abusers because athletes such as football players can release a good share of their rage on the playing field. Some severe addictions can include symptoms such as increased libido, sexual perversion, and psychotic episodes (Voy, pg. 223). Because of the severe results of steroid addiction, it is an effective measure of the abuser's family and friends to take necessary action in order to help an abuser with his addiction. Adolescent steroid abusers can also experience complex physiological and psychological problems, some of which result in permanent effects. For some reason, a widespread use of these so-called "natural drugs" has become apparent among the teenage age group in the last four to five years. They seem to believe such drugs such as Marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms do not have damaging effects on their bodies because they are natural substances. Just because Marijuana comes from a plant found in nature, or the suddenly popular hallucinogenic mushrooms found in farm pastures that grow naturally, does not mean they are not going to have harmful effects on the body. These substances that teenagers use are toxins produced by the plants to keep animals and humans from eating them. Although steroids are a form of the natural male hormone, testosterone, they are far higher in concentration then what our bodies produce naturally. This high concentration is no doubt toxic to our bodies, and can result in harmful side effects. At an early age, anything, such as drugs, is going to have an increased effect. Most teenagers are unaware of these enhanced effects that steroids have on them, thus making the drug increasingly dangerous. The massive doses, medical experts say, not only affect the muscles, but also sex organs and nervous system including the brain (Schrof, pg. 235). Neil Carolan warns us, "Even a brief period of abuse on a child whose body and brain chemistry are still developing is extremely harmful and possibly permane...
