title: Human growth hormone abuse in male weightlifters.
abstract: In a study of performance-enhancing substance use among 231 experienced young male weightlifters, we found that 27 (12%) reported illicit use of human growth hormone (HGH) or its bioactive derivative, insulin-like growth factor-1. All of these 27 men also reported use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and 22 (81%) met criteria for current or past AAS dependence. Fifteen (56%) also reported current or past dependence on opioids, cocaine, and/or ecstasy. These findings suggest that among young male weightlifters, illicit HGH use has become a common form of substance abuse, frequently associated with both AAS dependence and classical substance dependence.
authors.affiliation: Biological Psychiatry Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478, USA. bbrennan@partners.org
authors.forename: Brian P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Gen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kanayama
authors.forename: James I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Harrison G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Pope
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000728:Androgens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000728:Androgens; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I