What are Anabolic Steroids?
Anabolic steroids, officially known as anabolic-androgenic steroids, are a group of synthetic substances that mimic the naturally occurring hormone testosterone.
Originally developed to treat medical conditions in which individuals did not naturally produce sufficient testosterone for growth and development, these performance-enhancing drugs have become virtually synonymous with their contemporary use and abuse by athletes and bodybuilders. They abuse steroids as a way to artificially enhance muscle growth and development, energy, and stamina.
What are Anabolic Steroids Used For?
In medicine, anabolic steroids are used to treat diseases in which an individual’s growth and development have been restricted or suppressed to a degree that it impacts the individual’s healthy development.
Anabolic steroids are used illicitly by individuals seeking to enhance their athletic performance and body development. Bodybuilding and American baseball are two recreational areas in which steroid abuse and misuse have been prolific and led to contested results and severe punishments by the governing organisations against participants who are found to have used these substances.
Who Uses Anabolic Steroids?
Steroid use and the use of other performance-enhancing drugs are on the rise, particularly among young men who want to achieve a ‘perfect’ gym physique. Local needle exchange programmes in the UK are reporting a significant rise in intramuscular steroid injectors.
Find Out More About Admissions
Find out more about admissions to Castle Craig today.
Seek Help Today
Signs and Side Effects of Anabolic Steroid Abuse
-
Psychological Signs
Signs of steroid abuse include changes in mood and physical appearance. Mood changes may include:
- Nervousness
- Paranoia
- Impulsivity
- Aggression
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Libido suppression
- Restlessness, and other signs of agitation
-
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms of anabolic steroid abuse may include the development of feminine characteristics in men and male characteristics in women. In both men and women:
- Male pattern baldness
- Hair thinning
- Facial hair growth in Women
- A deep voice in women
- Irregular periods in women
- Decreased breast size in women
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Breast growth in men
- Shrunken testicles in men
- Greasy hair and/or skin
- Acne
- Yellow eyes and skin
- Cysts
Withdrawal symptoms from steroid use or misuse may include depression and low motivation.
Anabolic Steroid Misuse Health Risks
There are short-term and long-term health risks inherent in the use and abuse of anabolic steroids. Less life-threatening consequences include the development of acne and breasts in men, and voice deepening in women.
Other secondary risks include impulsive, aggressive, or even violent behaviours with severe consequences for the user and others impacted. Individuals injecting steroids are also at higher risk for health complications and diseases associated with needle-transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDs and Hepatitis B and C.
-
Life-Threatening Symptoms of Steroid Misuse
Further, more serious symptoms of life-threatening side effects of steroid use include:
- Cardiovascular damage, including heart disease and heart attack
- Liver disease
- Liver cancer
- Cysts
- Internal bleeding
- Premature ageing of bones
Complications associated with disrupting normal growth and development processes, which include irreversible suppression of normal growth and development when taken at a young age
Anabolic Steroid Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal from anabolic steroids can cause severe withdrawal symptoms due to the immense hormonal imbalances within the body. These can be difficult to manage alone at home without medical support. These may include:
- Depression, which can lead to suicide
- Low motivation
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Muscle cramps
- Frustration
Individuals will also occasionally seek other substances to ameliorate the unpleasant effects of steroid withdrawal
To manage your withdrawal symptoms safely and effectively, it is important to first seek help from your GP, or please get in touch with a member of our team to discuss medical detox and treatment for steroids.
Treatment for Anabolic Steroid Addiction and Performance-Enhancing Drug Addiction
The vast majority of people who abuse anabolic steroids do so for body image reasons; other drugs may be abused at the same time. Castle Craig offers a comprehensive drug addiction treatment programme that treats all areas of drug misuse, including detoxing from any substances the patient is taking, targeting negative body image through therapy, treating the root causes of the addiction and any post-traumatic stress disorder that may be contributing to the use of anabolic steroids and the desire for a ‘perfect’ body.
Get in Touch Today
If you are ready to seek support for steroids use, contact a member of the Castle Craig team today.
Self-Help Resources Near You
If you are looking for free, local support in your area, why not consider Narcotics Anonymous (NA). If you wish to speak to someone in confidence, you can find confidential support from The Samaritans.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can anabolic steroids cause anxiety?
Yes. Misusing anabolic steroids can increase the risk of anxiety, irritability, and mood swings. Changes in brain chemistry caused by high levels of synthetic testosterone can also have an impact on your emotional regulation, which can lead to symptoms such as nervousness, agitation, or panic. In some cases, anxiety may continue: even once you stop using steroids.
-
What anabolic steroids make you hungry?
Some anabolic steroids, particularly those that influence your metabolism such as Prednisone, is known to increase your appetite. This effect varies depending on the type of steroid, dose, and individual response. Increased hunger is sometimes sought after by people looking to gain muscle mass, but it comes with significant health risks when the drug is misused.
-
What do steroids do to your body?
Steroids mimic testosterone and can alter many systems in the body. In the short term, they may increase muscle size and strength, but they can also place a strain on the heart, liver, and kidneys. Misusing steroids can lead to acne, hair loss, hormonal imbalance, mood changes, and infertility. Long-term use raises the risk of heart disease, liver damage, and physical changes that are irreversible.
-
What are 5 side effects of steroids?
Five common side effects of anabolic steroid misuse include:
-
Acne and oily skin
-
Mood swings or aggression
-
Hair loss (male-pattern baldness)
-
Infertility and reduced testicle size in men
-
Irregular periods and voice deepening in women
These side effects may occur alongside more serious risks such as cardiovascular disease and liver damage.
-
-
How do steroids affect the skin?
Anabolic steroids can cause skin problems. Common effects include oily skin, acne on the face and back, and the development of cysts. Use over a long period may also result in the skin appearing greasy and may increase the risk of scarring from severe acne. Infections at injection sites can also occur if steroids are injected in an unsafe manner.
-
Are anabolic steroids legal in the UK?
In the UK, anabolic steroids are classified as Class C drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It is legal to possess or use them for personal use, but it is illegal to supply, sell, or give them to others. Importing or exporting steroids without the correct licence is also against the law and can result in serious penalties.
Experts You Can Trust
With a wealth of knowledge and services to help you regain control of your life, request a call-back from one of our professionals today. The choice you make today could change your life forever.
