Anabolic Steroids and Adolescent Peer Pressure

Adolescence is a unique transitional stage during which teens are no longer children, but not yet adults.  It’s a time when teens discover who they are, and contemplate who they want to become.  During this stage teenagers face challenging decisions many of which are influenced by peers.  Illicit drugs invariably become one of these decisions, and several are electing to use androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS).

“Peer pressure” is the term used to describe situations in which members of the same age group influence each other’s decisions.  We’re not talking about body piercing or who to date.  Peer pressure with regard to teens can be a powerful reality manifested in variety of negative ways.  According to the Department of Health and Human Services, “It often challenges the teenagers’ morals, values and beliefs in such areas as experimentation with tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs.”  During this normal part of the maturation process parents and teens become more physically and psychologically independent of each other, while peers begin to replace the family as the teen’s socialization center.  By the time a teenager reaches high school, they’ve doubtlessly heard these phrases several times: 

“I’m going for it, who’s with me?” 
“Come on, it won’t kill you.”
“All the popular kids are doing it.”
“Everyone is doing it.”
“What are you afraid of?”

Resisting Peer Pressure

“To think is to say no.”

 –Emily-Auguste Chartier

By the time they reach adolescence, kids have a firm grasp of right and wrong.  Most kids give into peer pressure because they don’t want to stand out.  They simply want to be accepted, and will often justify behaviors by making excuses for what are clearly irrational decisions.  But when it comes to drug use, it’s hard to pass up an offer without standing out.  Although easier in succession, it is still quite difficult to be the only person who stands up and says no to the group.  Remaining true to one’s morals, and considering a choice before acting can help teens navigate potentially harmful slopes.  No one should harm their body by taking illegal substances just to fit in.  You alone must deal with the repercussions of your decision.  Damaged internal organs can hospitalize you, and should your decision turn fatal it will be your corpse lying in the coffin.  This may seem hard to believe, but often the pressuring parties are seeking approval for their behaviors.  So remember that your denial could also assist others in making right decisions.  

The Parents Role

Although friends become more influential at this point in life, teens do not forget the teachings instilled at home.  Parents often believe that their teenagers no longer value their opinions, but studies indicate the opposite is true.  Parents are encouraged to discuss ways to combat peer pressure with their children.  Role playing and rehearsing different scenarios are among many of the beneficially fortifying lessons at a parent’s disposal, and the earlier this topic is addressed the better the result.  According to ‘Parenting of Adolescents’, there are six ways to teach your child to say no:

1. No thanks.
2. I don’t feel like it.
3. It’s not my thing.
4. Are you talking to me?  Forget it!
5. Why do you keep pressuring me when I’ve said NO?
6. Back Off!
    

Roid Pressure

Some people feel that the sport of professional bodybuilding is to blame for steroid pressures.  After all, bodybuilding is a contradictory practice in name, method and ideals.  Instead of building as the name implies, it systematically diminishes health by increasing bodyweight, wearing on joints, risking both chronic and acute injuries, and deteriorating one’s health.  Although it does provide some mental health benefits like increased self-esteem, self-discipline and self-empowerment, these are greatly outweighed by the promotion of insecurity, shame, and the portrayal of unrealistic physical goals.  In ‘The Word’, author and professional bodybuilder Paul Dillet states, “Although it is undeniable that these individuals are using steroids, I think the professionals do have some degree of responsibility to conduct themselves in a professional manner at least when they are in public.

I feel that too many young males are being brought up to admire and try to achieve a specific physique that they are not physically and genetically capable of achieving without the use of steroids.” Sadly many teens fall deeply into steroid abuse and begin to borrow and even steal money to finance their habits.  Dillet goes on to say, “The recreational use of drugs in bodybuilding is just out of control!  I’m not here to label or judge anyone.  What people do with their lives is their own business.  I think there are better ways to spend your money because the amount of money they’re spending every month on these drugs is two car payments on an SL500!  Personally, I’d like to drive the nice car, work hard for my physique, and have money left over!” 

Coach’s Influence

Positive Peer Pressure

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