Can you be addicted to steroids?

[Kratos]

Anabolic -androgenic steroid dependence: an emerging disorder.
Kanayama G, Brower KJ, Wood RI, Hudson JI, Pope HG Jr.

Biological Psychiatry Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, and Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Comment in:

Addiction. 2009 Dec;104(12):1979-80.

AIMS: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are widely used illicitly to gain muscle and lose body fat. Here we review the accumulating human and animal evidence showing that AAS may cause a distinct dependence syndrome, often associated with adverse psychiatric and medical effects. METHOD: We present an illustrative case of AAS dependence, followed by a summary of the human and animal literature on this topic, based on publications known to us or obtained by searching the PubMed database. RESULTS: About 30% of AAS users appear to develop a dependence syndrome, characterized by chronic AAS use despite adverse effects on physical, psychosocial or occupational functioning. AAS dependence shares many features with classical drug dependence. For example, hamsters will self-administer AAS, even to the point of death, and both humans and animals exhibit a well-documented AAS withdrawal syndrome, mediated by neuroendocrine and cortical neurotransmitter systems. AAS dependence may particularly involve opioidergic mechanisms. However, AAS differ from classical drugs in that they produce little immediate reward of acute intoxication, but instead a delayed effect of muscle gains. Thus standard diagnostic criteria for substance dependence, usually crafted for acutely intoxicating drugs, must be adapted slightly for cumulatively acting drugs such as AAS. CONCLUSIONS: AAS dependence is a valid diagnostic entity, and probably a growing public health problem. AAS dependence may share brain mechanisms with other forms of substance dependence, especially opioid dependence. Future studies are needed to characterize AAS dependence more clearly, identify risk factors for this syndrome and develop treatment strategies.

[Someguy123]

the only way you could claim any physical dependence, is if you were completely shut down, and werent coming back. then obviously you would require TRT to feel normal. but i still dont think that constitutes addiction. since its not a chemical dependence, on a chemical thats foreign to the body. its a hormone that your body is SUPPOSED to produce, but it isnt anymore.

anything else would be strictly a mental addiction.

[Kratos]

the only way you could claim any physical dependence, is if you were completely shut down, and werent coming back. then obviously you would require TRT to feel normal. but i still dont think that constitutes addiction. since its not a chemical dependence, on a chemical thats foreign to the body. its a hormone that your body is SUPPOSED to produce, but it isnt anymore.

anything else would be strictly a mental addiction.

why is it possible to be addicted to nicotine, but not possible to be dependant on a hormone? Why is the hamster giving it to himself??? It isn't to get huge you can bet.

How many people thought they'd just do one cycle, only to realize years later they've done several and looking forward to their next?

If the leap can be made by the medical establisment, it opens the door to further enforcement.

[Someguy123]

why is it possible to be addicted to nicotine, but not possible to be dependant on a hormone? Why is the hamster giving it to himself??? It isn't to get huge you can bet.

How many people thought they'd just do one cycle, only to realize years later they've done several and looking forward to their next?

If the leap can be made by the medical establisment, it opens the door to further enforcement.

ad-dic-tion

the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.


the part in bold is what holds the most weight with me. sure if you quit juicing, you feel kinda lethargic for awhile, till your hormones line out. but its not like quitting a chemical dependency, where your body physically cant function, until it learns to operate without the chemical.

but with the definition as a whole, i can understand your point of view, for classifying steroids , as being addictive. because being jacked, and full of energy sure can be habit forming. i dont think anybody here enjoys the feeling, when you go off cycle. and it can be psycologically habit forming, due to this reason as well.

[1bigun11]

If the leap can be made by the medical establisment, it opens the door to further enforcement.

Why would law enforcement need this study to justify further enforcement when its already got Kratos, Chucky and BJJ preaching the dangers of steroids , which will be used politically (and religiously) to justify further enforcement? If you want freedom of choice in this area, emphasize safety. And why would someone who is convinced they can't be used safely join a board like this unless they have ulterior motives? Or maybe Kratos, Chucky and BJJ welcome further enforcement. Maybe that's their point?

