Research Reports: Anabolic Steroid Abuse
- Letter From the Director
- What are anabolic steroids?
- What are steroidal supplements?
- What is the scope of steroid use in the United States?
- Why do people abuse anabolic steroids?
- How are anabolic steroids abused?
- What are the health consequences of steroid abuse?
- What effects do anabolic steroids have on behavior?
- Are anabolic steroids addictive?
- What can be done to prevent steroid abuse?
- NIDA-funded prevention research helps reduce steroid abuse.
- What treatments are effective for anabolic steroid abuse?
- Where can I get further scientific information about steroid abuse?
- Glossary
- References
Are anabolic steroids addictive?
An undetermined percentage of steroid abusers may become addicted to the drugs, as evidenced by their continued abuse despite physical problems and negative effects on social relations. Also, steroid abusers typically spend large amounts of time and money obtaining the drugs, which is another indication that they may be addicted. Individuals who abuse steroids can experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking steroids, such as mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, reduced sex drive, and steroid cravings. The most dangerous of the withdrawal symptoms is depression, because it sometimes leads to suicide attempts. If left untreated, some depressive symptoms associated with anabolic steroid withdrawal have been known to persist for a year or more after the abuser stops taking the drugs.
This page was last updated August 2006.
Research Reports
This series of reports simplifies the science of research findings for the educated lay public, legislators, educational groups, and practitioners. The series reports on research findings of national interest.
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