Withdrawal symptoms
During the withdrawal phase, the typical symptoms include severe depression, apathy, suicidal ideations, extreme anxiety, racing thoughts, insomnia, decrease libido, numerous somatic complaints and headaches. Most complain of an assortment of body aches and pains.
There is belief that some body builders who stop using anabolic steroids start to see their bodies revert back to normal and they simply are not able to face up to such a body. This feeling compounds the problem and intensifies the appetite for anabolic steroids.
Today, the DSM- 3 also a sub classification of disorders related to anabolic steroids and dependence.
Mechanism(s) of dependence
How dependence to anabolic steroids occurs is not fully understood. There are suggestions that there may be an association with certain opioid neurotransmitters or to levels of endogenous sympathomimetic amines. Todate, a few athletes who have developed full blown dependence and withdrawal symptoms have been treated with supportive drug therapy.
There is no antidote to steroid drug dependence. When individuals who have developed steroid dependence are weaned of these drugs, they also remain dependent on other prescription medications like xanax and pain killers.
There is other data that indicate that individuals who abuse anabolic steroids also abuse many other illicit drugs like opioids, cocaine and alcohol. While the number of individuals with multiple addictions is low, there is concern that the abuse of prescription drugs is at an all time high in the same individuals.
Conclusion
With many reports of Roid rage and deaths in users of anabolic steroids, there is a great awareness among the medical community about these substances. Today, the field of psychiatry has taken a greater interest in these drugs. The potential signs and symptoms are now being recognized more frequently, so that appropriate treatment can be initiated.
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