Or maybe Kratos' point in starting this thread was that he just wanted to stir the pot and get an argument/discussion started, and that no matter what anyone posts he's going to take the opposite side.

All I've got is my experience, which tells me the dangers of steriod use are grossly over-exagerated. I dont plan on stopping anytime soon. Hell my doctor wrote the presccription.

cheers.

[Kratos]

Why would law enforcement need this study to justify further enforcement when its already got Kratos, Chucky and BJJ preaching the dangers of steroids , which will be used politically (and religiously) to justify further enforcement? If you want freedom of choice in this area, emphasize safety. And why would someone who is convinced they can't be used safely join a board like this unless they have ulterior motives? Or maybe Kratos, Chucky and BJJ welcome further enforcement. Maybe that's their point?

Or maybe Kratos' point in starting this thread was that he just wanted to stir the pot and get an argument/discussion started, and that no matter what anyone posts he's going to take the opposite side..

I think the steroids went to your brain man.

Maybe I thought it was an interesting topic. Or that it's a good idea to keep our goals in check, and respect the drugs we are using.

[CRACKER]

I think the steroids went to your brain man.

Maybe I thought it was an interesting topic. Or that it's a good idea to keep our goals in check, and respect the drugs we are using.

^^^fvckin couldnt agree more well said kratos

[1bigun11]

I think the steroids went to your brain man.

Maybe I thought it was an interesting topic. Or that it's a good idea to keep our goals in check, and respect the drugs we are using.

I think its great to respect the drugs you are using. Based on my experience they can be used safely. When I pointed out earlier in the thread that I thought they could be used safely, you, BJJ and Chucky disagreed. Now you are flip flopping on it and saying maybe they can be.

I think steroids and studies have gone to your head. I prefer to listen to people with experience. And I know you dont get Thirty-Two Thousand (32,000) posts on a board like this by lifting weights and spending your time in the gym.

[BJJ]

Why would law enforcement need this study to justify further enforcement when its already got Kratos, Chucky and BJJ preaching the dangers of steroids , which will be used politically (and religiously) to justify further enforcement? If you want freedom of choice in this area, emphasize safety. And why would someone who is convinced they can't be used safely join a board like this unless they have ulterior motives? Or maybe Kratos, Chucky and BJJ welcome further enforcement. Maybe that's their point?

Or maybe Kratos' point in starting this thread was that he just wanted to stir the pot and get an argument/discussion started, and that no matter what anyone posts he's going to take the opposite side.

All I've got is my experience, which tells me the dangers of steriod use are grossly over-exagerated. I dont plan on stopping anytime soon. Hell my doctor wrote the presccription.

cheers.

Man, obviously you do not know me at all...

...but it has been a pleasure to KNOW You.

[chuckt12345]

Why would law enforcement need this study to justify further enforcement when its already got Kratos, Chucky and BJJ preaching the dangers of steroids , which will be used politically (and religiously) to justify further enforcement? If you want freedom of choice in this area, emphasize safety. And why would someone who is convinced they can't be used safely join a board like this unless they have ulterior motives? Or maybe Kratos, Chucky and BJJ welcome further enforcement. Maybe that's their point?

Or maybe Kratos' point in starting this thread was that he just wanted to stir the pot and get an argument/discussion started, and that no matter what anyone posts he's going to take the opposite side.

All I've got is my experience, which tells me the dangers of steriod use are grossly over-exagerated. I dont plan on stopping anytime soon. Hell my doctor wrote the presccription.

cheers.

Whatever makes you sleep better at night, Ignorance is bliss.

Do i feel AAS is grossly exagerated in the media? Of course and everyone on here will agree but thats not saying were oblivious to the fact there may be long term dangers when chronically using this drug.
Hey guess what i love blow as well and can use that safely but do i think its good for me if i would abuse it long term?

