Signs and symptoms of steroid addiction

Whether taken orally, injected or applied topically, around 32% of people who misuse anabolic steroids become dependent (1). If a person gets used to taking steroids on a regular basis, their body and mind will adapt to them in order to function efficiently, leading to a steroid addiction. Signs that someone is abusing steroids include:

Skin problems e.g. acne
Greasy hair or hair loss
Being forgetful or hiding things
Aggression or ‘roid rage’
Violent mood swings
Paranoia and hallucinations
High blood pressure

Anabolic steroids work by imitating the effect of the naturally occurring male sex hormone, testosterone. That’s why you’ll often find men and women who abuse steroids rapidly gain weight or muscle mass, develop larger breasts, more facial hair, and a deeper voice. Aside from the physical differences in someone with a steroid addiction, you may also notice them being surrounded by the paraphernalia that comes with abusing steroids, such as hypodermic needles or small plastic bags.

It’s easy to assume that steroid addiction only affects athletes and extreme gym goers. But people who suffer from low-self esteem and skewed body image are often the most susceptible to steroid addiction. Young people and those who have experienced sexual abuse are particularly vulnerable.

The effects of steroid addiction

Abusers of anabolic steroids often try different methods of consumption to try to reduce any potential side effects. Cycling involves taking steroids for a defined period with regular breaks to help the body recover. Stacking is when a person uses multiple types of steroids to achieve maximum effects. While Pyramiding means gradually building up the steroid dose to a peak and then slowly tapering off. However, the negative side effects from chronic steroid use are hard to avoid.

In the short-term, steroid addiction can cause infertility and sexual dysfunction, severe mood swings, hair loss and general aches and pains. Long-term side effects are more serious and may include heart attack or stroke, liver disease, blood clots and damage to reproductive organs.

Anabolic steroids increase serotonin and dopamine levels – the regions of the brain associated with pleasure and reward. Chronic use disrupts the function of these pathways, which is why anxiety and depression are common withdrawal symptoms when someone stops taking steroids (2). These are the most dangerous problems as they can lead to suicide attempts. Other withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, difficulty concentrating, extreme tiredness and anorexia.

Treatment for steroid addiction

As with other illicit drugs, anabolic steroids come with unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking them. Therefore, the first part of any treatment programme should include a medical drug detox which will help to reduce cravings safely under observation. At this point you will likely be given medication to balance out hormones and prevent any complications. You may also be given antidepressants to combat the psychological effects of withdrawal and NSAIDs, such as aspirin, for pain relief.

If your steroid addiction is the result of a mental health condition, such as body dysmorphia, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) may be used to help work through your issues and improve your self-esteem. A residential rehab programme can be beneficial to keep you away from temptations and triggers while you begin your recovery.