What to Do When Your Wife Drinks Too Much
In This Article
Roid rage is a symptom of anabolic steroid use, which refers to outbursts of anger or violence.
People who experience roid rage may engage in irresponsible behavior, making them potentially dangerous towards themselves and other people.9
Steroid use without a prescription from a doctor is illegal and unsafe. Most of the people who misuse steroids are male weightlifters in their 20s and 30s.2
Listen In Q&A Format
What to Do When Your Wife Drinks Too Much
Addiction Group
What Are Anabolic Steroids?
An anabolic steroid is a type of medication that treats problems with male sex hormones. Doctors prescribe them to treat issues like delayed puberty and muscle loss from certain diseases.3
Some bodybuilders and athletes take anabolic steroids to gain muscle or as performance-enhancing drugs. Sometimes, they take doses that are higher than doctors would typically prescribe, leading to misuse.2
Do Steroids Really Make You Angry?
There are different types of steroids, and anger is not a side effect of all of them. However, anger is a possible side effect of anabolic steroid misuse.11
Long-term steroid use can cause mood swings.
The testosterone in these steroids can also contribute to various emotions that can trigger roid rages. These include:2
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Jealousy
- Irritation
Sponsored
Online Therapy Can Help
Over 3 million people use BetterHelp. Their services are:
- Professional and effective
- Affordable and convenient
- Personalized and discreet
- Easy to start
Answer a few questions to get started
Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids
Increased aggression, impulse control problems, and dangerous behavior aren't the only side effects of these steroids. Taking anabolic steroids can also cause various unpleasant side effects.
Abusing steroids can result in the following side effects:1
- Acne
- Oily skin
- Yellowing skin
- Bloating from water retention
- Joint pain
- Liver damage
- Infection
You should only take anabolic steroids under the supervision of licensed medical professionals. This can help you avoid experiencing any serious side effects from using anabolic steroids.
Long-Term Risks of Steroid Use
There are also long-term risks of abusing anabolic steroids. These include:1, 10
- Stunted growth (for teens)
- Stunted height (for teens)
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol or changes in blood cholesterol
- Enlarged heart
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Liver disease
- Liver cancer
- Kidney failure
However, it's important to know that you can experience specific side effects depending on your gender. These include:
Side Effects of Steroid Use on Men
Men may experience the following side effects:1, 10
- Breast development
- Shrunken testicles
- Low sperm count
- Infertility
- Baldness
- Prostate cancer
Side Effects of Steroid Use on Women
Women may experience the following side effects:1, 10
- Deepening voice
- Facial hair growth
- Changes to the menstrual cycle
- Stopped period
- Enlarged clitoris
Sponsored
Get Professional Help
BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor.
Answer a few questions to get started
Are Anabolic Steroids Addictive?
About 32 percent of people who misuse anabolic steroids become dependent.13
Your tolerance to steroids can also increase after misusing them. This means you'll need higher and more frequent doses to achieve the same effects.13
You won't experience "highs" from abusing anabolic steroids, unlike other drugs.1,4 However, you can still experience withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking anabolic steroids.1
Symptoms of Steroid Withdrawal
You can experience withdrawal symptoms because of the hormonal imbalance caused by abusing steroids. These withdrawal symptoms result from low levels of natural testosterone in the body.
Symptoms of steroid withdrawal include aggression, depression and/or anxiety, and mood swings.
- Aggression
- Depression and/or anxiety
- Mood swings
- Changes to sleep patterns
- Appetite changes
- A desire to take more steroids
These symptoms will persist until your body can restore its normal testosterone production.
Healthy Alternatives to Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic steroids are considered dangerous if they’re not taken as prescribed by a doctor to treat specific medical conditions.
If you are curious about taking steroids for muscle growth or athletic performance, consider these options instead:
- Work with a trainer, a nutritionist, or both: These professionals will be able to provide a workout and/or meal plan to help you achieve your fitness goals
- Consider a natural alternative: Creatine is a natural alternative to steroids that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for athletic performance5
- Try natural herbs: Ashwagandha withania somnifera (also known as ashwagandha) has been proven to increase strength12
- Dietary supplements and vitamins: Vitamins and supplements can help build muscle mass and strength; some examples include vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium5, 6, 7, 8
Only try these methods if your doctor has approved them. Remember that some supplements may interact with certain medications, so always check with your doctor before taking any.
Sponsored
Phone, Video, or Live-Chat Support
BetterHelp provides therapy in a way that works for YOU. Fill out the questionnaire, get matched, begin therapy.
Answer a few questions to get started
Treatment for Steroid Abuse
If you or someone you know is struggling with steroid addiction or substance abuse, help is available. Consult your doctor about addiction treatment options like rehabilitation centers and support groups near you.
Some examples include:
- Inpatient rehab: Involves checking yourself into a rehab facility for 24-hour medical supervision
- Outpatient rehab: A treatment program where you are freely allowed to leave the rehab facility
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: A short-term therapy technique explores the link between thought patterns and addiction
- Support groups: Groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) provide a much-needed community to help maintain sobriety
Summary
A violent burst of anger and aggression caused by anabolic steroid use is called "roid rage". This can lead to irresponsible and dangerous behavior.
Athletes may start taking steroids to improve athletic performance and increase muscle mass. Anabolic steroids are also linked to long-term side effects that can lead to medical complications.
Although they don't produce feelings of euphoria like other drugs, you can develop an addiction to anabolic steroids. Because of this, you should only take steroids under a licensed medical professional.
What's Next?
Sponsored
Get matched with an affordable mental health counselor
Find a TherapistAnswer a few questions to get started
- “Alcohol Questions and Answers.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 Jan. 2020.
- “Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 29 Apr. 2020.
- “Alcohol Use Disorder.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 4 June 2020.
- “Alcohol Use Disorder: A Comparison Between DSM–IV and DSM–5.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 13 Mar. 2020.
- “Drinking Levels Defined.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 26 June 2020.
- “Drinking Too Much Alcohol Can Harm Your Health. Learn the Facts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 Dec. 2019.
- “Factors That Affect How Alcohol Is Absorbed & Metabolized.” Factors That Affect How Alcohol Is Absorbed & Metabolized | Office of Alcohol Policy and Education.
- “Family History of Alcoholism: Are You at Risk?” Department of Mental Health.
- “How Alcohol Use Disorder Can Affect Romantic Relationships.” Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program, 5 Feb. 2019.
- “Preventing Chronic Disease.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Publishing, Harvard Health. “Alcohol Abuse.” Harvard Health.
- Sharma, Nitasha, et al. “Living with an Alcoholic Partner: Problems Faced and Coping Strategies Used by Wives of Alcoholic Clients.” Industrial Psychiatry Journal, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, 2016.
- Skerrett, Patrick J. “Heavy Drinkers Aren't Necessarily Alcoholics, but May Be ‘Almost Alcoholics.” Harvard Health Blog, 17 June 2020.
- “What Is AA?” Aa.org.
