“I have never used steroids. Period“ – Rafael Palmeiro 3/17/2005

What are steroids?

The proper name for “steroids” is anabolic-androgenic steroids, they are synthetic versions of the male sex hormone testosterone

Anabolic refers to muscle-building

Androgenic refers to male sex hormones

Steroids are chemical substances derived from cholesterol, including estrogen (the female sex hormone)

Steroids can be taken orally or injected

There are over 100 kinds of steroids, the most common are anadrol, dianabol, winstrol, and deca-durabolin

Why are steroids used?

Anabolic steroids build up muscle and bone mass along with decreasing the recovery time

Simply put, steroids work and they work fast – the biggest strength gains are observed in the first 3 weeks of use

Adding 25 lbs of muscle is not uncommon

“I could grab a 10-foot-rim. I could jump a few inches higher than the rim. It kind of freaked me out at first” – Anonymous Colleyville High (TX) student-athlete

“These kids were gaining 75 pounds on their bench press in a month or so“ – Dave Walls, former Plano Senior High football player (TX)

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spe/2005/steroids/index.html

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/2005-05-04-hs-steroids-cover_x.htm

Where do adolescents get steroids?

The most common source of steroids is from smuggling from other countries (such as Mexico and European countries)

Most high school students obtain steroids from friends, family, and other student- athletes

The Internet serves as a virtual hangout where teenagers and adults exchange information about buying and using steroids and pick up tips on managing side effects

Steroids are commonly known as roids, juice, arnolds, gym candy, strength trainers and gear

Prevalence of steroids in adolescents

3.4% of 12th graders reported taking steroids at least once (NIDA research)

2.5% of 10th graders and 1.6% of 8th graders reported taking steroids at least once

More than one million young people are taking steroids illegally

The secrecy surrounding steroid use makes it difficult to document the extent of the problem

http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/HSYouthtrends.html

Student Survey (CA high schools – March 2004)

Do you, or anyone you know take anabolic steroids?

Yes – 13% boys 10% girls

Are you personally aware of coaches or other sports related staff promoting the use of these substances?

Yes – 18% boys 7% girls 68,780 19,196 http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/HSYouthtrends.html

Who is taking steroids? Surveys and studies show that steroid use is

highest among senior boys and athletes

Male athletes overall are no more likely to use anabolic steroids than male non-athletes, only highly involved athletes are more likely to use steroids (one and half times more likely)

Studies have shown that growing numbers of young girls are beginning to use steroids, with usage at about 2% (highly involved female athletes are twice as likely to use steroids than non-athletes)

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0616/p01s01-ussc.html

http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/cgi-bin/iowa/issues/body/article.html?record=771

http://election.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/25/health/main608758.shtml

“It used to be bulimia was the fad choice … This is the new thing.... Now it's attractive to be thin and toned“ – Dr. Amanda Gruber, Psychiatrist at Harvard University Hospital

Reasons why adolescents take steroids

A recent study found that more than half of boys ages 11 to 17 chose as their physical ideal an image possible to attain only by using steroids

Males are experiencing body image anxiety at increasingly younger ages

One-third of girls and almost as many boys said they frequently thought about wanting more toned or defined muscles

http://www.drugstory.org/pdfs/musclemadness2.pdf

http://www.active.com/story.cfm?story_id=12212&sidebar=574&category=wellness

1) Athletic Performance2) Increase Muscle Size/Reduce Body

Fat3) History of Physical Abuse4) Part of a Pattern of At-Risk Behavior

What are the adverse effects of steroids?

Long-term effects: In adolescents, steroids can signal the bones to stop growing Steroid abuse has been associated with cardiovascular

diseases, even in athletes younger than 30 Steroids have been linked to liver and other forms of cancer An undetermined percentage of steroid abusers become

addicted to the drug and experience withdrawal symptoms

Short-term effects Studies suggest that steroids increase irritability and

aggression, it is known as “roid rage” Steroids have been reported to cause mood swings,

depression, distractibility, forgetfulness, and confusion Acne, especially on the back, is a common side effect of

steroids

http://www.drugabuse.gov/PDF/RRSteroi.pdf

Sex-specific adverse effects of steroids

In boys and men: Reduced sperm production Shrinking of testicles Baldness Irreversible breast enlargement

In girls and women: Decreased breast size Deepening of the voice Body hair Baldness Menstrual irregularities

http://www.drugabuse.gov/PDF/RRSteroi.pdf

National programs for steroid prevention

Due to the secrecy surrounding steroid use and the relative small numbers of steroid users there are few local programs to prevent steroid use

NIDA’s “Game Plan” included launching a website, distribution of bulletins, posters, and other resources for information on steroids

NIDA supported the foundation of ATLAS and ATHETAS, gender specific model programs to prevent steroid abuse in Oregon High Schools

The research shows that incorporating peer-led drug abuse prevention and health promotion curricula into sport team settings is effective

http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages/steroids.html

Legislative approach for steroid prevention

California was the first state to establish steroid rules specifically for high-school students in 2005

CIF implemented 3 anti-steroids measures in 2005:• A written pledge signed by students• Mandated education and training in steroids and

muscle-building dietary supplements for the state's coaches to help them spot steroid use and warn players about the health dangers

• A prohibition on school sponsorships from any muscle-building supplements and a ban on any school staff members encouraging or distributing muscle-building supplements. Violators would be subject to personnel actions by their schools or districts

A handful of schools are already testing for steroids, including Brawley Union High (CA)

The high cost testing for steroids - $50 to $150 dollars per test – is the biggest deterrent for testing

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/2005-05-04-hs-steroids-cover_x.htm

Conclusion

The use of anabolic steroids in adolescents is particularly important because not all steroid users experience the same adverse effects, and many serious problems require months or years to develop

Young people should be educated anabolic steroids are dangerous drugs with realistic messages and not “scare tactics”

Experts suggest that even a limited random testing program is better than nothing

The research shows that incorporating peer-led drug abuse prevention and health promotion curricula into sport team settings is effective

http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages/steroids.html

http://teens.drugabuse.gov/

http://www.steroidabuse.gov/

http://www.cifstate.org/

Additional Resources