One study found that 9. Of that 9. Some individuals who abuse anabolic steroids can develop patterns of behavior that are typical symptoms of people who are addicted. Those behaviors include continuing use despite negative consequences, spending excessive time and effort in obtaining drugs, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they stop using.
Some anabolic steroid users continue using the drugs despite experiencing physical problems and problems in their social relationships. The percentage of those who continue use in spite of negative consequences is not known. Many steroid abusers spend large amounts of time and money to obtain the drugs they use. When they stop taking steroids, users can experience withdrawal symptoms that can include mood swings, restlessness, loss of appetite, and craving for steroids.
Other withdrawal symptoms reported in case studies of people coming off anabolic steroids use include:. One of the most serious withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping steroid use is depression because it can sometimes lead to suicide attempts, the NIDA reports. Research reveals that if untreated, depression associated with anabolic steroid withdrawal can persist for a year or longer after use of the drug stops. Treatment options recommended by the National Institute on Drug Abuse for anabolic steroid abuse are based more on case studies and physician experience rather than controlled studies.
There has been very little research into treatment for steroid abuse. These studies suggest that patients going through anabolic steroid withdrawal may only require supportive and educational therapy, in many cases.
Though physicians need to evaluate them for suicidal thoughts due to steroid withdrawal. If withdrawal symptoms listed above become severe or prolonged, patients are given medications to treat the specific withdrawal symptoms.
For example, antidepressants for depression or analgesics for headaches and pain. Some steroid withdrawal patients receive medication to help restore their hormonal systems. Others are treated with behavioral therapies for withdrawal symptoms that go beyond pharmacological treatment.
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Because the dangers of anabolic steroid abuse are so great and because there does exist a potential for some users to develop addictive-like behavior related to steroid use, efforts should be concentrated on preventing the use in the first place, especially among young student-athletes. By far the most prevalent anabolic steroid prevention programs in the U. Very few local school districts have established steroid prevention programs.
Even if such testing was more widespread, research has yet to clearly determine if drug testing is effective in reducing drug abuse. The NIDA is currently funding that research. Scientific studies have shown that teaching youth about the adverse effects of steroids alone is not as effective in preventing steroid use as well as programs that present both the risks and benefits of using anabolic steroids.
Students find a balanced approach more credible, the NIDA says. Although most secondary schools do not have official anabolic steroids prevention programs in place, there are programs available that have been shown to be effective in reducing steroid abuse, other substance abuse, and other risky behaviors.
The NIDA reports that these two sophisticated approaches have shown promise in preventing steroid abuse among high school sports players. The ATLAS program is designed to show high school football players that they can build powerful bodies and improve their athletic performance without using dangerous anabolic steroids.
The program not only provides education about the harmful side effects of anabolic steroids but also provides nutrition and weight-training alternatives to using steroids. According to NIDA research, the program has been successful in reducing the participants' intentions to use steroids while increasing their healthy behaviors.
One of the hallmarks of the ATLAS program is that the football coaches and team leaders are the ones who teach the players about the harmful effects of steroids and other illicit drugs on sports performance. They also discuss how to refuse if they are offered drugs. In controlled studies of the ATLAS program, researchers compared athletes in 15 high schools who were in the program with a control group who did not receive the training.
The study found that ATLAS-trained athletes had less interest in trying steroids, less desire to abuse them, better knowledge of alternatives to steroid abuse, improved body image, and increased knowledge of diet supplements. The female athletes who did not receive the ATHENA training were three times more likely to begin using diet pills during the sports season.
They were twice as likely to abuse other body-shaping substances such as amphetamines, anabolic steroids, and muscle-building supplements during the season. During the sports season, girls in the control group increased their use of diet pills, while those who received the ATHENA training, cut their diet pill use in half of their preseason usage.
They were:. The two anabolic steroid prevention programs received Sports Illustrated magazine's first-ever "Champion Award. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life.
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. Drug Guide: Steroids. Published online, no date. Clinical review Anabolic-androgenic steroid therapy in the treatment of chronic diseases. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. FR Doc , December 16, From the Federal Register Online. FDA issues warning about body-building products labeled to contain steroid and steroid-like substances. Updated online, June, 20, Published online, March Sports Med. Published online, updated February 21, Effects of supraphysiologic doses of testosterone on mood and aggression in normal men: a randomized controlled trial.
Archives of general psychiatry. Feb 1, ;57 2 Anabolic-androgenic steroid dependence: an emerging disorder. Elliot DL, Goldberg L. Athletes targeting healthy exercise and nutrition alternatives. Handbook of prevention and intervention programs for adolescent girls. National Library of Medicine. Anabolic steroids. Reviewed August 18, UK National Health Service.
