Steroid Addiction

Perhaps the most notorious of the image and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs), the abuse of anabolic steroids began to increase in the 1950s. For several decades, anabolic-androgenic steroids were primarily used by individuals in specific sporting industries, being utilised by ‘elite athletes’ and bodybuilders to increase physical endurance and performance. For several decades, steroid use was largely limited to this demographic. However, in the 1980s, a shift occurred. Steroid use became more prevalent in the general population, no longer being inherently associated with competitive sports. But how did this shift occur? What makes steroid use so desirable for specific groups? How do steroids affect our bodies, and what risks do they carry? Are there ways to use steroids safely, and what are the options for addiction treatment if steroid use begins to spiral out of control?

What are steroids?

When we talk about ‘steroids,’ we can be talking about several different things.

There are two key types of steroids:

Anabolic steroids
Corticosteroids

Anabolic steroids

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (often shortened to AAS) are the types of steroids most associated with abuse and addiction. They can, however, be prescribed by medical professionals when needed. This type of steroid are ‘synthetic derivatives of testosterone.’ This means that anabolic steroids often act in a way that enhances ‘masculinized secondary characteristics.’ Testosterone has been described for years as ‘the male sex hormone,’ as it is a hormone most known for being found in the male sex organs. Anabolic steroids, in mimicking the action of testosterone, can lead to changes in body composition that many people find desirable.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids, on the other hand, are a specific type of medicine used to treat inflammatory diseases. These types of steroids are usually available from the GP and may be provided on prescription for specific conditions. It is less common for corticosteroids to be abused.

What are steroids used for?

Medical use

Whilst steroids have become synonymous with drug abuse, not all instances of steroid use fit into this category. Anabolic steroids can be prescribed in specific medical contexts, such as in the treatment of conditions like anaemia or as a post-surgery management of muscle loss. Anabolic steroids are also sometimes used to treat hormonal conditions.

Corticosteroids are also used in the medical sector. They are often used to treat conditions linked with excessive inflammation, such as arthritis, asthma, allergies and irritable bowel syndrome. Use of this type of steroid is very common. In fact, ‘[c]orticosteroids are among the most widely prescribed drug classes worldwide, with an estimated market of more than 10 billion USD per year.’

Illicit use

When we talk about steroid abuse, we’re often talking about anabolic steroids. A list of variable street names knows these types of steroids:

Juice
Melanotan
Nootropics
Roids
Sildenafil
Smart drugs
Viagra

When not used in the medical realm, the main motivator for steroid use is often in regard to body composition, physique and physical appearance. Steroids have been sought out as a way of achieving a specific body type in a faster manner. However, this is not without a range of physical health complications and can also wield a particular threat to mental health.

Side effects of steroids

Body-altering effects

The initial steroid high may feel quite pleasant for some individuals: being able to exercise for longer, alter body composition (by aiding fat loss and muscle gain concurrently) and reduce the amount of time it takes to recover from an intense training session. For many people, steroids are the answer to unrealistic expectations about how our bodies should look and act – specifically, for men. This indicates that steroid use can be linked to situational factors – such as engagement with a specific sport either for work or recreation. But it can also indicate an underlying issue of ‘body dissatisfaction’ at the root of an excessive ‘drive for thinness’ and ‘drive for bulk.’ Steroid addiction, then, may be associated with what may be a less considered element of men’s mental health— eating disorders and body image. [

Risks

Despite the seemingly desirable effects of steroids in this context, using steroids can sometimes impact us more than it helps us to achieve. This can manifest in a broad range of psychological and physical symptoms.

Psychological

Mood swings
Unpredictability
Paranoia
Aggression
Tendency to violence
Worsening body image
Body dysmorphia
Development of eating disorders

Physical

Shrunken testicles
Erectile dysfunction
Growth of breasts in males
Shrinking of breasts in females
Hair loss
Gain of facial hair in females
Acne
Changes in libido
High blood pressure
Tachycardia
Risk of stroke and heart attack
Liver issues

Steroid addiction treatment

An addiction to steroids can lead to genuine health problems and mental health distress. It can also mask difficult thoughts and feelings related to our bodies, deepening the complexity of pre-existing difficulties around our self-esteem, perfectionism and confidence. This means that tackling potential dual diagnoses (such as anxiety, depression, PTSD or eating disorders) is a key component of steroid rehab.
Some individuals may find that ending steroid use feels physically uncomfortable. This can be due to withdrawal symptoms. This can be addressed in a supported steroid detox at the beginning of addiction treatment.

Find support

Living with addiction can feel like wading through deep water – but you do not need to carry the burden alone. At Oasis Recovery Runcorn, we offer the opportunity to engage with bespoke treatment programmes designed with you in mind. Staffed by a specialist clinical team and providing support for a range of substance addictions, behavioural addictions and dual diagnosis care, contacting us can mark the beginning of your journey to a life free of addiction. Our services are professional, confidential and judgement-free. Contact us today for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dangers of steroid addiction?

Anabolic steroids can lead to both physical and emotional harm. Physically, steroids have the ability to impact our cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and hormonal systems. For some people, these effects can be life-limiting or even life-threatening. Steroid addiction can also lead to dermatological conditions and psychiatric complications.

How are steroids abused?

Steroids are taken in a range of different ways. Anabolic steroids are often taken through injection or ingestion. When injected, steroids enter the muscle tissue. This mode of use (known as ‘intramuscular’) can increase the risk of damaging the tissues in the body. Injections can also lead to local infections (infections to the injection site) or broader infections in the body. Sharing sharps can heighten the dangers of injecting, leading to an increase in the likelihood of contracting a bloodborne disease.

What causes steroid addiction?

Steroid addiction is thought to occur on several levels. At its core, steroid addiction is theorised as a type of psychological addiction. This means that users often find it difficult to stop steroid use due to a level of emotional dependence on the drug and the way it makes us feel. For some people, the use of a drug can become so routine that it becomes compulsive. The route cause for beginning steroid use can be medical or personal and can often signal a comorbid mental health condition, a fixation on physical performance and persistent challenges with body image.

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