Can you get addicted to steroids? Unfortunately, we live in a society where most people do not know the basics about substance abuse. The basics include how drug companies develop them, the effects, and obviously, the treatment. We even do not know the name of the substances for which we can create an addiction.
The steroid is one of them.
Using steroids for athletic purposes and changing physical appearance is popular. Still, we do not know that it comes with several short-term and long-term side effects, along with addiction issues.
If an individual develops a dependency or addiction towards steroids, they should opt for a medical treatment program, including withdrawal symptoms. If you or any one of your loved ones is going through a challenging phase, Gallus detox can help.
So, without wasting any more time, it is best to try it out here.
7 Things About Anabolic Steroid Addiction
When you are willing to know more about steroid or anabolic steroid addiction, here is a complete guide for you.
Here, we have discussed everything you will need to know about steroid use, developing dependence, becoming addicted, and encountering withdrawal symptoms.
Are Steroids Harmful?
Some steroids might be harmful, particularly to those who take them. Doctors use some specific types of steroids for helping people with inflammatory conditions, such as chronic bronchitis.
Those types of steroids are categorized as corticosteroids. These are not the same as the more harmful version of steroids, corticosteroid anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are the synthetic form of the male hormone testosterone, referred to as “roids” or “juice.”
People use anabolic steroids to change physical health, performance, and appearance. Here are some common usage of anabolic steroids.
- Athletes who want to improve their skills.
- Bodybuilders who want to gain muscles.
- Individuals who are trying to expedite recovery from an injury.
Are Steroids Harmful?
It might not be obvious, but steroids are addictive. It means individuals who take steroids might continue to take steroids even though its side effects become severe and start to impact their lives in some unwanted ways.
Some believe steroids are not addictive, as they do not develop a euphoric feeling, commonly found in other types of drug abuse.
Short-term Effects Of Steroids
As we have mentioned earlier, people use and abuse anabolic steroids to improve muscle growth and physical performance. However, this physical and appearance improvement comes with some short-term effects.
Here they are;
- Impotence.
- Decreased sperm count.
- Trouble;e sleeping.
- Decreased appetite.
- Agitation or restlessness.
- Fatigue.
- Mood swings.
- Acne.
Anabolic steroids are available in the liquid version, and users must inject them into the body. As a result of it, infections or swelling on the injection area.
Long-term Effects Of Steroids
Some side effects of steroids can also be seen from the other appearance changes of an individual or through how they are behaving. But, at the same time, you can not observe some of the long-term effects.
Steroids might not trigger the same immediate and intense response in the brain, just like any other substances, such as cocaine, but they could create changes to the brain over a considerate amount of time.
All these changes might impact the production and supply of some particular chemicals in the brain, named neurotransmitters. All these chemical changes in the brain might also lead to behavioral and mood changes.
Here are the long-term effects of anabolic steroids.
- Heart attack.
- Paranoia.
- Aggression and anger.
- Delusions.
- Tumors in the liver.
- Kidney failure.
- Stroke.
- Blood-borne diseases from the use of injection.
Side Effects Of Steroids
Anabolic steroids are nothing but a synthetic form of testosterone. So, the person abusing the substance experiences several characteristics of gender. Individuals taking this substance doses up to 100 times or to the level that is medically appropriate often encounter several side effects.
Some side effects include:
- Heart problems.
- Fertility issues.
- Deepening of the voice in women.
- Growth of breast tissue in men.
- Excessive hair growth in women.
- Shrinking of testicles.
- Stroke.
- Rapid mood swings.
- Elevated blood pressure.
- Menstrual irregularities for women.
- Mania.
Dependence
The use of steroids may lead to dependency. Dependency on drugs indicates that an individual can not usually function or generally without the steroids in their system. In addition, an overdose of steroids often leads to an increase of several hormones in the human body.
Eventually, it could result in more severe side effects than lower doses. When you stop using the drug, it might leave you with a certain feeling that you must retake them. Even though severe and unpleasant side effects are taking place, this happens.
If this is the case, withdrawal treatment is mandatory. In addition, medical professionals should monitor withdrawal to help in eliminating side effects along with reducing their impact.
Withdrawal Treatment
Through a tapering program, steroid withdrawal treatment is usually performed. It is done to minimize the withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal symptoms include the following.
- Fatigues.
- Headaches.
- Muscle and joint pain.
- Anorexia.
- Anxiety.
- A decreased sex drive.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Depression and apathy.
- Insomnia.
Depression can be the most dangerous effect of withdrawal, as it could be long-lasting and intense. In some cases, suicidal thoughts or event attempts might occur during withdrawal. During withdrawal, taking treatment from mental health and medical professionals will ensure one’s safety and avoid negative consequences.
On an outpatient basis, most treatments are available. However, if other substances are also being used in combination, rehabilitation or inpatient rehab programs will be more appropriate.
Can You Get Addicted To Steroids?
So, you see, however steroids are used for changing an individual’s physical appearance, it is not too safe to use. This is because apart from its long-term and many short-term side effects, an individual also can develop a dependency on steroids.
Steroids might not alter the brain functioning the way usual drugs do, but it affects over time. Thus, we can say that steroids are addictive. Do you feel think a person can get addicted to steroids? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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