Anabolic steroid misuse. Choices: Your health, your choices. Published August Your Privacy Rights. Testosterone has two effects on your body: anabolic — maintains bone density, supports muscle growth and speeds up recovery from injury androgenic also known as masculinising — develops and maintains male characteristics such as the penis, testicles, muscle mass, deep voice and facial hair.
How anabolic steroids affect the body People who use anabolic steroids generally experience an increase in muscle strength very quickly.
This can often lead to rapid increases in lean muscle tissue. Fluid retention is also common and can lead to muscles looking soft or bloated. Side effects of anabolic steroids The effects of anabolic steroid use can differ from person to person. Some people may experience: fluid retention also called water retention or oedema difficulty sleeping damage to nerves from injecting steroids irritability, mood swings, aggression or depression increased sex drive libido skin changes — acne that results in scarring more colds.
Men may experience: testicle and penis shrinkage reduced sperm count erectile dysfunction or impotence prostate problems gynaecomastia breast development baldness patterned hair loss involuntary and long-lasting erection. Women may experience: irregular menstrual cycle or loss of periods amenorrhoea shrunken breasts deepened voice facial and body hair growth such as hirsutism abnormal growth of the clitoris. Long-term effects of anabolic steroids Anabolic steroids can produce many unpleasant and often permanent side effects, including: damage to the gonads testicles or ovaries liver disease malfunctions of the kidneys , liver or heart 'roid rage', which is characterised by uncontrollable outbursts of psychotic aggression paranoia and mood swings, including deep depression severe acne , which can cause scarring high blood cholesterol levels high blood pressure hypertension injuries to tendons that can't keep up with the increased muscle strength delusional feelings of being superhuman or invincible.
Trembling and muscle tremors. Mixing anabolic steroids with other drugs A person who is using anabolic steroids may turn to other supplementary drugs. Some of these other drugs may include: amphetamines — to counteract feelings of deep depression and aid in fat loss beta blockers — to counteract trembling diuretics — to counteract fluid retention human growth hormone — such as human chorionic gonadotrophin HCG to stimulate the body's natural production of testosterone and counteract testicle shrinkage.
Dependence on anabolic steroids Anabolic steroids do not cause physical dependence. Withdrawal from anabolic steroids It can take up to 4 months to restore natural testosterone levels after being on anabolic steroids for a long time. Withdrawal symptoms from steroids can include: fatigue weight loss due to lowered appetite decreased strength depression. Treatment for anabolic steroid addiction Treatment options for drug dependence or addiction may include: detoxification individual counselling group therapy.
Peer support — or talking to someone who has been in the same situation — can also be helpful. Anabolic steroid use and the law In Australia, laws and penalties vary on anabolic steroid use among states and territories. Positive tests can result in fines, suspensions or permanent bans. Anabolic steroids , Alcohol and Drug Foundation Steroid use: What are the real health and social impacts?
Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all drugs. Related information. Support groups Family Drug Help. From other websites DrugInfo. Steroids can also have serious psychological side effects.
Some users may become aggressive or combative, believe things that aren't true delusions , or have extreme feelings of mistrust or fear paranoia. And people who use steroids also appear to be at higher risk for using other drugs, such as alcohol or cocaine, often to counteract some of the negative effects of steroids.
Steroid users who inject the drugs with a needle are at risk for infection with HIV human immunodeficiency virus , the virus that causes AIDS, if they share needles with other users. People who use dirty needles are also at risk for contracting hepatitis , a liver disease, or bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart.
Some people "cycle" their steroid doses. This means they take multiple doses of steroids over a period of time, stop for a period, then start up again.
Other steroid users may "pyramid" their steroids, starting with a low dose and gradually increasing the dose, frequency, or number of anabolic steroids taken, then tapering off to complete a cycle. Users believe that stacking enhances the effects of each individual drug, pyramiding allows the body to get used to high doses of steroids, and steroid-free periods help the body recuperate from the drugs. There is no scientific evidence to support any of these claims.
A lot of people tell themselves they'll only use steroids for a season or a school year. Unfortunately, steroids can be addictive, making it hard to stop taking them. And once users stop taking steroids, they can have withdrawal symptoms such as loss of appetite, tiredness, restlessness, insomnia, mood swings, and depression. Anabolic steroid use is illegal and banned by professional sports organizations and medical associations. In spite of this, some athletes continue to take steroids because they think it gives them a competitive advantage.
As seen in high-profile cases, if an athlete is caught using steroids, his or her career can be destroyed.
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