Steroids and Young Athletes
Most athletic kids with potential would jump at the chance to perform even better at their favorite sport. But what if that meant taking or injecting dangerous steroids? Research shows a troubling increase in the amount of young athletes doing just that: injecting steroids to increase muscle tone and mass and perform better at whatever sport they are participating in. What these young athletes do not realize, however, is the consequences that come from steroid use – especially at such a young age.
Most young athletes become hooked on steroids before they even know what is happening. Not only are they psychologically hooked, because their appearance changes into a pumped up muscly look, they are also putting their hearts and livers at risk, along with their mental state, according to researchers. Doctors have indicated that steroids can cause powerful psychological dependency for young people obsessed with body image and recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a new policy statement condemning the use of steroids among children and adolescents. The doctors’ group called on parents and coaches to take a stand against performance-enhancing drugs and “win-at-all costs” thinking.
With the pumped-up muscles and unshakable confidence, anabolic steroid use comes with damage to the heart and liver, stunting to bone development and extreme mood swings, acne and weight gain, researchers say. Even more dangerous is coming off them. Research shows that many young athletes feel huge amounts of depression for weeks to months after stopping steroid use. In fact, some suicides have been linked to the discontinuation of steroid use. Further, many young athletes don’t realize the danger of quitting “cold turkey” and throw their bodies into even more shock by not weaning off steroids properly. In cases where teens may need to take a drug test, or are trying to hide steroid use from family, friends, or coaches and they stop steroid use abruptly, dangerous consequences can follow. In all, young athletes should not use steroids unless under strict medical supervision.
Source: nbcnews.com