[Misery13]

why is it possible to be addicted to nicotine, but not possible to be dependant on a hormone? Why is the hamster giving it to himself??? It isn't to get huge you can bet.

How many people thought they'd just do one cycle, only to realize years later they've done several and looking forward to their next?

If the leap can be made by the medical establisment, it opens the door to further enforcement.

That was me... I did my first cycle when - was 19...then waited to do my 2nd one when I was 26 and now I do 3 cycles per year and I figure I will stop when I'm 36...so two and half more years...

[elfin1mf]

the only way you could claim any physical dependence, is if you were completely shut down, and werent coming back. then obviously you would require TRT to feel normal. but i still dont think that constitutes addiction. since its not a chemical dependence, on a chemical thats foreign to the body. its a hormone that your body is SUPPOSED to produce, but it isnt anymore.

anything else would be strictly a mental addiction.

This is how I understand it with the knowledge I have accumulated over the past 6 years. Recreational drugs have different pathways to addiction. Many physically addictive substances work by exploiting the drugs that our body naturally utilizes. With nicotine or cocaine and many other physically addictive substances, dopamine receptors are stimulated. This is generally referred to as the pleasure center of the brain. We naturally strive to acheive stimulation of these receptors, whether it comes from overeating (yes this is a way to stimulate dopamine) or from "drugs". I think that most hormones dramatically effect our mood which is regulated by a very complex system of chemicals. Some hormones cause a balance of these mood related chemicals to change in favor of positive moods, some of them make us feel shitty. It is retarded to believe that you cannot be addicted physically to something that the body makes naturally.

Once the famous painter Salvador Dali was asked if he used drugs. He replied "I AM drugs"

On a side note, hormone balance is key in addiction as well. For example: insulin uptake is also stimulated upon eating high glycemic carb meals. Ever hear of someone having a sweet tooth? Alcoholics boost their insulin uptake with every drink (which causes a chain reaction of many hormones to be utilized). I am familiar with alcoholism because certain members of my family have always been heavy drinkers. They always tend to replace alcohol with sweet foods when they are not drinking. Is this a surprise? what do you think...

While it is stupid to think that naturally produced hormones do not play a huge role in different addiction patterns, I personally think it is stupider to go around thinking that it is best not to mess with any hormones at all. Every time you eat a meal or exercise you are changing the balance of hormones and so many other chemicals in your body which will have a dramatic impact on mood and addiction. I bet many of you are familiar with the addiction to exercise. When I was a teen, I liked rec drugs. Then I got a little older and decided I get way higher from exercise. Then I found bodybuilding and discovered that I can get really high, improve my self image (and the way I appear to others), AND regulate my mood in favor of feeling good more often simply by lifting heavy weights in moderation. When you add hormones to the mix, I personally think it the right choice of hormones can improve your mood much further.

To take it even further, hormones and bodybuilding cause your brain to look at eating more food in a positive light. Not only does this allow you to stimulate more dopamine receptors more often from eating more, it can actually remove the drawbacks of feeling sorry for yourself because you ate more. It also allows you to eat more without getting fat. It is WELL documented that the fatter you are (especially with women) the more of an imbalance in hormones you will acheive in the direction of having depressed feelings.

[n00bs]

the only way you could claim any physical dependence, is if you were completely shut down, and werent coming back. then obviously you would require TRT to feel normal. but i still dont think that constitutes addiction. since its not a chemical dependence, on a chemical thats foreign to the body. its a hormone that your body is SUPPOSED to produce, but it isnt anymore.

anything else would be strictly a mental addiction.

Still an addiction...

The mind controls all...

Gambling is addictive, Im fairly certain feeling good is addictive as well...

Addiction is addiciton mental/physical at the end of the day its the same thing.

[Someguy123]

Still an addiction...

The mind controls all...

