Steroid Addiction Treatment

Steroid Addiction

Steroid abuse and steroid addiction often brings to mind competitive athletes who are trying to get an edge on the competition, such as extremely muscular bodybuilders. However, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), since the 1980s, steroid use by male, non-athlete weightlifters has exceeded steroid use by competitive athletes.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids, frequently shorted to “anabolic steroids” or just “steroids,” are synthetic substances that mimic naturally occurring testosterone in the body. They are sometimes used to treat medical conditions such as muscle loss, delayed puberty, low testosterone levels, and other circumstances, according to NIDA. But they are also very effective at increasing lean muscle mass in the body when they are used in tandem with weight training, and because of their muscle-building properties, they are frequently misused.

Anabolic steroid addiction and the side effects of anabolic steroids can cause a host of consequences affecting health, relationships and finances. In some cases, it may even lead to death. It can be extremely difficult to break free of an anabolic steroid addiction, but getting professional help can have a huge positive impact. Read on to learn more about anabolic steroid addiction and the addiction recovery services offered by The Phoenix Recovery Center.

What is Steroid Addiction?

A few things set steroid addiction apart from regular steroid abuse, according to NIDA:

Users continues to abuse anabolic steroids even when they are experiencing one or more of the following negative physical or psychological symptoms of steroid use:
- Breast growth (in men)
- Sexual dysfunction
- High blood pressure
- Excessive fats in the blood
- Heart disease
- Mood swings
- Severe irritability
- Aggressiveness
Users abandon important activities in their life they perceive will interrupt their workout schedule, diet, or steroid use
Users spend large amounts of money and time to obtain steroids
Users try to cut down on or stop use of steroids and fail
Users develop dependence on steroids and, if they stop using for even a short time, may experience the following anabolic steroid withdrawal symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Appetite loss
- Insomnia
- Reduced sex drive
- Steroid cravings

What Causes Steroid Addiction?

Steroid addiction begins with steroid abuse. According to NIDA, most of the people involved in steroid abuse are male, are in their 20s or 30s, and lift weights but are not professional athletes. Users of anabolic steroids frequently exhibit one or more of the following traits:

Low self-esteem
Depression
History of suicidal tendencies
Poor knowledge and attitude about health
Participation in sports that emphasize shape and weight
Parents concerned about weight
Eating disorders
Other substance use

Additionally, many people who use anabolic steroids suffer from muscle dysmorphia, where they think they look small, short, or weak even if they are actually big and muscular. A study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) says that for a male who has muscle dysmorphia, the goal is to get as large, muscular and “ripped” as possible.

According to NCBI, many people who are trying to achieve personal fitness or body goals may start out using sports and nutritional supplements but then, over time, turn to alternatives such as erythropoietin, human growth hormone, or anabolic steroids. As individuals start to see results, they feel encouraged to keep going, believing that just one more cycle of steroid use will get them to their goal — but there’s always one more cycle.

If you think you or a loved one is suffering from a steroid addiction, Get help today by calling (801) 438-3185

Types of Steroids

Anabolic steroids can be taken in a few different ways: orally, by injection, or through topical gels or creams applied to the skin.
The following types of steroids are examples of those that are commonly misused, according to NIDA:

Oral Steroids
- - Anadrol (oxymetholone)
  - Anavar (oxandrolone)
  - Dianabol (methandienone )
  - Winstrol (stanozolol)
  - Restandol (testosterone undecanoate)
Injectable Steroids
- - Deca-Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate)
  - Durabolin (nandrolone phenpropionate)
  - Depo-Testosterone (testosterone cypionate)
  - Agovirin (testosterone propionate)
  - Retandrol (testosterone phenylpropionate)
  - Equipoise (boldenone undecylenate)

What are the Symptoms of Steroid Addiction?

Anabolic steroids can cause severe and sometimes irreversible damage in users, according to NIDA. The term “Roid Rage” comes from the aggression that anabolic steroid abuse can cause, possibly as a result of the hormonal changes steroids make in the body. If you’re wondering how to tell if someone is on steroids (apart from using a urine test), these common side effects of anabolic steroids and symptoms of steroid use may offer a clue:

Skin
- Oily skin and scalp
- Abcess at injection site
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes due to damage to the liver)
- Severe acne and cysts
Liver
- Tumors
- Peliosis Hepatis
Cardiovascular System
- High blood pressure
- Artery damage
- Blood clots
- Stroke
- Heart attacks
Hormonal System
- Enlarged breasts (male)
- Decreased sperm production
- Shrinking of the testicles
- Testicular cancer
- Male-pattern baldness

Anabolic steroid abuse as well as anabolic steroids withdrawal symptoms can also result in psychiatric effects including anxiety, mania, hypomania, aggression, delusions, major depression, and other consequences.

How is Steroid Addiction Treated?

A major part of addressing steroid addiction is to tackle the underlying psychological issues at play, such as muscle dysmorphia or depression. Behavioral therapy and medication are viable steroid addiction treatment options, according to NCBI. A supervised detox period in which medical help is readily available to mitigate steroid withdrawal symptoms may also be helpful.

What Does Steroid Addiction Treatment look like at The Phoenix?

The Phoenix Recovery Center would like to help anyone who is struggling with steroid addiction. Our experts ensure that our steroid addiction treatment options are carefully tailored to each individual’s needs to bring about the greatest chance for success. The following treatment programs are available and can be customized to help those experiencing steroid addiction: Inpatient Residential Treatment, Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) Day Program, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), or General Outpatient Program (GOP).

Phoenix Recovery Experience

When you receive steroid addiction treatment from The Phoenix, you are given the best possible care to help you through the most difficult part of your recovery. But the treatment doesn’t stop there, because after your time with us, you and your family will leave fully equipped with the skills and tools you need to continue to build on your success in your recovery efforts. The concepts and knowledge you receive will help you to live a more rewarding life, strengthen your relationships with others, and continue to increase your well-being and self-confidence.

No matter where you are in the healing process, we of The Phoenix Recovery Center is excited to lend you support and answer your questions.

WHY CHOOSE US?

The Phoenix Difference

The Phoenix Difference constitutes a carefully tailored program and recovery experience defined by research. Every effort is directed at supporting outcomes that prepare patients and their families with both the knowledge and applied behaviors to manage mental health disorders and to reclaim a meaningful life.

Furthermore, The Phoenix Recovery Center is driven by the guiding mission statement: “Empowering individuals and families suffering from addiction and mental health disorders, to celebrate life through lasting solutions.” We accomplish the therapeutic and healing experience through a continuum of care that begins with Residential Treatment and traverses across a Day Program, Intensive Outpatient (IOP), to General Outpatient (GOP). Lastly, the continuum of care culminates in a weekly Alumni Support Meeting, which provides a recovery support community to sustain the recovery capital of The Phoenix Alumni.

WE CAN HELP

Steroid Addiction Rehab Centers Near Me:

489 West South Jordan Parkway Suite 400
South Jordan, Utah 84095

Call Now (801) 438-3185