Steroid Addiction | Signs, Symptoms and Effects

Types of steroids

Corticosteroids

These are man-made drugs that act like cortisol, the hormone your body releases in response to stress. Corticosteroids are commonly used to treat inflammatory conditions like asthma and arthritis, reducing inflammation and suppressing immune responses.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS)

Often referred to simply as anabolic steroids, these synthetic versions of testosterone help build muscle mass and boost physical performance. They have gained a reputation for their use in bodybuilding and sports but steroid abuse can have many dangerous consequences, including steroid addiction.

Topical steroids

Topical steroids are applied directly to the skin to reduce inflammation and irritation, making them useful in treating conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Steroid abuse often involves people taking AAS in ways that go far beyond what any doctor would recommend. While steroid abuse is usually associated with athletes and bodybuilders looking to pump their muscles or get ahead in sports, it can also result from people trying to cope with body image issues or improve their self-esteem.

There are various forms of anabolic steroid abuse, with some of the most common including:

• Cycling: Taking steroids for a set period, stopping and then starting again after a break.
• Stacking: Using multiple types of steroids at the same time to enhance their effects.
• Pyramiding: Gradually increasing the dosage, hitting a peak and then slowly reducing it.
• Frontloading: Taking a large initial dose to quickly feel the effects before returning to a lower dose.
• Bridging: Taking lower doses between cycles to maintain muscle mass during breaks.
• Megadosing: Taking extremely large doses of steroids to intensify their effects quickly.

All of these techniques can push your body into dangerous territory and increase your chances of developing a steroid addiction.

Spotting steroid addiction symptoms can be tricky because they are often hidden behind the expected results that come with steroid use. However, if you notice certain patterns, it may be time to take action:

• Obsessing over muscle gain, body image or workouts
• Draining your bank account to buy steroids or prioritising them over essentials
• Hiding your steroid use or lying about it to friends or family
• Relying on steroids to feel good about yourself
• Struggling with relationships because of mood swings or financial problems
• Facing legal trouble because of steroid-related activities
• Underperforming at work or school because steroid use takes priority
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, sleeplessness or intense cravings if you stop taking steroids
• Ignoring these steroid addiction symptoms and continuing to use them anyway

If any of these steroid addiction signs sound familiar, it’s important to get professional help to avoid any further damage.

Steroid addiction isn’t just about wanting bigger muscles; much deeper issues often cause it. Each person will have their own unique combination of these underlying causes which lead to steroid abuse and increase the risk of addiction:

• Body dysmorphia: For those with BDD, even small perceived flaws can lead to extreme measures, like using steroids, to try to “fix” their appearance.
• Low self-worth: If you struggle with self-esteem, it is easy to think that a stronger, more muscular appearance will make you feel better about yourself.
• Social influences: Friends, trainers or the broader fitness culture can make steroid abuse seem normal or necessary, contributing to addiction.
• Performance pressure: For athletes, bodybuilders or those in appearance-focused careers, the pressure to look or perform better can make steroid abuse appealing.

Mental health concerns: Anxiety, depression or past substance abuse issues can all increase the likelihood of turning to steroids as a coping mechanism.

Steroid abuse doesn’t just push your body to the limit – it can push your life to the very edge. Here are some of the biggest dangers and side effects of steroid addiction:

• Heart problems: Steroid abuse can cause heart disease, strokes and heart attacks, even in people who are young and physically fit. It can also lead to high blood pressure, altered cholesterol levels and heart enlargement.
• Liver and kidney damage: Oral steroids can lead to severe liver problems, including tumours and life-threatening cysts filled with blood and kidney failure.
• Mental health impacts: Users often experience extreme mood swings, aggression (known as “roid rage”), paranoia and depression, which can be worsened by steroid addiction.
• Reproductive harm: Men may suffer from testicular shrinkage, lower sperm counts and infertility, while women might experience deeper voices, changes to their menstrual cycles and increased body hair.
• Infection risks: Non-sterile injection practices or needle-sharing can result in dangerous infections like HIV, AIDS and hepatitis.
• Stunted growth in teens: Steroid use in young people can stop bone growth prematurely, leaving them shorter than they would have been.

Legal trouble: It is illegal to sell steroids or to use them without a prescription in the UK, both of which can have serious legal consequences.

If steroids are weighing you down, Sanctuary Lodge can help you drop the burden and build a healthier future. Through steroid detox, rehab and aftercare, you will see physical, mental and emotional gains like you have never experienced before. Contact us today to begin steroid addiction treatment and a whole new life.