Which is a worse problem: steroids or alcohol(ism)?
Hi Doug:
In the Congressional hearings, one of the fathers indicated
his son took drugs to mitigate depression caused by steroids.
(This father also mentioned pimples on his son’s upper body,
abnormal aggressiveness, and increase of 30 pounds … none
of which the dad recognized as steroid abuse at the time.)
Judging from the news it seems likely that young athletes
on steroids would likely turn to drug or alcohol abuse…
moreso than young athletes not taking them.
Parents are concerned that drugs, alcohol and steroids are
causing anti-social and violent behavior in their kids and are
seeking ways to help their children.
Showing parents how to recognize early-stage alcohol or
substance abuse by their youngsters can have strong
book market appeal.
Steve
I responded:
No. They are addicts; therefore, they are more willing to try other drugs, including steroids. The son took drugs, experienced the highs and lows, was misdiagnosed as depressive and happened to use steroids along the way (which may act synergistically with the other drugs). Young athletes are more likely addicts because their addiction drives in them a need to inflate the ego. They are also more likely to be children of alcoholics, who drive even the non-addicts or those who have not yet triggered addiction to accomplish more than they otherwise might, in a bid to inflate the parents’ egos.
And the problem with teaching parents to recognize addiction is that so many are addicts themselves (about 40% of addicted children have at least one addict parent; 40% of children of addicts develop addiction).