How to Tell if a Kid is on Steroids

Kids active in sports often experience significant pressure to excel. A child who is eager to succeed may cave in to temptation and try steroids to improve performance. Keep a close eye on your athletically driven teen or older adolescent, noting any signs of steroid abuse including abrupt muscle growth, acne and psychological changes.

  1. The Allure of Steroids

    • Some kids may be more likely than others to experiment with steroids to boost performance. Boys tend to use steroids more than girls, according to the Mayo Clinic. A youngster with a strong desire to gain muscle or who has a negative body image may also be more likely to take steroids. The same holds true for kids experiencing a strong desire or pressure to up their game. While these characteristics don't mean a kid will try steroids, it is prudent to carefully monitor a child with these tendencies.

    Dangers of Steroids

    • The synthetic hormones in steroids can lead to health problems. Some health issues from steroids occur quickly and other problems may develop years later, warns the National Institute of Drug Abuse. Males may develop infertility, while adolescents who take steroids may experience a disruption of growth, which could lead to permanently short stature. High blood pressure and heart attack can also be results of steroids. Liver cancer, jaundice, male-pattern baldness and fluid retention are additional side effects of steroids. People who inject steroids are at risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis if they share needles.

    Signs of Steroid Use

    • Users typically administer steroids by injection or by mouth, according to the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Diversion Control. A person taking steroids may become emotionally and psychologically unstable, with aggressive and combative outbursts, warns KidsHealth. You may notice delusions and paranoid behavior in your child if he̵7;s taking steroids. If you see severe acne develop, breast development in a boy or excessive bodily hair growth in a girl, these symptoms may also indicate steroid use.

    How to Help

    • Talk about steroids with your child if you suspect use. Ask questions about sports and training activities, and share your concerns with his coach or trainer. Explore training techniques to find out if your youngster is trying anything new. Ask your child what he knows about supplements and their side effects and results. Discuss other issues with steroid use, including the dishonesty from using performance-enhancing drugs unfairly. If you suspect your child is using steroids, insist on a blood test to test for steroid use, advises the American Chiropractic Association. Consult your physician and a sports psychologist to help your child stop using these drugs. Withdrawal can involve insomnia, depression, mood swings, restlessness and loss of appetite.

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