What are the psychological risks of using anabolic steroids?
Dr. Kelly: Anabolic steroids create many problems. The mortality rate of the people who use them is four times higher than average. (Anna Petersson, Drug and Alchohol Dependence 2006.) Anabolic steroid use can cause violent behavior, also known as “roid rage.” Moreover, individuals who stop using without the care of a doctor can experience serious withdrawal symptoms, such as mood swings, fatigue, loss of appetite, insomnia and depression. 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. Halting usage of steroids should only occur under the care of a doctor. What are the health risks of performance-enhancing drugs? Dr. Kelly: Anabolic steroids can cause: • Liver enzymes to rise, which can change the processing of other medications • Severe acne • Gynecomastia (breast development in boys) • Bones to stop growing, so they’re particularly dangerous for teens who are still growing • A
