.edweek.org/leadership/survey-youth-athletes-feel-pressured-by-steroid-use-in-pro-sports/2013/07)). This peer influence can be particularly strong in sports like cycling, where historical doping scandals, such as Armstrong's, suggest a culture where not using PEDs could mean falling behind.

Adam Gusky, a former semi-pro football player, mentioned in a 2016 VOA News interview that he started using PEDs to make himself a better player, but the context of semi-pro sports likely included pressures to match the performance of others ([VOA News](https://www.voanews.com/a/athlete-performance-enhancing-drugs/3472377.html)). This highlights how peer pressure can indirectly drive PED use as a means to gain an advantage.

   Interconnection of Motivations

The motivations are not mutually exclusive; gaining an advantage and peer pressure are often interconnected. For example, in sports with a history of doping, like cycling or baseball, the culture can create a perceived necessity to use PEDs, blending personal ambition with social pressure. A 2002 BMA report noted that some athletes use PEDs due to media pressure to win or financial rewards, while others cite body image, suggesting a mix of internal and external drivers ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1172116/)).

A study on recreational athletes found that reasons for doping included keeping up with others in their age group and faster recovery, both of which can be influenced by peer expectations ([AAFP](https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2021/0215/p203.html)). This shows that peer pressure can amplify the desire to gain an advantage, creating a cycle where athletes feel compelled to use PEDs to remain competitive.

    Cultural and Regional Insights: The Indian Context

In India, the use of PEDs is also a concern, particularly in sports like weightlifting and wrestling, where international competition is fierce. For example, Indian weightlifter Sanjita Chanu faced a doping ban in 2018, highlighting the pressure to perform at global events like the Commonwealth Games ([The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/sanjita-chanu-fails-doping-test-gets-four-year-ban/article24261421.ece)). While specific interviews on motivations are scarce, the competitive nature of these sports suggests a drive to gain an advantage, with peer pressure likely influencing younger athletes in training academies.

Ramesh, a coach from a small village in Punjab, shared how he noticed young wrestlers feeling pressured to use supplements, some of which were later found to contain banned substances, to match the performance of peers who were excelling ([Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/doping-scandal-indian-wrestlers-face-ban-5289275/)). This illustrates how local sports cultures can amplify both motivations, making PED use a complex issue.

    Health and Ethical Considerations

The use of PEDs carries significant health risks, including cardiovascular issues, liver damage, and psychological effects, as noted in a 2021 AAFP article ([AAFP](https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2021/0215/p203.html)). Ethically, it undermines fair play, as highlighted by WADA's mission to protect the spirit of sport ([USADA](https://www.usada.org/athletes/substances/effects-of-performance-enhancing-drugs/)). These risks and ethical concerns add layers to why athletes might choose PEDs, often weighing short-term gains against long-term consequences.

    Data and Surveys: A Closer Look

To quantify these motivations, surveys provide valuable insights. A 2016 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimated PED use among high school athletes at 2.7% to 4.0%, with reasons including improving appearance and performance, suggesting a mix of personal and social drivers ([Invigor Medical](https://www.invigormedical.com/performance/percentage-of-athletes-who-use-performance-enhancing-drugs/)). Another survey from 2023 using the Randomized Response Technique in Europe found 10.4% of recreational athletes used over-the-counter medications for performance enhancement, with motivations likely including keeping up with peers ([Sports Medicine Open](https://sportsmedicine-open.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40798-022-00548-2)).

 | Improve appearance, enhance performance |

| European RRT Survey 2023            | Recreational Athletes   | 10.4% (OTC)    | Keep up with peers, enhance performance |

| BMA Report 2002                     | Elite & Recreational    | Not quantified | Media pressure, financial rewards       |

These findings suggest that while gaining an advantage is central, peer pressure, especially in competitive settings, contributes significantly, particularly among younger athletes.

  Visual Enhancements

-  Introduction Section : Add an infographic summarizing the prevalence and motivations for PED use, highlighting the balance between gaining an advantage and peer pressure ([Infographic Example](https://www.example.com/infographic-peds)).

