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What are the symptoms of withdrawal from steroids?
Athletes who abuse steroids often take them in a "cycling"
pattern: They take the drugs in very high doses for a period of
weeks or months, then stop taking them.(1,2) Stopping
anabolic steroids can lead to several physical and psychological
side effects, such as "depression, fatigue, decreased sex drive,
insomnia, loss of appetite, dissatisfaction with body image, and
craving for more steroids."(1,3)
Some researchers feel that there are two phases to the
withdrawal, but this concept is not widely accepted:(3,4) Phase
I occurs during the first week of withdrawal, and includes flu-
like symptoms such as joint pain, runny nose, diarrhea, and
elevated temperature.(3,4) Phase II begins the second week of
withdrawal and may last up to several months; symptoms are
depression and craving for steroids.(3,4) Whether this model
adequately describes the withdrawal symptoms of high-dose steroid
abuse or not, suicidal depression may occur after steroids are
withdrawn.(4-6) If possible, withdrawal from steroids should be
monitored by a health care professional to determine the risk of
suicide in each case.
REFERENCES
1. Brower KJ, Eliopulos GA, Blow FC, Catlin DH, Beresford TP.
Evidence for physical and psychological dependence on anabolic
androgenic steroids in 8 weight lifters. American Journal Of
Psychiatry 1990 Apr;147(4):510-2.
2. Kashkin KB, Kleber HD. Hooked on hormones - an anabolic
steroid addiction hypothesis. JAMA J Am Med Assoc 1989 Dec
8;262(22):3166-70.
3. Brower KJ, Catlin DH, Blow FC, Eliopulos GA, Beresford TP.
Clinical assessment and urine testing for anabolic-androgenic
steroid abuse and dependence. American Journal Of Drug And
Alcohol Abuse 1991;17(2):161-71.
4. Brower KJ. Addictive potential of anabolic steroids.
Psychiatric Annals 1992 Jan;22(1):30-4.
5. Narducci WA, Wagner JC, Hendrickson TP, Jeffrey TP. Anabolic
steroids - a review of the clinical toxicology and diagnostic
screening. Journal Of Toxicology-Clinical Toxicology
1990;28(3):287-310.
6. Brower KJ, Blow FC, Eliopulos GA, Beresford TP. Anabolic
androgenic steroids and suicide. American Journal Of
Psychiatry 1989 Aug;146(8):1075.
by Trent Tschirgi, R. Ph.
(c) 1992 University of Maryland Office of Substance Abuse Studies.
All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer: Steroid use is illegal in a vast number of countries around the world. This is not without reason. Steroids should only be used when prescribed by your doctor and under close supervision. Steroid use is not to be taken lightly and we do not in any way endorse or approve of illegal drug use. The information is provided on the same basis as all the other information on this site, as informational/entertainment value.
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Disclaimer: The information presented is intended to be used for educational purposes only. The statements made have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Please consult with your own physician or health care practitioner regarding any suggestions and recommendations made.