Gambling is addictive, Im fairly certain feeling good is addictive as well...

Addiction is addiciton mental/physical at the end of the day its the same thing.

personally, i think the word addiction is used WAY too freely nowadays. they call anything that people crave, an addiction. like "sex addiction" ?? what fcukin guy doesnt want sex all the time?? its not an addiction, its a natrual bodily function. i take a dump everyday, but im not "addicted" to taking sh!ts.


and really, when it comes down to it. nothing is really an addiction. all there is are addicts. which is just a word to describe someone with no will power.

[n00bs]

personally, i think the word addiction is used WAY too freely nowadays. they call anything that people crave, an addiction. like "sex addiction" ?? what fcukin guy doesnt want sex all the time?? its not an addiction, its a natrual bodily function. i take a dump everyday, but im not "addicted" to taking sh!ts.


and really, when it comes down to it. nothing is really an addiction. all there is are addicts. which is just a word to describe someone with no will power.

But will power is determined by neurotransmitters values to a degree...

But then the mind ahs the ability to overcome this...

This is a very long and indepth covnersation that alot of people dont have the capacity to really get into depth about it. I am one of those much like everyone else here, unless someone is a molecular phsyciatrist or something..

At the end of the day you dont feel desperate t take a shit, you dont sit on the toilet waiting for it to happen...

I played 15 hours of grand theft auto yesterday addicted? Perhaps... But we all have addictive personalitys look at us we are here on forums checking new posts and commenting on things because we feel we need to share and need to do this...

Addiciton is everywhere some just cant happen to see it..

However addiction is only bad when the consaquences of the addiciton become bad.

I like driivng my car at 200kmph... i feel a need to do that. Do i do it no? Why? Because i dont want to go to gaol.. If i had less will power i would simply do it ignore consaquences and do what makes me happy..

[1bigun11]

I am addicted to breathing oxygen, in this mix I inhale called air. If I dont breathe a little of it every day I get the shakes really, really bad. I have tried to quit many times, but cant. My body seems to be physically dependent on this substance! HELP!

[Swifto]

The definition of "dependance" and "addiction" are uttery important.

One seems to become addicted to the "gains" made during a course of AAS. But the hamster obviously isnt! Interesting.

[thebigfella]

i think there addictive in a way, duno if addictive is the rite word tho, when i finish a cycle i start planning my next 1. when im with my mates we all talk about juice, when im in my house i come on this website and read up on them. juice is a big part of my life lol

[Someguy123]

i think there addictive in a way, duno if addictive is the rite word tho, when i finish a cycle i start planning my next 1. when im with my mates we all talk about juice, when im in my house i come on this website and read up on them. juice is a big part of my life lol

this is the way a lot of us steroid users are i imagine. but on the same note, i could really like ice cream too. everytime i finish eating ice cream, i think about what kind im gonna eat next time. everytime im with my mates, we talk about ice cream. and everytime im at home, im reading the net for different kinds of ice cream to try. so would you say i was addicted to ice cream?? what would happen if i wasnt allowed to eat ice cream anymore?? i would just be upset that i dont get it anymore. but my body wouldnt physically shut down, or not function.

[Dukkit]

im addicted. yep. and proud of it. rather it be aas then the other items i used to be addicted to. the better (or bigger, faster, stonger. lol) of 2 evils.

[HenryHill]

im addicted. yep. and proud of it. rather it be aas then the other items i used to be addicted to. the better (or bigger, faster, stonger. lol) of 2 evils.

Its calle cross addiction. You will go back to the other drugs once you stop doing roids.
I'm the same way.

[thebigfella]

so does that make it mental addiction or not, i am also addicted to ice cream bro hahaha

[Someguy123]

so does that make it mental addiction or not, i am also addicted to ice cream bro hahaha

i was just making a point, that its all how you charecterize it. personally, i dont see anything as an addiction, if it doesnt cause a physical shock/trauma to your body, when you go without.

