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Are Anabolic Steroids Addictive?

From National Institute on Drug Abuse, for About.com

Updated: November 30, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Question: Are Anabolic Steroids Addictive?
Answer: An undetermined percentage of steroid abusers become addicted to the drugs, as evidenced by their continuing to take steroids in spite of physical problems, negative effects on social relations, or nervousness and irritability.

Also, they spend large amounts of time and money obtaining the drugs and experience withdrawal symptoms such as mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, reduced sex drive, and the desire to take more steroids.

The most dangerous of the withdrawal symptoms is depression, because it sometimes leads to suicide attempts. Untreated, 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.

Back to: Anabolic Steroids FAQ

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