Addiction to Anabolic-androgenic Steroids: A Review

Abstract

Presently, there is an emerging understanding the sociological, ethical and medical-scientific understandings of addiction. Simultaneously, there is a new understanding of synthetic hormones in relation to the users who are largely not athletes, and the nature of illicit hormonal supplementation, which has potential for user dependency. Given that what we knew about anabolic-androgenic steroid use needs an update, it is worthwhile examining the phenomenon of AAS addiction. Addiction to AAS is an understudied condition which has been shown to mimic the neurological elements of other drugs of addiction. With a realization of the potential for AAS users to have compromised volition in their drug abuse, it demands an opportunity to rethink received wisdom about AAS use and all users, both athlete and non-athlete.