Muscle-building drugs, such as anabolic steroids, SARMs, and growth hormones, are often used as a shortcut to gaining muscle mass quickly. The use of appearance and performance-enhancing drugs (APEDs) has become highly normalized, particularly among the fitness community and active individuals. However, these drugs can lead to a range of severe health and psychological issues, including drug addiction.
What Are Appearance and Performance-Enhancing Drugs (APEDs)?
Appearance and performance-enhancing drugs (APEDs), also called muscle-building drugs, increase performance, strength, and muscle mass. Muscle-building drugs are most often used by bodybuilders, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts. They aim to achieve faster and more significant muscle gains than through training and diet alone.
The misuse of muscle-building, performance-enhancing drugs is known as ‘doping.’ Doping refers to the illicit use of anabolic steroids and other APEDs by bodybuilders, athletes, and other sports competitions to gain an advantage.
Some of the most common types of muscle-building drugs and APEDs are:
- Anabolic-androgenic steroids
- Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs)
- Human growth hormone (HGH)
- Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1)
Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) bind to androgen receptors in bone and muscle tissues. They aim to mimic the effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids without affecting other areas of the body.
Human growth hormone (HGH) is a natural hormone the pituitary gland produces that stimulates growth, metabolism, and body structure maintenance. Synthetic HGH is only available through prescription and is administered through injection to treat growth hormone deficiencies and other conditions. However, athletes and bodybuilders often attain synthetic HGH to reduce body fat and increase muscle mass.
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) is a hormone that works similarly to insulin and stimulates muscle growth and repair. The misuse of synthetic IGF-1 can cause severe health issues, such as hypoglycemia and an increased risk of cancer.
Anabolic Steroids: Drug Misuse and Health Risks
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are the most commonly misused type of appearance and performance-enhancing drugs. Anabolic steroids are synthetic-produced versions of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone that produces anabolic and androgenic effects.
Medical prescriptions for anabolic steroids are for certain conditions like male hypogonadism and certain types of breast cancer. On the other hand, these drugs are used for promoting muscle growth and developing male sexual characteristics.
Different types of anabolic steroids include testosterone, Dianabol (Methandrostenolone), Trenbolone, and Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone). The associated side effects and risks of anabolic steroids, however, include liver damage, heart problems, and mood disorders.
8 Shocking Truths About Muscle-Building Drugs and Addiction
Understanding the risks and realities of muscle-building drug abuse and addiction is the first step toward recovery. The misuse of performance-enhancing drugs like anabolic steroids and SARMs can lead to severe physiological issues, mental health conditions, and chronic health conditions. Here are eight shocking truths about how muscle-building drugs can fuel addiction.
1. Rapid Physical Changes Lead to Psychological Dependence
One of the most compelling reasons people use appearance and performance-enhancing drugs (APEDs) is for quick growth in muscle mass and strength. These rapid changes can fuel the cycle of psychological dependence as users become addicted to the results. They may feel a need to maintain their new physique or even try to achieve more growth, pushing them to continue abusing these drugs.
2. Anabolic Steroids Alter Brain Chemistry
Anabolic steroids directly impact the brain’s reward system, causing the release of dopamine. This increased dopamine release can generate heightened feelings of pleasure, which can reinforce drug use. Over time, regular use of these muscle-building drugs can lead to tolerance development. Drug tolerance is when someone needs higher doses of the drug to achieve the same effects, which can lead to addiction development.
3. Withdrawal Symptoms Are Severe and Overwhelming
When users try to quit muscle-building drugs or APEDs after using them for a while, they often experience withdrawal symptoms. APED withdrawal symptoms may include fatigue, mood swings, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. These side effects can become so severe that users may return to using muscle-building drugs to alleviate them. The withdrawal process is often what perpetuates the cycle of dependence and addiction.
4. Peer Pressure and Body Image Issues Drive Continued Use
Many bodybuilders, athletes, and gymgoers may experience societal pressures to look a certain way in the fitness community. This can generate feelings of insecurity by feeling “not strong enough” or “too small,” further facilitating steroid drug abuse.