[1bigun11]

[QUOTE=Kratos;4967340] RESULTS: About 30% of AAS users appear to develop a dependence syndrome, characterized by chronic AAS use despite adverse effects on physical, psychosocial or occupational functioning.


Doesn't this suggest that the vast majority (70%) of chronic AAS users are, in fact, able to do without adverse effects on physical, psychosocial or occupational functioning?

[chuckt12345]

VERY ADDICTING,,, the proof is on this forum

[1bigun11]

VERY ADDICTING,,, the proof is on this forum

Addicting, yes, but if there are no significant adverse effects for the vast majority of users, then wtf is the problem? Answer, there is no problem, except that "addiction" sounds like a "bad" thing.

[Someguy123]

Addicting, yes, but if there are no significant adverse effects for the vast majority of users, then wtf is the problem? Answer, there is no problem, except that "addiction" sounds like a "bad" thing.

exactly!! you could be addicted to tying shoe laces. but nobody would ever call it an addiction. it has no adverse effects to your body.

[chuckt12345]

exactly!! you could be addicted to tying shoe laces. but nobody would ever call it an addiction. it has no adverse effects to your body.

you dont thnk long term use of steroids has no ill effect on your body?

[Someguy123]

you dont thnk long term use of steroids has no ill effect on your body?

no, not if you use them properly. seems all the ill long term effects, are based on genetic predisposition. and all steroids do, is speed up the process of something that would already happen to you naturally.

[.EA.]

AAS can very well be addicting, taking into account of addictive personalities and such.

AAS use and living with Bipolar is a whole new chapter.

AAS are the only thing that can turn a hypomaniac douchebag who thinks he's already superman into fkn god himself.

However it feels damn good. Withdrawal is not fun though, at all.

Going through PCT and quitting smoking at the same time is a life and death challenge situation. I basically went from training at the gym for at least 2 hours a day, sparring with my brother, heavy bag and speed bag training, running for a good half an hour and do whatever else I please going at 120% to I can't even fkn get out of bed because I wasted all of my energy wrestling one leg off the bed...

So yeah. If I have a choice of the prior or the latter...I think I prefer the prior...

[BJJ]

Addicting, yes, but if there are no significant adverse effects for the vast majority of users, then wtf is the problem? Answer, there is no problem, except that "addiction" sounds like a "bad" thing.

Wait till we are all older!
Then, you might say "no problem".

[1bigun11]

Wait till we are all older!
Then, you might say "no problem".

I'm 48 years old bro. Started using 25 years ago. How much longer do you want me to wait??????????????????????

[chuckt12345]

I'm 48 years old bro. Started using 25 years ago. How much longer do you want me to wait??????????????????????

umm i give it to about 55

[BJJ]

I'm 48 years old bro. Started using 25 years ago. How much longer do you want me to wait??????????????????????

60, bro.

[jcosley]

VERY ADDICTING,,, the proof is on this forum

I agree. I told my friend before I even started that "I just want to try one cycle to see what it's like". Now with all the awesome progress I made during it...I don't think I can not do another one. I actually have most of my supplies and ideas ready for my next one.

[Nobuddy]

it's completely possible and fairly common to become "addicted" to ANYTHING that brings a human pleasure. Smoking, drinking, whackin off, serial killing, the list in infinite.

i've warned many friends, that were coming our way - there is no ONE cycle, understand that BEFORE you pin that very first ml. i've had one guy prove me wrong, and he's kinda on the fence now about doing another one lol.

[chuckt12345]

mentally addicting,yes
chemically? not so much,, but then again say that to the HRT patient who comes off

[Mooseman33]

why do u use that color font?

it fvkin kills me man.

[Critical Mass]

I have serious withdravel symptoms when I go off them.

[chuckt12345]

why do u use that color font?

it fvkin kills me man.

x2
yea that green font suks,, i have to read the shite twice