How can I tell if my High School Athlete is on the juice

The negative effects anabolic steroids can have on the human body can be devastating. They range from a minor case of oily skin, to major long-term health complications, and potentially death.  Fortunately, steroids have a variety of side effects, or changes experienced by the mind and body of a user.  These changes basically fit into three categories:

1. Internal changes such as high blood pressure or out of range liver values;
2. More private or personal changes like testicular atrophy (significant shrinking of the testicles); and
3. Noticeably external changes like severe acne or increased aggression. 

Should you suspect your child, sibling or friend of using anabolic steroids, you can look for a variety of short-term side effects that appear as symptoms.  These include visible changes in appearance, mood and behavior.  The following information will make it easier for you to identify the specific symptoms, changes and habits of a steroid user. 

Physical changes are typically the most pronounced short-term symptoms as they are not easily concealed by the novice user and include:

• Unusually greasy hair or oily skin (often with stretch marks on the inner joints)
• Small red or purplish acne, including breakouts on the shoulders and back
• Gynocomastia, the abnormally excessive development of the breast tissue in males
• Persistent bad breath
• Thinning hair throughout the head or receding hairline (male pattern baldness)
• Increased length and thickness in hair (on body parts other than the head)
• Hair loss in bed, shower, comb or brush
• Jaundice or yellowing of the skin; this signals liver damage
• Skin eruptions and infections, such as abscesses and cysts
• Drastic appetite shifts (extreme hunger or lessened/loss of appetite)
• Joint pain; greater chance of injuring muscles and tendons
• Disrupted sleep patterns (not sleeping well or sleeping too much)
• Fluid level changes, bloating (face & body), and night sweating
• Dizziness, trembling, nausea or vomiting
• Rapid or progressive weight gain
• Increased muscle size (sudden or progressive)
• Hyperactivity or lethargy (too little energy)
• Trouble urinating; discoloration or blood in urine
• Rare and occasional side effects

Personality and Psychiatric changes often happen suddenly and without visible triggers or reasons.  They include:

• Extreme mood swings
• Increased aggression or irritability
• Becomes disrespectful or abusive (verbally and/or physically)
• Poor decision making stemming from feelings of invincibility
• Becomes secretive and/or starts lying
• Withdraws from family members
• Depression (usually when steroids are discontinued)
• Hallucinations - seeing or hearing things that aren't there
• Paranoia - extreme feelings of mistrust or fear

Social changes may be mistaken for natural teenage distancing or independence.  These are:

• Closes and/or locks bedroom door more often
• Takes longer showers or baths (this time is often used for injecting)
• Phone conversations become more private
• Begins receiving more packages in the mail
• Asks for money more often, or has more money than usual
• Is stealing or losing belongings
• Begins taking naps and/or falls asleep in class
• Loss of focus or concentration (at work, school or home)
• Decline in grades
• Forgets plans, dates and activities
• Loss of interest in friends, or suddenly gains new friends