To maintain their physical appearance to meet societal standards or expectations, they continue their substance abuse and drug addiction. Social media, with the constant exposure to images of “perfect” bodies, plays a significant role in this addiction development.
5. Muscle Dysmorphia Can Develop Into an Obsessive Disorder
Muscle dysmorphia (M.D.) is a form of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) where individuals become obsessed with their muscle growth. This condition can become so obsessive that individuals might perceive themselves as small or weak, regardless of their physique.
When individuals deal with muscle dysmorphia while on steroids, it increases the risk of compulsive drug use and addiction. Not only is the addiction to muscle-building drugs unsafe, but the unattainable goal they’re reaching can be detrimental to their physiological and psychological health.
6. Easy Access Fuels Drug Abuse
The ease of access and availability to anabolic steroids and human growth hormones (HGH), both in the fitness community and online, opens the door to abuse and addiction. Despite the legal restrictions on appearance and performance-enhancing drugs (APEDs), these substances have become easily attainable. The normalization of these drugs among fitness influencers and athletes only exacerbates this issue, as they are unknowingly influencing others to use them.
While many users may begin using over-the-counter (OTC) supplements for muscle growth, it can progress to the illicit use of more potent drugs. While APEDs and anabolic steroids are attainable through prescription, this has led to illegal drug sales and drug misuse.
7. Long-Term Health Risks Are Often Overlooked
The long-term health risks of muscle-building drugs are more often than not overlooked. The desire for physical gains and to build muscle as fast as possible can overshadow these risks and lead to continued use and addiction. The potential health risks associated with APEDs and muscle-building drugs include:
- Liver damage
- Cardiovascular disease
- Reproductive issues
- Aggression
- Hormonal issues
- High blood pressure
- Heart attacks and stroke
- Severe acne and cysts
- Jaundice
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis
Since these substances are widely used among gymgoers and fitness influencers, many overlook the potential risks and side effects.
8. Polysubstance Abuse Is Incredibly Common
It isn’t uncommon for individuals to use muscle-building drugs alongside other substances. Polysubstance use with anabolic steroids, such as alcohol, stimulant, or opioid use, can exacerbate drug abuse and addiction. When two or more substances are taken within a short period, the side effects and health risks are often heightened. Even if it is a prescription, there is a possibility of adverse reactions when mixing drugs.
Muscle-Building Drug Addiction: Anabolic Steroid Drug Detox in Stuart
Overcoming substance abuse and addiction to anabolic steroids requires a multi-faceted approach, incorporating medical treatments and therapy. The health concerns associated with SARMs and anabolic-androgenic steroid addiction should not be overlooked. If you or a loved one are struggling with the misuse of muscle-building drugs, such as SARMs, steroids, or HGH, you can get help today.
At Coastal Detox, we offer individualized drug detox programs in Stuart, FL, for those battling a substance use disorder (SUD). Our South Florida steroids detox programs assist those struggling with steroid addiction and abuse.
Contact us today for 24/7 drug detox in South Florida.
References:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2023. Anabolic Steroids and Other Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drugs (APEDs).
- Drug Enforcement Administration, 2020. Drug Fact Sheet: Steroids.
- Mayo Clinic, 2023. Performance-enhancing drugs: Know the risks.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration, 2023. FDA Warns of Use of Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) Among Teens, Young Adults.
- MedlinePlus, 2024. IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1) Test.
- Cleveland Clinic, 2023. Anabolic Steroids.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Drugs, Brains, and Behaviors: The Science of Addiction.
- Society for the Study of Addiction, 2009. Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Dependence: An Emerging Disorder.
- Journal of Athletic Training, 2005. Recognition and Treatment of Muscle Dysmorphia and Related Body Image Disorders.
- JAMA Network, 1989. Hooked on Hormones? An Anabolic Steroid Addiction Hypothesis.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024. Polysubstance Use Facts.