The Truth About Steroids

How do steroids work? In the simplest terms, anabolic steroids are synthetic copies of the natural occurring male anabolic hormone know as testosterone. When occurring naturally in the body, this effects the maturing of the male reproductive system in puberty, including the growth of body hair and the deepening of the voice.  More specific to athletes, the hormone’s anabolic effect helps the body retain dietary protein, which aids in the development of muscles.

Anabolic steroids are designed to mimic the bodybuilding traits of testosterone. By using anabolic steroids, the amounts of testosterone are greatly increased in the body, which further aids the body in building muscles. It is this anabolic effect of steroids that attracts athletes looking to increase their muscle mass and strength.

More and more young athletes are looking to steroids as a shortcut to perform better. Yet, when athletes take steroids either orally or through injection, they are exposing their body and health to a wide variety of dangers.

While anabolic steroids have medical uses under a doctor’s prescription, it is very important to understand that anabolic steroids can have serious health consequences. Some side effects are visible to the naked eye while others occur inside the body.  In addition, some of these side effects are physical while others are emotional.  Although females and males experience different side effects, both sexes can experience the following when using steroids:

• Acne
• Liver damage
• Accelerated heart rate
• Blood vessel disease
• Liver tumors
• Feminizing effects in males (breast development)
• Masculinization effects in females (such as deepening of the voice and hair growth in generally unwanted areas)
• Stopping of growth, resulting in a shorter stature
• Angrier, more irritable, and aggressive moods
• Depression after steroid use is stopped

How do athletes obtain steroids? Young athletes might obtain anabolic steroids by purchasing them in the “back room” of health clubs or gyms, going to another country, from friends and acquaintances, or it can even be as easy as ordering them over the internet. Sometimes unethical physicians and unprincipled coaches might provide these drugs to athletes. Buying steroids without a doctor’s prescription is not only dangerous, it is also illegal.

Additionally, there are other dangers associated with acquiring steroids through illegal methods:

• The individual might not receive the drug that he/she thinks that was purchased (i.e., the pill could be another dangerous drug or a sugar pill).
• The individual might not receive the appropriate dosage (i.e., the batch of pills could be expired and be an inappropriate dosage).
• By using injectable steroids, an individual risks acquiring AIDS and/or hepatitis.

Even more frightening is that the side effects of steroid use might not develop for months, even years, after the young athlete has stopped using the drug.

It is important to understand why and how your young athletes might use anabolic steroids.  A primary goal of youth sport is to help young athletes learn important life lessons and develop a healthy, physically active lifestyle. Improving communication with your young athlete is a crucial part of this process.  The 6A’s provide a useful framework to assist parents and coaches in communicating with their young athletes about the dangers of using steroids.

ANTICIPATE (Have a silent dialogue with yourself)

Anticipate some of the steroid issues that relate to the young athlete’s sport experience.  Specifically:

• Ensure that young athletes understand the purposes of youth sport (such as having fun or learning new skills) and that steroid use may be counter to those purposes.
• Be aware that someone in the young athlete’s environment might be suggesting that he/she use steroids.
• Recognize that the young athlete should be educated about the negative consequences of steroids.
• Understand the significant influence of peers and other adults in the young athlete’s life.

ASK

Ask leading questions to the child, such as:

• What are the purposes of young sport?  (Keep in mind that the purpose of youth sport is to have fun, be physically active, and to develop new skills, not to “win-at all costs”).
• Why do you choose to participate in sports, and why do you play this particular sport? 
• What is your understanding about nutrition, dietary supplements, hydration, recreational drugs, and performance enhancing substances such as anabolic steroids?
• Who is the person that is most involved or influential in your athletic experiences and why?  (Parents and coaches should determine if other influential adults in the child’s life are proponents of a healthy youth sport experience or if they might be influencing the child to make unhealthy choices).

ADVICE

Provide young athletes with advice regarding how to make healthy sport choices. 

• Discuss the importance of healthy choices and good sportsmanship.  Emphasize that performance-enhancing drugs should be avoided.
• Talk about lifelong values learned and characteristics that are revealed through sport participation, such as determination, commitment, time management, teamwork, responsibility, a positive work ethic, and self-confidence.  Indicate that doing one’s best to continually improve through personal effort and discipline is a success in itself.
• Help your young athletes understand that sport participation is a privilege.  Discuss the importance of continually exhibiting good character and sportsmanship both on and off the field. 
• Try to explain to the young athletes that taking anabolic steroids is not just cheating, but that it is harmful to your body.  Explain the importance of making healthy choices and that he/she can be successful with hard work and determination.

ASSESS (Have a silent dialogue with yourself)

• What are my athletes’ understanding of steroids and healthy sport issues?
• What are the “red flags” that may hinder my athletes’ having a healthy youth sport experience?  For example, regarding steroids, have you seen recent weight gain disproportionate to typical growth, aggravation of acne, feminization in boys, masculinization in girls, or mood changes in the young athletes?
• Do I model to youth that I value working hard to achieve goals rather than using shortcuts to increase performance?  Could the children misinterpret my messages regarding steroid use?

ASSIST

We would recommend a twofold approach when communicating with young athletes.  Adolescent athletes respond well when they are provided with clear guidelines and expectations.  However, they are also developing as individuals and seeking opportunities to make their own choices to develop independence.  Be sure to maintain open lines of communication, emphasizing that the young athlete can ask for your advice or opinion if he/she wishes.  Below is an example of this twofold approach regarding communication about steroid use:

1. Set clear parameters, goals, and expectations for the athlete’s behavior. For example, regarding the use of anabolic steroids:
   - “You should not take anabolic steroids, they can be very harmful to your body.”
2. Empower the young athlete to be able to make good choices.
   - “I trust you and know you will make good choices to avoid using these drugs.”

ACTION

We believe that the most important “A” is Action- what you as a coach or parent can do.  We recommend that you:

• Teach, enforce, advocate, and model appropriate behaviors.
  - Conduct yourself in a manner that demonstrates good character and sportsmanship, representing the team in a positive manner.
  - Place more emphasis on sport enjoyment, having a healthy sport experience, having fun, and working hard rather than on final outcomes or “taking shortcuts” to enhance performance. 
  - Engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors around the young athletes and avoid negative behaviors such as using tobacco, alcohol, or drugs.
• Actively educate the young athletes about making healthy choices.  For example, provide them with information regarding the dangers of using anabolic steroids and reassure them that they can talk to you if they have any questions.
• Access other resources to help you to be a positive role model and create a healthy sport experience for your young athletes. 

Click here for the full report by Dr. Jim Stray-Gundersen about anabolic steroid use and its effects on young athletes.