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Steroids

Anabolic Steroids have received a great deal of attention for their prevalence amongst professional athletes. Unfortunately, they are also abused in the collegiate and high school sports world. According to Columbia University’s Monitoring the Future Report, 2.2% of High School Seniors admitted to abusing steroids in 2008. Contrary to popular believe, steroids do not have to be injected. While injections can be used, many steroid abusers take the drug in pill form. They are widely available to those who frequent sport training facilities. Steroids are also available for purchase over the internet, from companies that operate outside of the United States. Though steroids are available for the legitimate treatment of certain medical conditions, those who abuse steroids use 10 to 100 times the medically recommended doses.

People don’t use steroids to get high, they use steroids to get bigger and become better at physical activity. They dramatically enhance the human body’s ability to produce muscle. The risk of negative health consequences is wide ranging, however, and much of it is irreversible. Early heart attacks, strokes, liver tumors, kidney failure, infertility and serious psychiatric problems can befall those who use steroids. For those who inject the drug, another host of risks emerge to be associated with intravenous drug use. Steroid users often experience irritability and insomnia. This causes some of them to turn towards sedative type drugs, which they use in conjunction with the steroids.

Steroid users typically take the substances in a process called cycling, stacking or pyramiding. In so doing, they mix varied substances, at varied doses, over the course of weeks. They then stop using for a few weeks, before starting over again. This can produce cyclical symptoms, which parents can identify.

Signs of Steroid Abuse: Unusual physical growth is the most reliable sign of steroid use. Though teenagers do endure natural growth spurts, an dramatic increase in muscle mass may be a sign of steroid use. This may be combined with cyclical irritability, acne and insomnia.

Steroid Paraphernalia: Steroid pills often come in foil packets. They can also be sold in small plastic containers, or even placed in plastic sandwich bags. Injectible steroids are sold in small vials. The vials have a rubberized top which allows the user to push a needle through.

Preventing Steroid Abuse: The Preventing Drug Use pages offer some terrific guidance on preventing drug use. With specific regard to steroids, parents must have the confidence to question abnormal physical growth. Parents who have teens that are active in competitive sports, or those who have taken in interest in body building, should talk about steroid abuse and take active steps to prevent it. Steroids are not detectable by most over the counter drug tests, a specific test should be sought, either over the internet, or through a physician.