Abuse of anabolic steroids among adolescents has become a concern because of increased use in the 1990s. NIDA states that abuse of anabolic steroids is motivated by the desire to build muscles and improve sports performance. Some use these steroids because of misperceptions of their own bodies, like a belief that they look overweight or obese, NIDA also indicated in its Community Drug Alert Bulletin . This bulletin describes how anabolic steroids are taken and the health risks associated with abuse of these drugs. NIDA suggests presenting a balanced picture of what anabolic steroids can do for them and to them when discussing these drugs with students.
Most adolescents know that anabolic steroids build muscles and can increase athletic prowess.