Addressing performance-enhancing drug abuse by adolescents
Common substances of abuse are not the only significant cause of concern for parents and guardians. Another addition to the list is performance-enhancing supplements. According to a 2016 report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the trend of performance-enhancing supplements being misused by non-athlete adolescents to enhance their appearance is quickly becoming a concern for parents and country authorities.
Report co-author Dr. Michele LaBotz said: “Doctors think performance-enhancing substance use is a problem for athletes, but many non-athletes use these substances to enhance appearance.”
American teenagers have been seen abusing a large number of such supplements, including steroids, protein powders, diet pills, etc. The lack of regulation regarding these supplements poses greater risks for adolescents who abuse such products. Boys generally use more protein, steroid, caffeine, and creatine supplements, while girls patronize over-the-counter weight-loss supplements.
According to experts, it is peer pressure that forces young people to accept such a risky proposition that poses many risks for users.
Abuse of performance-enhancing substances and cardiovascular problems
These supplements, which are often available without a prescription, are likely to be addictive and laced with steroids, toxic heavy metals such as lead and mercury, and stimulants. Dr. LaBotz said that these fortified supplements put adolescents at greater risk of becoming victims of cardiovascular problems. “If you’re one of the many teens already taking stimulants for ADHD, you’re increasing your risk of heart problems,” he said.
LaBotz said there are many irrevocable harmful effects of using these supplements, as the use of some steroids could lead to stunted growth and growth of man boobs, which are difficult to reduce even after discontinuation of the supplements.
The most prominent negative impact of the abuse of these performance-enhancing supplements is that they can lead to the abuse of other substances, such as alcohol or drugs, and adolescents may engage in other risky behaviors. LaBotz said several studies corroborate this finding. Parents of such adolescents should be more vigilant and regularly check their children to determine if they have become addicted to any substance. It could be a bigger mess fighting the misuse of supplements along with other illicit substances.
Therefore, it is only desirable to impart regular education on the dangers of supplements to both adolescents and their parents. In fact, parents play a bigger role in fighting this problem because teens themselves may not understand the potential threats these supplements pose. It is the duty of parents to help children understand the consequences of the use and misuse of these supplements and to urge them to refrain from their possible abuse.
Regardless of whether misuse of performance-enhancing supplements leads to addiction to other illegal drugs in teens or not, the side effects are enough to be life-threatening. The enactment of legislation to regulate such supplements in the near future would be a welcome change.
