How Britain’s got hooked on steroids: 500,000 are now addicted to muscle-enhancers
If you are dependent on steroids, you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms when you suddenly stop taking them, or when you drastically lower the dose your body is used to. Frequent use of steroids can lead to you developing a tolerance – meaning you’ll need to take more steroids anabolic steroids buy to feel the same effects. Increased tolerance is a leading cause of addiction, as you’re taking more of the drug for less of the effect. Steroids can be addictive, whether they be legal steroids available on prescription, or illicit steroids such as anabolic steroids.
- When doctors prescribe steroid medication, they always advise coming off the medication slowly by gradually reducing the dose.
- It is for this particular reason that a severe form of acne known as Acne conglobate is commonly cited as a side effect of these steroids.
- When you take steroids, fat may be stored around the face, neck and abdomen.
- Addiction specialist Steve Wood works with drug and alcohol rehabilitation charity Open Road, and reveals that the organisation has seen a 400 per cent increase in steroid use over the last five years.
- The reason you have therapy every day is that you need to have an intense focus on recovery, otherwise it is less likely that you will be able to stay sober permanently.
Rehab Guide is a free help and assessment service to help you choose the best drug & alcohol rehab for you. We will give you guidance on the best treatment options for your circumstances. People who are taking high doses of anabolic steroids, or who have been addicted for many years, should definitely consider going to outpatient rehab instead of home detox.
The Complete Guide to Anabolic Steroid Abuse
There are thousands of different drug options available, and can be injected into a muscle, taken by mouth as tablets, or applied to the skin as creams or gels. They are classified as Class C drugs which means it is not illegal to possess them for personal use. While they should only be issued by pharmacists to patients with a prescription, users commonly find alternative, easy access to the steroids.
If taken orally, steroids can show up in a urine test for up to 14 days. However, they can also sometimes cause unwanted changes in appearance like acne or shrunken testicles. Anabolic steroids are available as tablets or as a liquid for injection. This may not be a term you’ve heard of, but it’s a common term in weight lifting culture.
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Anabolic steroids are only available by prescription, so you cannot get them over the counter. Many people who use anabolic steroids illegally steal the medication, or borrow it from someone who is on a prescription. 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.
The Effects of Anabolic Steroids on the Skin
Low testosterone can lead to reduced sex drive, poor erections and a low sperm count. On TikTok, videos under the hashtag ‘steroids’ have 307.8million views, while #steroidtransformation has 52.9million views. Last year a well-known previous contestant on the show, Tom Powell, said steroids are his ‘poison’ and decided not to stop taking them despite needing breast reduction surgery as a result. Contestants on the show have openly admitted to taking the drugs before.
Whilst taking anabolic steroids might make you feel fitter, abusing them over a long period can have dangerous consequences. Anabolic steroids can be used as performance-enhancing drugs that increase muscle mass and decrease fat, as well as causing many undesirable effects. Some people take them regularly to improve their physical performance and build up their bodies. The penalty is an unlimited fine, or even a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
How those addicted to steroids can find help
One of the short term benefits of taking these steroids is that they improve the rate at which blood is pumped to different parts of the body. “We are seeing more and more people suffering from muscle dysmorphia, which can lead to depression and even suicidal thoughts. “Whether people initially use steroids to ‘bulk up’ or to improve the shape of their bodies,” says Wood, “once they start using they’re down the rabbit hole and it can easily spiral into addiction. Addiction specialist Steve Wood works with drug and alcohol rehabilitation charity Open Road, and reveals that the organisation has seen a 400 per cent increase in steroid use over the last five years.
Not only are steroids dangerous to one’s health but they also are addictive. When an individual decides to take steroids to boost their testosterone levels, they often end up suppressing the production of the female hormone. In addition, one’s mental health and medical history may play a role in influencing their ability to cope with the resulting effects.
Get help with steroid addiction
If you begin to experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, you may take more steroids to keep these side effects at bay. This will provide short-term relief, but it is also keeping you in a vicious cycle of taking steroids and putting your physical and mental health at great risk. Additionally, addiction to prescription medicines, such as pregabalin and drinking alcohol, has the potential to lead to alcohol addiction and long-term health issues. However, the risks are not considered great as with many other prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.
Outpatient Treatment For Anabolic Steroid Addiction
EasyGym, the low-cost national gym chain, has recently installed sharps disposal bins into all of its changing rooms. If you or someone else needs urgent help after taking drugs or drinking, call 999 for an ambulance. This is a Class C drug, which can only be sold by pharmacists with a prescription. If you’re caught driving under the influence, you may receive a heavy fine, driving ban, or prison sentence.
