Steroid Addiction

Steroids are a complicated type of drug. Whilst some steroids are available via prescription as a type of medical treatment, others are illegal and are only available on the illicit market. This can make discussions around steroids particularly murky and makes it even more important to be aware of the different types of steroids and what they are used for.

Whilst corticosteroids are regularly prescribed anti-inflammatories, anabolic steroids are class B drugs. Like most medicines, steroids (regardless of their legal status) all carry potential side effects. These can range from difficulties regulating cortisol and altering body development to a severe psychological steroid addiction.

What are steroids?

The NHS explains that ‘steroids are a man-made version of hormones normally produced by the adrenal glands.’ Steroids are synthetic drugs that can mimic the action of key hormones in our bodies, such as cortisol, aldosterone, and testosterone.

Cortisol is an essential hormone that helps us to regulate stress. Low cortisol can lead to Addison’s disease, where you may experience fatigue, weight loss and low blood pressure. [6] Increased cortisol levels can lead to weight gain (especially around the middle), acne, anxiety and depression.

Aldosterone helps to regulate blood pressure. If aldosterone levels are too high or too low, this can result in peaks and troughs in blood pressure, potassium levels and overall energy. [8]

Testosterone is known as the male sex hormone, as it is produced in the testes. It is associated most commonly with sex drive, but it is also linked with mental health, storage of fat tissues and both bone and muscle mass.

Steroids mimic the mechanism of action of hormones. The effect will depend on the type of steroid and its duration.

What are steroids used for?

Steroids are often associated with bodybuilders as a shortcut for gaining muscle. However, this is only one element of steroid usage. There are two forms of steroids:

1. Corticosteroids
2. Anabolic steroids

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are one of the types of steroids that a doctor may prescribe you. These types of steroids are anti-inflammatory medications. They may be prescribed for a range of reasons, such as:

• asthma
• chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD)
• eczema
• hay fever
• hives
• irritable bowel syndrome
• lupus
• multiple sclerosis
• sciatica
• severe joint pain

All of these conditions may seem very different. However, they all share something – they are all conditions linked with redness, swelling and immune function. Steroids can help to reduce this inflammation, helping individuals to manage various symptoms more comfortably.

These types of steroids can come in many different forms, such as:

• creams (topical steroids)
• inhalers
• injections
• sprays
• tablets

Whilst prescription steroid use carries less potential risk than anabolic steroids, they can still carry some side effects, leading to:

• feeling hungrier than usual
• irritability and aggression
• difficulty sleeping
• increased urination

These symptoms should be manageable at home. However, if your prescription steroid use is starting to cause you some concern, It is important to speak with a medical professional, as this type of steroid is capable of altering the levels of cortisol in the brain.

Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids are the non-prescription kind, meaning that these are the steroids that tend to be abused. These are the types traditionally associated with building muscle and are therefore considered to be performance-enhancing drugs. Anabolic steroids mimic the action of testosterone. This means that their main effects are the altering of muscle and bone mass, making changes to appearance and increasing endurance. Sportspeople, such as bodybuilders and athletes, most commonly use steroids. Research indicates that users may take anywhere between 10 and 100 times the recommended medical dose of steroids.

These types of steroids can be known by many street names, such as:

• juice
• melanotan
• nootropics
• roids
• sildenafil
• smart drugs
• viagra

Anabolic steroids can help people:

• recover quicker
• allow for longer, more intense exercise or training sessions
• build muscle mass at a much higher speed than if exercising alone

However, they can also have a range of negative effects on your physical and mental health. If you use anabolic steroids, you may find yourself:

• becoming aggressive
• being violent
• having rapid, often unpredictable changes in mood
• feeling irritable, anxious or paranoid
• over competitiveness
• frustration
• depression
• irrational behaviour

The physical effects of steroid abuse can be quite potent. For men, this can lead to the risk of:

• shrinking of the testes
• erectile dysfunction in
• fertility issues
• development of breasts
• hair loss

For women, this could cause:

• development of facial hair
• hair loss
• shrinking of the breasts
• enlarged or swollen clitoris
• menstruation issues
• fertility issues

Steroids also cause general health risks for all users, regardless of the reproductive system of the user. This can mean:

• acne and blemishes
• increased blood pressure
• liver failure
• risk of stroke
• risk of heart attack
• damage to the veins
• infections
• increased pressure in the eyes

Are steroids illegal?

Corticosteroids are legal when accessed via prescription. However, that does not mean that these types of steroids cannot be abused. Sharing prescriptions of this type is not advised. On the other hand, anabolic steroids are Class C drugs. This means that:

• possession of anabolic steroids can lead to up to 2 years in prison or an unlimited fine
• supplying and production of anabolic steroids can lead to up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine

Because steroid use has become so associated with sports, drug screenings are now frequently conducted in competitive contexts. In some sporting events, detection of steroids may lead to disqualification from competing. Steroid use may also show up on other forms of drug screening, such as those conducted by the police or by some employers, as part of health and safety regulations. The length of time that steroids can be detected will depend on your method of use and the type of test conducted. For example:

• steroids taken orally can be detected for up to 14 days with a urine test
• steroids taken intravenously can be detected for up to 1 month
• steroids taken orally can be detected for up to 48 hours

Steroid addiction

It is possible to become psychologically dependent on steroids. When this happens, you may find it difficult to stop using steroids even when they may start to cause you physical, psychological or social harm.

The effects

An addiction can affect all areas of life. Signs of a steroid addiction include:

• withdrawal symptoms
• preoccupation with steroids
• exercising more frequently
• becoming aggressive or irritable
• depression
• dramatic changes to body composition and weight
• anorexia
• insomnia
• anxiety
• headaches
• feeling sick
• low concentration
• tiredness
• pain in the joints

The treatment

Steroid addiction treatment will typically have two key phases: steroid detox and steroid rehab. This aims to eliminate withdrawal symptoms to provide mental clarity. Following this, intensive psychological treatment can help to address underlying factors that may have contributed to your increased use of steroids. Addiction to anabolic steroids can cause serious distress. If you are struggling to control your use of steroids, you may benefit from reaching out to a specialist addiction support centre.

Get support today

Over time, anabolic steroids can begin to have a very negative effect on our lives. But this impact does not have to be permanent. Seeking support shows great strength and can be the beginning of a journey of deep healing and building resilience. To make an initial enquiry, you can call us, and a member of our team will be able to advise you on the range of treatment options available at our residential rehab clinic. Reaching out for support can be daunting, but our team is here to offer you confidential, specialist advice to kickstart your recovery journey.