Updated on February 6, 2024
4 min read

Anabolic Steroid Addiction and Abuse

Key Takeaways

What Are Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids?

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic hormones that mimic male sex hormones. Doctors prescribe them to help with certain conditions, such as anemia or low testosterone (low-T) levels.

Some people use anabolic-androgenic steroids illegally to enhance muscle growth. People in good health take them to promote muscle growth, decrease body fat, and improve athletic performance.

Although it might seem as if the benefits of using steroids are positive, they're harmful and potentially fatal. Steroid addiction can affect the body long after they are no longer in use, especially when taken by adolescents.

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Are Anabolic Steroids Addictive?

Yes, steroid use disorder is possible when abusing steroids. Someone with the condition continues to use it even with negative consequences.

The physical problems, mood swings, and other negative side effects won’t deter their use. They also prioritize steroids over other responsibilities, such as family obligations, financial security, and work or school. Some even try to quit steroid use and fail.

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What are Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids Addiction Symptoms?

Long-term misuse of steroids can have detrimental effects on the brain. It can impact various pathways and chemicals that other drugs influence, including dopamine, serotonin, and opioid systems.

Those who abuse steroids may experience both physical and psychological signs of addiction, including:

  • Steroid cravings
  • Tolerance
  • Mood swings
  • Physical effects of extended steroid use that vary by gender
  • Prioritizing steroid use over other things in life

What are Common Patterns of Steroid Misuse?

Common patterns of steroid misuse include:

  • Stacking: People who abuse steroids take doses up to 100 times the regular amount or use more than one type of steroid at a time. This practice results in faster increases in muscle mass. Some abusers even have a system in which they cycle their steroid use, gradually increasing their dosage over a six to 12-week period.
  • Cycling: It involves taking multiple doses for a certain amount of time, stopping consumption, and then starting using them again.
  • Plateauing: You take higher doses to achieve the same effects when drug tolerance develops. When it comes to steroids, users may overlap, alternate, or substitute with a different steroid to avoid building a tolerance.

Another concern is muscle dysmorphia, which causes a distorted self-perception where you perceive yourself as weak or small despite being muscular. This is akin to the misperceptions of those with eating disorders.

What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Steroid Dependency?

Withdrawal can occur if you're dependent on steroids. Approximately 32 percent of people who misuse anabolic steroids become dependent and will experience withdrawal upon stopping steroid use.1

Steroid withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Headaches
  • Muscle aches
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Loss of appetite
  • Mood swings
  • Reduced sex drive
  • Restlessness
  • Steroid cravings

Other Risks & Dangers of Steroids

In addition to the risks of anabolic steroid abuse, these are further concerns:

  • Poor self-esteem
  • Depression
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
  • Lack of health awareness
  • Preoccupation with weight or body shape
  • Eating disorders
  • Substance abuse
  • Injecting steroids increases the risk of contracting or transmitting HIV or hepatitis

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What are the Side Effects of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids?

Steroid use leads to several side effects, including:

  • Acne and hair loss
  • Breast growth in males and beard growth in females
  • Liver tumors and heart problems
  • Uncontrolled “roid rage” and violent mood swings

Anabolic steroids, as synthetic variations of the male sex hormone testosterone, disrupt the body's hormonal balance. For adolescents whose hormones are crucial for their development, misuse can lead to:

  • In teen boys: Increased risk of reduced sperm count, shrunken testicles, and gynecomastia
  • In teen girls: Interference with the development of feminine traits, resulting in deeper voices, male pattern hair growth, and decreased breast size

How Do Steroids Affect Long-Term Health?

The use of steroids might positively affect muscle growth, but this comes at a significant cost and poses major health risks. Steroids affect muscles, organs, and cell protein production, potentially leading to tumor development.

Additionally, steroids can cause peliosis hepatis, a condition involving blood-filled cysts in the liver. These cysts can rupture, causing internal bleeding.

Addiction Treatment & Recovery

To treat a steroid use disorder effectively, a program must address the physical dependence and the underlying causes of steroid use.

Successful treatment includes:

  • Support for muscle dysmorphia and other psychological issues that drive steroid use
  • Endocrine therapy to restore the body’s natural function
  • Medication to alleviate depression (endocrine therapy might help with this)
  • Medication and support for co-occurring conditions
  • Behavioral therapy and medications to manage withdrawal symptoms

It’s also important for a program to begin with withdrawal support. Easing withdrawal symptoms improves the chances of quick relapse.

Summary

The risks of abusing steroids are significant, as the body's reaction to synthetic testosterone can cause severe side effects and long-term health issues. Steroid users may experience physical and psychological signs of addiction.

If you're struggling with steroid use, seek professional help. They can help address the underlying issues driving your misuse and develop coping mechanisms for managing withdrawal symptoms.

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Updated on February 6, 2024

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