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Performance-enhancing drugs and your teen athlete
Why do teens take them?
Teens tend to deny their mortality and take risks that more mature people wouldn't consider. Here are some reasons teen athletes might consider taking performance-enhancing drugs.
- Pressure from parents or peers
- A desire to gain muscle mass
- A desire to be stronger
- A negative body image
- A tendency to compare their appearance with others', particularly those who use steroids
What you can do
Does your teen plan to compete for athletic scholarships? If so, he or she is under considerable pressure to succeed. And besides the pressure from coaches, parents and peers, teens place a lot of pressure on themselves. Not surprisingly, the pressure may contribute to the lure of performance-enhancing drugs and supplements.
Reassure your teen of your love and support — even when your child doesn't perform well in competitive sports. If you're worried that your teen may be using performance-enhancing drugs or supplements, here's what you can do:
- Be clear about your expectations as a parent. Tell your teen that unless the long-term effects of performance-enhancing drugs on young athletes are known to be safe, you expect him or her to avoid them. Set rules. For example, if your son or daughter uses performance-enhancing drugs, he or she has to quit the team. Teach your teen that short-term gains can lead to long-term problems.
- Discuss ethics and proper training. Athletes should compete fairly. Remind your son or daughter that using a performance-enhancing drug is similar to cheating, but even more importantly, could lead to serious health problems or even death. Another key message is that a balanced diet and rigorous training are the true keys to athletic performance. Encourage your teen to feel good about his or her sports performance.
- Talk with your teenager's coach. Let the coach know you've talked with your teen and that you don't approve of performance-enhancing drugs. Ask the coach about the school's position on performance-enhancing drugs. Another option is to contact the athletic director of your local school district.
- Monitor your teen's purchases. Take a close look at the over-the-counter preparations your teenager takes. Check closely to see what the ingredients are.
- Monitor for signs of drug use. Signs your son may be taking anabolic steroids include increased acne and male-pattern baldness. If your daughter takes anabolic steroids, she may develop male characteristics, such as a deep voice or dark facial hair. Teens who take anabolic steroids may seem unusually moody and have angry outbursts known as 'roid rage.
All children have health education in school. But ultimately it's up to you to talk with your son or daughter about performance-enhancing drugs. Remember — teens are smart, they ask tough questions, and they tend to deny risks to their health. So do your best to convey the message that performance-enhancing drugs are risky business.
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- Castillo EM, et al. Prevalence of use of performance-enhancing substances among United States adolescents. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2007;54:663.
- Tips for teens: The truth about steroids. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information. http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/phd726/. Accessed Oct. 24, 2008.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse research report series: Anabolic steroid abuse. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health. http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Steroids/Anabolicsteroids.html. Accessed Oct. 24, 2008.
- Steroid precursors can block teen athletes from their goals. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://family.samhsa.gov/be/athblocked.aspx. Accessed Oct. 24, 2008.
- Gregory AJM, et al. Sports medicine: Performance-enhancing drugs. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2007;54:797.
- American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness. Use of performance-enhancing substances. Pediatrics. 2005;115:1103.
- van den Berg P, et al. Steroid Use Among Adolescents: Longitudinal findings From Project EAT. Pediatrics. 2007;119:476.
