Quick overview: Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of testosterone that some teens use to build muscle or change how they look, increasingly driven by social media trends like “looksmaxxing.” Using them without a prescription is illegal and can cause lasting harm to a still-growing body. The good news: parents have real influence. This guide covers the warning signs, the actual risks, and how to start the conversation.
You hear the word “steroids” and you might think of pro athletes caught cheating or bodybuilders on TV. But here’s the truth: steroids are showing up in high schools, gyms, and on our kids’ phones — and many parents have no idea. If you have a teenager who plays sports, works out, or worries about how they look, this article is for you.
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The steroids we’re talking about here are called anabolic steroids — not the same ones a doctor might give your child for asthma or an allergic reaction. Anabolic steroids are man-made versions of testosterone, the male hormone. They can make muscles grow faster and help the body recover more quickly after hard exercise.1
Doctors do prescribe anabolic steroids sometimes for things like serious hormonal problems or certain types of anemia. But when teens get them without a prescription and use them to build muscle or get faster, that’s illegal and dangerous.2
This is the part that surprises a lot of parents: it’s not just star athletes or kids trying to get a college scholarship. Plenty of teens who aren’t on any team are using steroids, too.
The main reasons kids try them include wanting bigger muscles, losing body fat, looking better, and keeping up with teammates or friends. Some teens feel like their body is too small or not muscular enough — a condition sometimes called “bigorexia” — and they turn to steroids to fix that feeling.3 Social media makes this worse, with constant images of “perfect” bodies that look like they belong to superheroes.
Additionally, a trend has risen in popularity over the past few years known as “looksmaxxing.” This refers to young adults, particularly young men and boys, taking aggressive, often dangerous, action to adhere to hypermasculine appearance standards. One teen recently told CBS he took steroids specifically because of “looksmaxxing.”4
The pressure to perform in sports plays a big role, too. Research has found that the push to start using steroids can begin as early as 9th or 10th grade, when younger athletes are influenced by older students to bulk up quickly and move to the next level.5
And steroid use among pros in the news? That sends a message to kids that these drugs work, even if adults know better.6
More than you might think. According to national survey data from the NIH and NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), about 0.6% of students in grades 8, 10, and 12 reported using steroids in 2023.7 That might sound small, but when you multiply it across millions of students, it adds up to a lot of kids.
A broader national study found that nearly 3% of all high school students — about 5% of boys and 1.4% of girls — reported using anabolic steroids without a prescription.8 And research shows that both boys and girls use them, though boys use them at higher rates.9
One of the most alarming findings: many teens don’t think steroids are dangerous. A national survey found that about 18% of high school seniors don’t see a serious risk in trying steroids once or twice.10 That gap between what’s real and what teens believe is exactly where the trouble starts.
This is a tough one for parents to hear, but teens can get steroids pretty easily. Here are the main ways:
At the gym. When teens join a gym — especially one focused on bodybuilding or serious weightlifting — they may be offered steroids by other members or even trainers. As one gym owner put it: “When a lot of teens join a gym, they aren’t looking for what exercise and diet to follow, but what drugs to take.”11
Online. The internet has made steroids easier to find than ever. Kids can browse websites, forums, and even social media accounts that sell performance-enhancing drugs. Many of these sites are based overseas, making them hard to shut down. Buying online is especially risky because there’s no way to know if the product is real, safe, or contains what the label says it does.12
From friends and teammates. Word-of-mouth is still a big source. A teammate who’s already using may offer to hook someone up, or a friend might share what they ordered online.
From a black market dealer. Steroids are a controlled substance, meaning they require a prescription from a doctor. People who sell them illegally operate on what’s called the “black market” — unregulated, unsafe, and against the law.13
Prices for anabolic steroids can change a lot. That’s because they are usually sold illegally, and there are no rules to keep prices steady or products safe.
