Most parents are clueless about steroid use. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that steroid use among teenagers rose drastically from 1991-2003. The organization's survey revealed that 6 percent of the 15,000 students questioned in 2003 admitted to trying steroid pills or injections at least once.

Steroids are especially dangerous for youths because their bones are still developing. Steroids can stop bone growth and damage vital organs and only heighten the mood swings already present in youths.

Rutstein chronicles his personal road to hell and back and offers parents some clues to detect 'roid use by their children. "Not everyone gets the same side effects," he says. Some signs to consider: acne, stretch marks on the front of the shoulders, sudden weight gain — "You don't put on eight pounds in one month naturally," he says — a preoccupation with muscle magazines and posters, a preoccupation with lifting weights."

For his part, Rutstein tried repeatedly to quit, but he couldn't face the resulting deflation of his muscles. "For me, it was like losing a limb," he says. "My fake muscles were my self-esteem." Mirror watching, he notes, is one of the great pastimes of bodybuilders and steroid users. "The muscles that (steroids) produce look and feel real, but I knew they were just an illusion."

He experienced warning signs: blood rushing from his nose and mouth, insomnia, depression, irritability, irrational behavior. After quitting steroids, he got worse for a time. For six weeks he barely slept or ate, he trained manically and he lost 45 pounds. His behavior grew so manic that his parents called police, fearing for his life. He was taken to a psychiatric hospital, where he was placed in a holding room. After he repeatedly tried to knock down the door, several men rushed him and sedated him. He remained there one month and then began the long road back.

"It took about a year before I could move from bed," he says of his post-steroid depression. "I was almost catatonic. I couldn't even focus on TV. I hoped I wouldn't wake up in the morning. What helped me the most was when I started to exercise again."

A guy who once curled 150 pounds was reduced to curling five pounds. Today he is a fit 175 pounds. He owns a personal training center. "Steroids aren't allowed," he says.

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