Signs of Steroid Use in Adolescents
Steroids, also known as anabolic steroids, have increasingly become a drug of abuse among adolescent males.
Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of hormones like testosterone, naturally produced by the body.
Because of influences such as peer pressure and the distorted ideal body image which the media perpetuates, adolescent males, especially athletes are susceptible to the temptation of using anabolic steroids for their muscle and strength building effects.
Unfortunately, the pressure many professional athletes feel to perform at high levels, gain strength, and build muscle is also felt by many teenagers.
This has led to an increase in steroid use in high-schoolers since the late 1990s.
The majority of users are males, but in some cases serious female athletes have also been known to use performance-enhancing drugs.
In fact, the Monitoring the Future survey of 8th, 10th and 12th graders in 2000 indicated that steroid use may be as high as 2.
8 percent.
Although steroids are taken to enhance the body's natural tendency to build muscle, the desired effects cannot be separated from the rest of the effects that steroids have on the body.
Subsequently, when they are used by athletes to enhance their performance, they come with a long list of serious side effects including; • High blood pressure • Liver cancer • Kidney cancer • Infertility • Psychiatric problems It is important for parents of adolescents to be aware of the outward signs of steroid abuse.
Behavioral changes associated with the use of anabolic steroids include mood swings, depression, aggression and anxiety.
The steroid abuser may also experience irritability, nervousness and fatigue.
School grades may demonstrate a sudden decline, usually a "red flag" for a developing problem in an adolescent's life.
Physical signs of steroid abuse include; • Severe acne • Hair loss on the head • Increasing amounts of hair in areas other than the head • Breast development • Extreme appetite changes • Significant changes in sleep pattern • Rapid weight gain • Rapid muscle development • Edema (swelling of the face or extremities) Should a parent suspect an adolescent of engaging in steroid use they should call their doctor and have the child evaluated immediately.
All of the information found in this article is intended for educational use only and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.
Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of hormones like testosterone, naturally produced by the body.
Because of influences such as peer pressure and the distorted ideal body image which the media perpetuates, adolescent males, especially athletes are susceptible to the temptation of using anabolic steroids for their muscle and strength building effects.
Unfortunately, the pressure many professional athletes feel to perform at high levels, gain strength, and build muscle is also felt by many teenagers.
This has led to an increase in steroid use in high-schoolers since the late 1990s.
The majority of users are males, but in some cases serious female athletes have also been known to use performance-enhancing drugs.
In fact, the Monitoring the Future survey of 8th, 10th and 12th graders in 2000 indicated that steroid use may be as high as 2.
8 percent.
Although steroids are taken to enhance the body's natural tendency to build muscle, the desired effects cannot be separated from the rest of the effects that steroids have on the body.
Subsequently, when they are used by athletes to enhance their performance, they come with a long list of serious side effects including; • High blood pressure • Liver cancer • Kidney cancer • Infertility • Psychiatric problems It is important for parents of adolescents to be aware of the outward signs of steroid abuse.
Behavioral changes associated with the use of anabolic steroids include mood swings, depression, aggression and anxiety.
The steroid abuser may also experience irritability, nervousness and fatigue.
School grades may demonstrate a sudden decline, usually a "red flag" for a developing problem in an adolescent's life.
Physical signs of steroid abuse include; • Severe acne • Hair loss on the head • Increasing amounts of hair in areas other than the head • Breast development • Extreme appetite changes • Significant changes in sleep pattern • Rapid weight gain • Rapid muscle development • Edema (swelling of the face or extremities) Should a parent suspect an adolescent of engaging in steroid use they should call their doctor and have the child evaluated immediately.
All of the information found in this article is intended for educational use only and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.
