Final answer:
The dominant claim is that taking anabolic steroids is risky for your health, equating it to gambling. These drugs can lead to severe health issues, including organ damage, heart problems, behavioral changes, and addiction. They are misused for performance or appearance enhancement despite the known dangers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dominant claim of the statement that taking anabolic steroids is like gambling is that you are risking your health. This main answer can be explained further by considering the numerous health issues associated with steroid misuse. Anabolic steroids, which are synthetic variations of the male sex hormone testosterone, can lead to serious and sometimes irreversible health consequences when misused for performance enhancement or for altering physical appearance.
People who misuse anabolic steroids may encounter a variety of negative health outcomes, such as kidney failure, liver damage, heart enlargement, high blood pressure, and changes in blood cholesterol. These conditions elevate the risk of stroke and heart attack, and in some cases lead to conditions like infertility, aggressive behavior, cardiovascular disease, and even brain cancer. Moreover, anabolic steroids can lead to a substance use disorder or addiction, characterized by continued use despite adverse effects. The explanation for such misuse often centers around the desire for increased muscle mass, strength, endurance, or improved physical appearance, despite awareness of the health risks.