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5 Things To Know About Anabolic Steroid Abuse

A very common form of drug addiction is the excessive use of anabolic steroids. The steroids are simply variations of testosterone, the male sex hormone. Steroids can either be injected into the body muscles or they can be taken orally. They are mostly used by athletes and bodybuilders and usually starts as a way to build up the muscles and strength of the body. However, some users tend to go overboard with its use and eventually become addicted to it. Below, we look at five things you should know about anabolic steroid abuse.

1. Effect on The Brain

Anabolic steroids have a very different effect on the brain when compared to other forms of drugs. While other drugs usually trigger increased dopamine production in the brain that causes the ‘high’, steroids do not directly increase the dopamine in the brain. Instead, the steroids tend to affect the brain chemicals and pathways related to dopamine when it is used for a long period of time. And when using other drugs or medications that directly affect dopamine, the user might feel a ‘high’. As such, steroids create an indirect dopamine-induced ‘high’ in contrast to other types of drugs.

2. Signs Of Steroid Abuse

People who abuse steroids usually gain lean muscle rapidly, typically within a 10 week period. If your loved one works out very hard on a daily basis and you see numerous syringes in their room, then that can be a sign of steroid abuse. You should check out their arms to see whether it has any holes that look inflamed and reddish. If they are using steroid creams, then you will start smelling a strange odor from them. And if they are taking the steroids in the form of pills, you should see numerous pill packets in the trash. In case the steroid use gets out of control, you must seriously look into WhiteSands drug rehab center and consider admitting your loved one for recovery.

3. Short-Term And Long-Term Effects

Abusing steroids has several short-term and long-term effects. In the short-term, the person will likely start feeling extremely paranoid and unreasonable with their demands. They will start having delusions about many things. Extreme mood swings are also very likely with the possibility of violence. In the long-term, the person will start seeing their hands and feet swell abnormally. Acne will also be out of control. The heart may become enlarged and you will suffer from high blood pressure. The kidneys and liver might start failing. There is also a high chance of stroke.

There will also be differences in how steroid abuse affects men and women. In men, the testicles will start to shrink and the sperm count will go way down. The risk of prostate cancer will also be very high. Breasts would develop abnormally and the person will become bald.  In women, there will be an excessive growth of hair all over the body including the face. The menstrual cycle will be disturbed. They might also suffer from baldness just like men do. Plus, the clitoris will also be enlarged. If steroid use starts from teenage, then the person’s growth will be negatively affected. In fact, they might end up with a stunted height.

4. Withdrawal Symptoms

When a person understands the negative consequences of steroid abuse and starts limiting its intake, there can be serious withdrawal issues. For one, the person will be vulnerable to depression and other such conditions. The libido is likely to be very low which can affect romantic relationships. There will be frequent headaches and the person will have a difficult time concentrating on anything for a long period. They will be extremely anxious and will be worried about anything that does not go their way. In addition, sleeping will also be difficult.  Given such negative withdrawal effects, it is advisable that you only reduce the steroid intake gradually in small quantities rather than cutting down the intake by a large amount all of a sudden. Plus, it is also recommended that you approach a good rehab center for a proper recovery.

5. Comorbid Disorders

Steroid abuse can also trigger other disorders. Such people can be susceptible to mental illnesses once steroid use goes out of hand and they become totally dependent on it. Extreme steroid users can start developing problems with differentiating between reality and fantasy. Those who have reached this stage usually require intense psychological counseling that can get them back to a balanced mental state. In addition, behavioral therapies can also be very effective at instilling a logical way of looking at things rather than judging something based on irrationality.