Signs of Steroid Use
Large muscle gains in a short period of time.
Increased time spent in the gym and preoccupation with weight training.
Dramatic changes in personality, such as moodiness, aggression, and hostility.
Breast development in males (and facial hair growth for females).
Increased acne on the back, face, and chest.
Facial puffiness due to increased water retention.
Needle marks on buttocks or thighs.
Increased blood pressure and heart rate.
Reference to steroids in conversation, such as “roids,” “juice,” or “sauce.”
Signs of Disordered Eating
Addiction to exercise.
Overcompensation for a missed workout.
Secret workouts not with the team.
Early exit from the dinner table.
More time spent alone.
Frequent emotional outbursts.
Fatigue, irritability, and mood changes.
Mark Fuerst is a free-lance health and medical writer living in Brooklyn. He is the co-author of 9 books, including Sports Injury Handbook.
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Kathy Smith, Roanoke, VA 03/21/08
Something not mentioned here is wrestler's struggles to "make weight". Boys are wrestling at weights that are not healthy, too low for their naturally growing bodies, and they starve themselves to make weight and then binge eat. Some of them spit for hours to try to lose weight! The younger boys learn all of the bad habits of the older ones, while the coaches look the other way or are unaware.
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