Drug Education Parent Booklet

30 WHAT ARE THEY? Performance and image-enhancing drugs are substances that are used to try to enhance a person’s appearance or physical abilities, either by growing muscle or reducing body fat. The main substances that are used for this purpose are: ● Human and animal anabolic and androgenic steroids ● Human growth hormone ● Other reproductive hormones ● Diuretics Performance and image-enhancing drugs are sometimes called steroids, roids, juice, and gear. EFFECTS OF PERFORMANCE AND IMAGE-ENHANCING DRUGS Initially, performance and image-enhancing drugs can cause mood changes, such as euphoria (intense feelings of happiness), increased confidence and self-esteem, more energy and motivation to exercise. People who use these drugs feel less tired and may have trouble sleeping. Libido (interest in sex) commonly increases but can decrease. Performance and image-enhancing drugs can cause problems when competing in sporting competitions. Many of the substances are banned because of the health risks involved, the shame it brings to sport as a whole, and in order to encourage fair competition. For these reasons, use of performance and image-enhancing drugs can result in disqualification from competition, as well as harming an athlete’s long-term sporting career and reputation. Effects of performance and image-enhancing drugs vary, but may include: PHYSICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL FOR MALES FOR FEMALES ● Acne (e.g. pimples) ● High blood pressure ● Liver problems ● Heart problems ● Increased cholesterol levels ● Hair loss/baldness ● Sleeplessness ● Headaches ● Tendon injuries/ligament damage ● Permanent short stature in adolescents ● Water retention ● Dependence* ● Increased aggression (e.g. ‘roid rage’) ● Increased irritability ● Mood swings ● Mania ● Mental health problems (such as depression and anxiety) ● Gynaecomastia (abnormal growth of breasts) ● Shrinking testicles ● Prostate problems ● Clitoral enlargement ● Smaller breasts ● Deepening of the voice FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ● Stunted growth (when high hormone levels from steroids signal to the body to stop bone growth too early) ● Stunted height (if teens use steroids before their growth spurt) * See Glossary on page 36 PERFORMANCE AND IMAGE-ENHANCING DRUGS