Risk of Teenage Steroid Use
What are Steroids? They are synthetic substances related to testosterone and are illegal in the country. Are Steroids addictive? Yes, there is no question that Steroids can be addictive.
Facts about Teen Steroid Use
There are some alarming statistics related to Steroid abuse in high schoolers. Over the course of one year the number of high school teens who claimed to have used Steroids went from 5% to 7%. The number of teens who claimed to have used Synthetic Growth Hormones (Synthetic HGH) doubled from 5% to 11%. The number of teens who were aware of Steroids and Synthetic HGH being sold online was 22%. In the United States itself, an estimated 1.5 million teens have tried Steroids and thousands more have abused synthetic HGH without prescription.
Symptoms of Steroid Abuse
If a teen is using Steroids or Synthetic HGH, the signs might not be immediately obvious. However, with longer use it will become noticeable. Some symptoms of Steroid abuse are:
- Weight changes
- Abnormal increase in muscle mass
- An unhealthy amount of working out
- Increased appetite
- Missing school or other activities
- Irritability and hostile behavior
- Violent behavior
- Over competitiveness or envy
- Apart from physical symptoms, one may not notice other worrisome signs such as evidence or needles or empty pill bottles in the teen’s bedroom, laundry or car.
Effects of Steroids on the Body
- Steroids and Synthetic HGH put the muscles into overdrive and make the organs work overtime to keep up. The physical side effects include:
- Stunted growth
- Severe acne
- Liver problems
- Kidney problems
- High blood pressure
- Changes in blood cholesterol
- Heart attack or stroke
- There are also gender specific side effects. In males they can be:
- Increased risk of prostate cancer
- Lowered sperm count
- Growing breasts
- Shrinking of testicles
- In females they can include:
- Excessive facial hair
- Changes in menstrual cycle
- Male pattern baldness
- Deepened voice
Effects of Steroids on the Body
While Steroids affect the body first, they also have an effect on the brain, particularly the limbic system which controls mood. Long term Steroid use brings with it an inability to control one’s mood, resulting in mood swings, aggression and increased hostility. Effects like eating disorders, depression can also occur. Other psychological effects can include paranoia, jealousy and delusions.
Help for Teens
Teens who are chronically using Steroids or Synthetic HGH should start by talking to their parents, coach, guidance counselor or another trusted adult. They can also call a teen crisis hotline. It is important to realise that rehab is the only way for these teens to get healthy again. Parents who are concerned that their teen is abusing Steroids must reach out to treatment professionals who can determine what sort of rehab would work best for the teen.
Are you concerned that your teen is abusing Steroids? At Blueprints we provide support for young adults who are struggling with addictions. We have individualized programs and a well trained staff. Call us to get your teen started on the path to recovery.