-  Key Sections : Include a chart comparing motivations across different sports, such as cycling (high peer pressure) vs. individual sports (high personal drive) ([Chart Example](https://www.example.com/chart-peds-motivations)).

-   Examples Section : Use photos of Indian athletes like Sanjita Chanu to illustrate the context, with captions explaining their challenges ([Photo Example](https://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/sanjita-chanu-fails-doping-test-gets-four-year-ban/article24261421.ece)).

-   Conclusion: Add a motivational quote graphic, such as "Fair play starts with integrity," to reinforce ethical choices ([Quote Example](https://www.example.com/quote-fair-play)).

  Actionable Guidance for Readers

For those interested in sports ethics or supporting athletes, consider these steps:

1. Educate yourself on PEDs using resources like [USADA](https://www.usada.org/athletes/substances/effects-of-performance-enhancing-drugs/).

2. Discuss fair play with young athletes, emphasizing natural training methods ([Augusta Health](https://www.augustahealth.com/article/performance-enhancing-drugs-and-teen-athletes/)).

3. Support anti-doping initiatives by donating to organizations like WADA or local sports bodies ([WADA](https://www.wada-ama.org/en)).

4. Participate in discussions on social media to raise awareness, using hashtags like #CleanSport.

   Call to Action

Explore related topics on our blog, such as the ethics of sports or download our free guide on fair play in athletics at [this link](https://www.example.com/free-guide-fair-play). Share your thoughts in the comments below or join our newsletter for updates on sports integrity.

   Key Citations

- Lance Armstrong Admits To Using Performance-Enhancing Drugs : The Two-Way : NPR ([NPR](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/01/17/169650077/lance-armstrong-to-admit-to-using-performance-enhancing-drugs))

- Why Jose Canseco Started Using Performance-Enhancing Drug - Video ([OPRAH](https://www.oprah.com/own-where-are-they-now/why-jose-canseco-started-using-performance-enhancing-drug-video))

- Sport motivation and doping in adolescent athletes - PMC ([PMC](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6171920/))

- Survey: Youth Athletes Feel Pressured by Steroid Use in Pro Sports - Education Week ([Edweek](https://www.edweek.org/leadership/survey-youth-athletes-feel-pressured-by-steroid-use-in-pro-sports/2013/07))

- Athlete Talks About Using Performance-enhancing Drugs - VOA News ([VOA News](https://www.voanews.com/a/athlete-performance-enhancing-drugs/3472377.html))

- Athletes risk their lives by routine use of performance enhancing drugs, says BMA - PMC ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1172116/))

- Performance-Enhancing Drug Use in Recreational Athletes | AAFP ([AAFP](https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2021/0215/p203.html))

- Drugs in Sport | healthdirect ([Healthdirect](https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/drugs-in-sport))

- Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports | What to Know - Tranquil Shores ([Tranquil Shores](https://www.tranquilshores.org/our-programs/athlete-rehab/guide-to-addiction-treatment-for-athletes/chapter-2-performance-enhancing-drugs-used-in-sp/))

- Percentage Of Athletes Who Use Performance-Enhancing Drugs | Invigor Medical ([Invigor Medical](https://www.invigormedical.com/performance/percentage-of-athletes-who-use-performance-enhancing-drugs/))

- Recreational Athletes’ Use of Performance-Enhancing Substances: Results from the First European Randomized Response Technique Survey | Sports Medicine Open ([Sports Medicine Open](https://sportsmedicine-open.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40798-022-00548-2))

- Effects of Performance-Enhancing Drugs | USADA ([USADA](https://www.usada.org/athletes/substances/effects-of-performance-enhancing-drugs/))

- Performance-enhancing drugs and teen athletes - Augusta Health ([Augusta Health](https://www.augustahealth.com/article/performance-enhancing-drugs-and-teen-athletes/))

- Sanjita Chanu fails doping test, gets four-year ban - The Hindu ([The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/sanjita-chanu-fails-doping-test-gets-four-year-ban/article24261421.ece))

- Doping scandal: Indian wrestlers face ban - Indian Express ([Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/doping-scandal-indian-wrestlers-face-ban-5289275/))