If you're an athlete, you may hear talk about drugs that are supposed to
give you an edge on the competition. Or maybe you've already tried these
drugs and are wondering what they are and if they're safe. Here's the story.
Steroids What They Are
Anabolic steroids—also called steroids, 'roids, sauce or juice—are synthetic
male hormones that may be taken in pill form or injected. They're illegal in
most states except when prescribed for certain kinds of medical conditions.
That They Do
Steroids increase body weight and muscle mass. They may also improve
your muscular strength and endurance. Sound attractive? Here's what else
they do:
In males, they can cause sterility, impotence and shrunken genitals.
In females, steroids can cause breast reduction, menstrual irregularity,
sterility and development of permanent masculine traits.
In teenagers who have not completed their growth, steroids can cause
premature fusing of bones, resulting in short height. Teenagers also risk
injury due to overdeveloped muscles on an immature frame.
Other effects include acne, bad breath, swelling of the feet, jaundice,
baldness, skin color changes, heart attack, stroke and liver cancer.
Effects on Behavior
What steroids can do to your body isn't the whole story. Steroids can also
cause behavior changes ranging from aggression, hostility and irritability to
psychotic behavior sometimes called "roid rages."
The Price of "Winning"
When thinking about using steroids, consider the price you're willing to pay
to win. What does it mean to win because of a drug instead of because of
hard work and talent? Consider, also, that there's no hard evidence that
steroids actually improve your athletic performance overall. Hard training is
still the most effective way to increase muscle strength and performance.
Getting Help
Steroids are physiologically and psychologically addictive. If you've been
using steroids and would like to stop, get help now. Your future health
depends on it. Talk to a trusted adult, such as a teacher, counselor or
doctor.
Or call your local teen hotline, or the National Drug and Alcohol
Treatment Referral Routing Service at 800-662-HELP.