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Teens at Risk for Stunted Growth?

Teens who abuse steroids before the typical adolescent growth spurt risk staying short and never reaching their full adult height. Why? Because the body is programmed to stop growing after puberty. When hormone levels reach a certain point, the body thinks it has already gone through puberty. So, bones get the message to stop growing way too soon. [1]

Steroid Abuse Can Be Fatal

When steroids get into the body, they go to different organs and muscles. Steroids affect individual cells and makes them create proteins. These proteins spell trouble. [6]

The liver, for example, can grow tumors and develop cancer. Steroid abusers may also develop a rare condition called peliosis hepatic in which blood-filled cysts crop up on the liver. Both the tumors and cysts can rupture and cause internal bleeding.

Steroids are no friend of the heart, either. Abusing steroids can cause heart attacks and strokes, even in young athletes. Here's how: Steroid use can lead to a condition called atherosclerosis, which causes fat deposits inside arteries to disrupt blood flow. When blood flow to the heart is blocked, a heart attack can occur. If blood flow to the brain is blocked, a stroke can result. [1]

To bulk up the artificial way-using steroids-puts teens at risk for more than liver disease and cardiovascular disease. Steroids can weaken the immune system, which is what helps the body fight against germs and disease. That means that illnesses and diseases have an easy target in a steroid abuser. [7]

By injecting steroids by needle, teens can add HIV and hepatitis B and C to their list of health hazards. Many abusers share non-sterile "works" or drug injection equipment that can spread life-threatening viral infections. [5]

Steroids Can Cause Extreme Mood Changes

Steroids can also mess with your head. Research shows that high doses of steroids can cause extreme fluctuations in emotions, from euphoria to rage. That's right. Rage can come from how steroids act on your brain. [7]

Your moods and emotions are balanced by the limbic system of your brain. Steroids act on the limbic system and may cause irritability and mild depression. Eventually, steroids can cause mania, delusions, and violent aggression or "roid rage." [5]

Steroids' Disfiguring Effects

Last, but not least, steroids have disfiguring effects-severe acne, greasy hair, and baldness (in both guys and girls). [1]

The bottom line is: Science proves the serious risks of steroid use.

References

1.	National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Steroid Abuse and Addiction (http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Steroids/AnabolicSteroids.html): NIH Pub. No. 00-3721. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 1991. Reprinted 1994, 1996. Revised April, 2000.
2.	National Institute on Drug Abuse. Commonly Abused Drugs Chart (http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/DrugsofAbuse.html): Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS, 2000.
3.	National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA InfoFacts: Steroids (Anabolic-Androgenic) (http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofax/steroids.html): Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Retrieved June 2000.
4.	National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA InfoFacts: High School and Youth Trends (http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofax/HSYouthtrends.html): Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Retrieved June 2003.
5.	National Institute on Drug Abuse. Mind Over Matter: The Brain's Response to Steroids (http://teens.drugabuse.gov/mom/mom_ster1.asp): NIH Pub. No. 00-3858. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 1997. Reprinted 1998, 2000
6.	National Institute on Drug Abuse. Mind Over Matter: The Brain's Response to Drugs Teacher's Guide (http://teens.drugabuse.gov/mom/tg_intro.asp): NIH Pub. No. 020-3592. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 1997. Reprinted 1998, 2002. Revised 2000.
7.	Pope, H.G., Jr.; Kouri, E.M.; and Hudson, J.I. Effects of supraphysiologic doses of testosterone on mood and aggression in normal men: A randomized controlled trial. Archives of General Psychiatry 57(2):133-140, 2000.

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