For Parents & Safeguarding Leads
Signs and how to talk about it
Physical signs
- Rapid muscle gain disproportionate to training time
- Acne breakouts, especially on the back and shoulders
- Finding vials, syringes, or blister packs of tablets
- Injection marks on the glutes, thighs, or deltoids
- Water retention or a noticeably puffy face
- Sudden growth spurt stalling (in under-18s, steroids can fuse growth plates early)
- Stretch marks from unusually rapid muscle growth
Behavioural signs
- Obsessive focus on physique, frequent body-checking in mirrors
- Becoming secretive about supplements or packages arriving
- Mood swings: irritability, aggression, or emotional flatness
- Withdrawal from family or non-gym friends
- Increased unexplained spending
- New obsession with fitness influencers or manosphere content
- Sudden dietary rigidity: tracking macros, refusing family meals
- Declining academic performance or loss of interest in previous hobbies
✓What to say
Come from curiosity, not accusation
"I've noticed you've been really dedicated to the gym. Tell me about it."
Acknowledge their effort
"I can see how hard you've been working. I respect that."
Make it clear you won't punish or shame them
"I'm not here to judge. I just want to make sure you're safe."
✗What not to say
Don't lead with ultimatums or threats
"If you don't stop right now, I'll..."
Don't dismiss or belittle their reasons
"That's so vain" or "Real men don't need that"
Don't use scare tactics that aren't evidence-based
"You'll be dead by 30" (this will destroy your credibility)
Identifying use in under 18s
Steroid use among under-18s is rising sharply. Research suggests boys as young as 13 are now using. Their bodies are still developing, which makes the risks far more severe than for adult users.
Why under-18s are higher risk
- Growth plates can fuse prematurely, permanently stunting height
- The endocrine system is still maturing — steroids can cause lasting hormonal disruption
- Brain development continues until the mid-20s — steroids affect mood regulation, impulse control, and emotional processing
- Adolescents are more susceptible to body dysmorphia and psychological dependency
- Younger users are less likely to use harm reduction practices like blood work or sterile technique
What to look for in a school or youth setting
- A pupil whose physique has changed dramatically over a short period, especially during holidays
- Gym culture becoming the dominant identity within a peer group
- Language from manosphere or fitness influencer content: "looksmaxxing", "mewing", "getting on"
- Packages arriving at school or being exchanged between pupils
- A young person who suddenly avoids PE changing rooms (hiding injection marks)
- Increased aggression or confrontational behaviour out of character
- Conversations about protein powders and creatine escalating to SARMs and testosterone
The pipeline for young people
It almost always follows the same pattern. A young person feels insecure about their body. They start watching fitness content online. The algorithm pushes increasingly extreme content. They try supplements, then SARMs (sold as “legal steroids”), then injectable anabolic steroids. Each step feels like a small, logical progression. By the time needles are involved, they are already deep in.
SARMs are particularly dangerous for this age group because they are sold online as capsules, marketed as safe alternatives, and require no injection. Many under-18s start here without understanding they are taking research chemicals with no quality control.
What you need to know
Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of testosterone. They come as injectables, tablets, or gels. In the UK, they are legal to possess for personal use but illegal to supply. Most users source from unregulated underground labs.
- Cardiovascular: heart enlargement, cholesterol changes, higher risk of heart attack and stroke
- Hormonal: suppression of natural testosterone, potential infertility
- Psychological: mood swings, aggression, depression (especially post-cycle), body dysmorphia
- Under-18s: premature closure of growth plates, disrupted hormonal development
Why they started
Body insecurity: Many young men experience genuine distress about their bodies. Feeling small or weak can be deeply painful. Steroids feel like the only solution.
Social media: Platforms are saturated with steroid-enhanced physiques presented as natural. Young people compare themselves to an impossible standard.
The manosphere: Online communities promoting looksmaxing and blackpill ideology actively encourage steroid use. Read more on our manosphere page.
When to seek professional help
- They are under 18 and using or planning to use
- Significant personality changes: aggression, paranoia, extreme mood swings
- They express suicidal thoughts or self-harm
- Escalating use: higher doses, more compounds, shorter breaks
- Sharing needles or non-sterile injection practices
In an emergency: Call 999. For mental health crisis, call Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7).
Frequently asked questions
Steroid use under 18 carries additional risks because the body is still developing. The endocrine system, brain, bones, and organs are all still maturing. Steroids can interfere with natural growth, permanently affect hormonal development, and have more pronounced psychological effects on younger users. This is a situation where professional medical advice is strongly recommended.