Are Steroids Stimulants?
Anabolic androgenic steroids are synthetically produced substances of the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone. Are steroids stimulants? No. They are a Schedule III controlled substance and fall into their own category of drug. Anabolic steroids are most often abused as users seek to promote muscle growth, enhance athletic performance, enhance another type of physical performance and improve physical appearance. When used beyond the scope of its intended purpose, it can lead to addiction.
Some steroids can be legitimately prescribed by a healthcare professional. In cases of abuse or recreational use, some steroids are illicitly obtained despite being derived from legal sources. The majority of illicit steroids are smuggled into the US from abroad. Anabolic steroids do not chemically produce a high like a typically addictive drug. However, when regularly used, users can develop a tolerance and dependence on the drug. This can then lead to psychological adverse effects and turn into an addiction.
What are Steroids?
There are two types of steroids. The first type of steroid is called corticosteroids. This type of steroid is a medication that can be used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma and all types of allergic reactions. Corticosteroids like prednisone help to treat a variety of illnesses by reducing inflammation.
The second type of steroid is anabolic steroid. This substance is what is most known for in cases of recreational use and abuse. There are over 100 types of anabolic steroids. Only a small fraction of those have been approved for medical use.
Some of the most commonly used anabolic steroids in the US include trenbolone, oxymetholone, testosterone, methandrostenolone, nandrolone and stanozolol. Common street names for anabolic steroids include Arnolds, Juice, Pumpers, Roids, Stackers or Weight Gainers.
They are available in tablets, capsules, liquid drops, creams, gels and injectable solutions. However, steroids are typically injected intramuscularly or topically applied to the skin.
Anabolic steroids stimulate the active components of DNA in muscle cells to increase the production of the proteins that build muscle tissues and fibers. This results in increased muscle growth and body mass in a short period of time. It also increases bone minerals and can impact the function of the immune system, reproductive system and central nervous system.
Are Steroids Stimulants?
No. Anabolic steroids are categorized in their own classification of drugs. When prescribed by a health care provider, they are used to treat delayed puberty, hormonal imbalance in men, impotence, breast cancer, osteoporosis, muscle loss due to disease, certain types of anemia, and endometriosis.
Stimulants and anabolic steroids are two different types of drugs. They are both used as appearance and performance-enhancing drugs. Stimulants can boost levels of some chemicals in the brain that increase heart rate and raise blood pressure. Like steroids, stimulants can also help users like an athletes, exercise for longer, feel less tired and feel more alert. Popular stimulants include caffeine and amphetamines.
Side effects and risks of Anabolic Steroid use
- Can cause dramatic mood swings
- Increased feelings of hostility
- Impaired judgment
- Increased levels of aggression and violent behavior
- Depression
- Mania and delusions
- In young people, it can stunt growth and height
- In young boys, it can cause early sexual development and acne
- In young girls and women, it can deepen voice, increase facial and body hair and create menstrual irregularities
- In men, it can cause shrinkage of testicles, reduced sperm count, enlargement of breast tissue, male pattern baldness, sterility and increased risk of prostate and testicular cancer
- High blood pressure, blood clots, risk of heart attack and risk of stroke
- Liver hepatitis and liver tumor
- Acne, cysts, oily scalp and jaundice
- Psychological dependence and addiction
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Why are Anabolic Steroids addictive?
Unlike corticosteroids, anabolic steroids can become addictive. Research has found that an estimated 32% of people who misuse anabolic steroids become dependent and are at risk for addiction.
Steroids are often used by athletes, bodybuilders and those who are looking to change or enhance their physical appearance. They can increase lean muscle mass and lead to ideal body images in a very short amount of time. Because of quick and easy changes in physical appearance, positive results often encourage users to continue taking the substance and take more.
It helps increase strength, improve physical performance and help athletes bounce back faster from a workout and recover more quickly. They can exercise harder and longer without the effects of fatigue or weakness. This is a major appeal to athletes.
Because of these results, it is often associated with a male form of body dysmorphia called muscle dysmorphia. Users continuously trying to achieve the ideal body image lead to taking more steroids, which can then impact brain chemistry and lead to addiction.
Anabolic steroid abuse is often likened to the same type of behavior as substance use disorder. It creates a compulsive need to seek out and use steroids. It can also cause steroid withdrawal symptoms when drug use has abruptly stopped, drastically been cut or there is a change in dosage.
Withdrawal symptoms can include fatigue restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, reduced sex drive and steroid cravings. It can also result in serious or worsening depression, which can lead to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
How are Anabolic Steroids abused?
Some of the most commonly found brands of performance-enhancing steroids include Andadrol-50, Winstrol, Anavar and Dianabol. There are three main ways in which anabolic steroids are abused.
Stacking is a concept in which the user takes multiple types of steroids at once or mixes different brands. Cycling is the process of taking steroids for a predetermined amount of time then abstaining for a period of time and then starting the cycle again. Pyramiding is when you take steroids during an on cycle and then slowly taper off the dose.
Steroid abuse is often 10 to 100 times higher a dose than approved for therapeutic and medical treatment. Those who use recreationally or abuse the substance typically take two or more anabolic steroids at the same time.
The internet is the most common means of buying and selling anabolic steroids. They can also be bought and sold at gyms, bodybuilding competitions, schools and through teammates, coaches and trainers.
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Anabolic steroids are man-made drugs that mimic the testosterone hormone. They are often referred to as appearance and performance-enhancing drugs. When abused and used long-term, it can lead to significant physical, psychiatric and behavioral issues. Users are at risk for conditions such as early heart attack, stroke, liver damage and kidney failure. It can also result in dramatic personality changes and drastic mood swings like roid rage and violent behavior.
Those who have a history of substance use disorder or have co-occurring mental health conditions are at higher risk for developing a steroid use disorder. Behavioral health treatment programs such as Hotel California by the Sea provide treatment for those with substance use disorder including an addiction to anabolic steroids.
We provide treatment at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT and EMDR therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping clients understand the root cause of their addiction. We offer tools, resources and support client need to achieve recovery and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Steroids-2020_0.pdf
https://www.addictioncenter.com/stimulants/steroids
https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/anabolic-steroids
https://www.addictioncenter.com/stimulants/steroids/symptoms-signs