Identifying PED Use

It can be difficult to determine if a teen is using PEDs, especially sports supplements. Side effects vary from substance to substance and not everyone who uses PEDs will develop or suffer from the same effects. Know the potential side effects of each PED and watch teens that may be acting differently than usual.

• Anabolic Steroids
• Stimulants (amphetamines)
• Sports Supplements
• Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
• Blood Doping

Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroid use is probably the easiest to spot because of its physical and psychological side effects. Young men and women who use anabolic steroids usually develop oily skin and severe acne, especially on the back. Rapid weight gain and/or increase in muscle mass is another tell-tale sign of steroid use.

Because anabolic steroids are modifications of the hormone testosterone, they produce side effects unique to each gender.

“Roid rage,” severe angry outbursts, is a well-known side effect, and parents and coaches should be aware of the potential for severe depression that may result when teens stop using anabolic steroids.

It’s a good idea to have a medical or mental health care professional involved with a teen who wants to quit using steroids. Many teens that stop using steroids experience severe depression and suicidal thoughts. A medical or mental health care professional can help teens work through these feelings safely and win back their sense of well-being.

Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids

Men	Women
Development of breasts Male-pattern baldness Severe acne, especially on back Oily skin Increased body hair Shrunken testicles Impotence Sleep problems Muscle cramps and joint pain	Increased facial and body hair Severe acne, especially on back Oily skin Lower voice Clitoral enlargement Reduction in breast tissue Menstrual irregularities

Other side effects of Anabolic Steroids

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
• Bad breath
• Fluid retention (swelling of feet or ankles)
• Increased risk of ligament and tendon injuries
• Increase in “bad” cholesterol levels
• Increase in blood pressure
• Liver damage
• Cancers
• Stroke and blood clots
• Heart attacks
• Psychiatric effects, including violence, severe mood swings, panic attacks, depression and suicidal thoughts

Stimulants (amphetamines)

These substances, including caffeine and pseudoephedrine, are widely available and stimulate the central nervous system. Stimulants reduce fatigue, suppress appetite and increase alertness and aggressiveness. Side effects include increased heart rate and blood pressure, which can be extremely dangerous in people who have heart problems and can lead to dehydration and heat illnesses.

Side Effects of Stimulants

• Disrupted coordination
• Aggressive behavior
• Irritability
• Weight loss
• Difficulty sleeping
• Dehydration
• High blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Irregular heart beat
• Seizures/convulsions
• Brain hemorrhage
• Heart attack

Sports Supplements

The dangers of sports supplements stem from the fact that little is known about these substances and their side effects on the body.

There is little scientific evidence that establishes the long-term safety of using sports supplements, especially in people under the age of 18.

And because the sports supplement industry is largely unregulated, there’s no way to know what ingredients are in a product, the purity of those ingredients and the amount of each ingredient present. Allergic reactions to some contents of these products have been reported.

Using high doses of supplements containing creatine can damage the liver, kidneys and heart.

Side Effects of Sports Supplements

• Stomach cramps
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weight gain
• Water retention

Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

HGH is an external source of a substance naturally produced in very small amounts by the body. Because the body is so sensitive to HGH, artificially increasing the body’s levels of the hormone can lead to serious side effects like disfigurement and early death.

Side Effects of HGH

• Disfigurement caused by the excessive growth of bones
• Gigantism – characterized by large hands and feet, a pronounced jaw, separation of the teeth, weak muscles and enlarged heart
• Glucose intolerance or diabetes
• Joint and ligament problems
• Low thyroid activity
• Fluid retention
• Heart disease

Blood Doping

Blood doping, by either blood transfusion or the use of erythroprotein (EPO), increases the amount of blood in the body, which leads to an increase in red blood cells and improves the body’s ability to carry oxygen to muscles.

Blood doping, which can thicken the blood, can have serious, even life-threatening side effects.

Side Effects of Blood Doping

• Skin rash
• Flu-like symptoms – achy muscles and nausea
• Heart palpitations
• Dehydration
• High blood pressure
• Clogged arteries and veins
• Blood clots
• Elevated pressure in the brain, which can lead to swelling of the brain and seizures

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Sources:
Performance Enhancing Drugs: Dangerous, damaging and potentially deadly . Mayo Clinic. www.mayoclinic.com.
Mayo Clinic -- www.mayoclinic.com
Healthy Competition - - www.healthycompetition.org
National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign -- www.freevibe.com
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -- www.fda.gov
American College of Sports Medicine -- www.acsm.org