CHEATING YOUR HEALTH ANTI-STEROID ADS College World Series view ad Little League World Series view ad ABOUT STEROIDS For Parents... There is no question that steroids work to increase lean muscle mass. But at what cost? What potential problems await those who take anabolic steroids? There is a saying that "the dose makes the poison." Translation: The more of a drug you take, and the longer you take it, the greater the risk of negative side effects. This is the case with anabolic steroids. PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES Anabolic steroids are also associated with mental changes, with the potential for: Increased aggression and in some cases "'roid rage." Psychological and physical dependence, similar to the properties associated with addictive drugs. Feelings of euphoria and invincibility in some individuals; and in others delusions and paranoia. Anabolic steroid withdrawal can be associated with depression, and in some cases, suicide. There is a disease, muscle dysmorphia (also commonly known as "reverse anorexia nervosa"), that drives young people to be obsessed with body appearance and composition. These individuals exhibit obsessive eating and exercise behaviors. This disease is associated with increased anabolic steroid abuse. IN THE LIVER AND CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM... Anabolic steroids like testosterone, if taken by mouth, are destroyed by the liver before they ever get into your blood. Therefore, they must be injected to be effective. Injections of any substance have risks associated with them, including: Contracting AIDS or hepatitis B or C, or An infection in the injection site which can result in an abscess or cellulitis requiring medical treatment Chemists are able to modify the steroid structure in order to allow the steroid to pass through the liver unchanged. Most of these steroids are called 17-alkylated steroids. The following points are important for consideration: The "price" for an orally available steroid was damage to the liver cells that results in elevated markers of liver damage (enzymes, bilirubin) in the blood. Fortunately, this damage is usually reversible when you stop taking the anabolic steroid. In some people, a rare condition called Peliosis hepaticus (blood-filled cysts in the liver) develops. The condition is usually reversible if the use of steroids ceases and medical treatment is sought. In an unlucky few, liver tumors and cancer can be the result of taking anabolic steroids. And liver cancer is almost always fatal. Along with the effects on the liver, the use of anabolic steroids results in changes in the blood lipids to a pattern associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. No long-term controlled studies have been done to document whether the increased risk results in shortened lifespan. The lipid pattern usually returns to normal if anabolic steroid use is stopped. THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM… Since they are related to testosterone, anabolic steroids interfere with the body's endocrine system. Anabolic steroids can impact the endocrine system in several ways: The body's normal production of testosterone can stop. The testes generally shrink and sperm production is diminished. In some individuals, total lack of sperm results in infertility, and in a few individuals, this infertility is permanent. Some anabolic steroids are converted into estrogens in the body, which can result in the permanent development of breast tissue in men. There is concern that abuse of anabolic steroids could result in prostate disease, but no well-controlled studies have been conducted to either prove or disprove this. PHYSICAL CHANGES IN WOMEN AND CHILDREN Since anabolic steroids are responsible for the appearance associated with maleness, steroid use in females can result in embarrassing physical changes that can be irreversible, including: Lowering of the voice Cessation of breast development Growth of hair on the stomach and upper back Baldness at the temples and crown of the head Growth of the clitoris Serious disruption or cessation of the menstrual cycle In children that have not reached maturity, steroid use can disrupt or prematurely initiate puberty. Anabolic steroids can also stunt growth by prematurely causing the long bones to stop growing. So are the bigger muscles worth playing Russian roulette with your health? PARENTS What should a parent look for if they are concerned that their child may be taking anabolic steroids? Unfortunately, many of the symptoms of steroid abuse coincide (at least from the average parent’s perspective) with appearances and attitudes that occur during adolescence. Contrary to some statements, you can’t always tell a steroid abuser by looking at them. But there are some hints that might suggest that you seek the help of a medical professional, who can make an assessment based on a physical examination and blood tests. Here are some signs to look for: Increased aggression Rapid weight gain (10 lb/month or 40 lb/year) Pustular acne on upper back Obsession with and bragging about increased performance (increased bench press) Virilization in females (lowering of voice; male pattern of hair growth on body) LINKS http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/steroids/index.html http://www.nida.nih.gov/DrugPages/Steroids.html http://www.nida.nih.gov/MeetSum/steroidmtg.html http://www.aap.org/family/steroids.htm http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/phd726/ http://www.monitoringthefuture.org http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/sma/sma_anabster_sma.htm http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2005/hmsteroids.htm http://www.dea.gov/concern/steroids.html http://www.public.asu.edu/~davidpm/ripl/atlas.htm ^ top Site Search ATHLETE TOOLS Athlete Login Downloads Spirit of Sport Newsletter Athlete Ambassadors USOC Ombudsman Cheating Your Health Gold Medal Game Print this page E-mail this page Drug Reference Online

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