The biggest thing that affects the price is where the steroid comes from and how “good” people think it is. Some steroids are made by real drug companies and then sold illegally. These are often called “human-grade.” They cost more because people believe they are cleaner and have the right dose.
But most steroids are made in illegal labs, often called underground labs. These labs use raw powders to make the drugs, and there is no way to be sure what’s really in them.
For example, a common injectable steroid like testosterone might cost anywhere from $20 to $100 for one small bottle. The price can change based on where it’s sold, how much people trust the seller, and whether it comes from the U.S. or another country.14
For teens, the cost may be lower depending on what they’re buying and where, but even inexpensive black market products come with a hidden price: you have no idea what’s really in them. They may be watered down, mislabeled, made in unsafe conditions, or laced with other dangerous substances.15
The financial cost is only part of it. The real price is paid in health — sometimes for the rest of their lives.
Here’s where parents really need to pay attention. Steroids might seem like a shortcut to a better body, but the damage they can do — especially to a still-growing teen — is serious and sometimes permanent.
Physical Health Risks
For all teens:16
For boys specifically:17
For girls specifically:18
Steroids mess with the brain, not just the body. Some teens using steroids may:19
When teens stop using steroids, the withdrawal can be rough: loss of appetite, sleep problems, exhaustion, more mood swings, and deep depression.20
Some teens who use steroids struggle with something called Body Dysmorphic Disorder, or body dysmorphia. This means they may see their body in a way that isn’t accurate. For example, they might feel too small or not muscular enough, even if they are already strong and healthy. Steroids can make muscles grow faster, but they don’t fix how someone feels about their body. In fact, they can make those worries worse and harder to manage over time.
Using steroids without a prescription is illegal under federal law. Teens caught with them could face fines, legal trouble, and a permanent record. Student athletes can be banned from their sport, lose scholarships, or be disqualified from competitions.21
Parents often don’t know their child is using steroids until the damage is done. Here are some signs to look for:22
If you see these signs, don’t panic — but do act. Talk calmly with your teen, and consider reaching out to their doctor.
It might feel awkward to bring it up, but research shows that kids who talk with their parents about drug risks are less likely to use drugs than those who don’t.
Here are a few tips:
Steroids are not just a problem for elite athletes or kids at sketchy gyms. They’re showing up in ordinary high schools, and teens can find them with a few clicks online or a conversation at the weight room. The risks are real, serious, and sometimes permanent — especially for young people whose bodies are still growing.
The good news? You have more influence over your teen than you might think. Staying informed, keeping the conversation open, and knowing where to turn for help makes a real difference.
If you need more guidance, please reach out to our helpline specialists for free and confidential support.
It’s less common than vaping or alcohol, but more common than many parents assume. In the 2024 Monitoring the Future survey, about 0.6%–1.0% of students across 8th, 10th, and 12th grade reported past-year use, and rates have edged up since 2021. Our own research found 1 in 5 teens say a friend uses steroids.
Rapid muscle gain, sudden aggression or mood swings, severe acne (especially on the back and shoulders), needle marks or vials, and secrecy about workouts or supplements. A key clue is how fast the body is changing — real muscle growth takes years, not weeks.
Most use comes down to body image and pressure — wanting to look bigger or leaner, keeping up with teammates, or chasing the physiques they see online. Trends like “looksmaxxing” and muscle dysmorphia (“bigorexia”) intensify that pressure, and nearly half of seniors underestimate the risk.
They can be. Research links early use of muscle-building supplements with a higher likelihood of later steroid use. Supplements aren’t proof anything is wrong, but they’re a good reason to start a low-key conversation about goals and pressures.
Lead with curiosity, not accusation. Ask what they’re seeing online or hearing at the gym, use news stories as openers, and keep it to small, regular check-ins rather than one confrontation. Staying calm keeps the door open.
Stay calm, talk with them directly, and consider involving their doctor for an evaluation. You can also call our free, confidential helpline to think through next steps with a specialist before you act.