Drug and Alcohol Rehab Solutions for Addiction

News stories about athletes suspected of using anabolic steroids to smash records have brought this issue to the forefront. Now whenever someone breaks a record, steroids are suspected. The term “roid rage” has entered our everyday vocabulary. However, anabolic steroid use and addiction is not just rampant among professional athletes. It also affects high school and college athletes. Current estimates are that around 4% of twelfth grade students have tried steroids at some point in their lives, and the number is surely higher among college athletes. Anabolic steroid use and addiction can cause long-term health problems, and is very difficult to overcome.

Many people are addicted to anabolic steroids, and they aren’t all professional athletes. From the high school football player hoping for a scholarship, to the amateur bodybuilder trying to make it big, to the boxer wanting more punch in his gloves, steroid use is more common than people believe. Studies show it crosses racial and economic lines, and is even becoming more prevalent in female athletes. While there are some legitimate uses for steroids in the treatment of various hormonal disorders, these doses are carefully prescribed and regulated. Most people who use steroids, however, are doing so illegally.

When taken for non-medicinal purposes, anabolic steroids can cause many long-term health problems. The well known “roid rage” can cause a man to have an uncontrollable and violent temper. Pro wrestler Chris Benoit killed his wife and young son before hanging himself. The autopsy found that he had more than ten times the normal level of testosterone in his system, and that this was most likely due to steroid use. Besides the violent temper, anabolic steroid use can cause paranoia, depression, impaired judgment, and delusions. Longer-term issues include an increased risk of cancer, liver tumors, and decreased sperm count. Additionally, long-term anabolic steroid use produces side effects similar to that of drug addiction- craving the steroids, inability to stop taking them, and withdrawal symptoms.

Because of the withdrawal symptoms, a complete detox is often best accomplished as part of an overall treatment program under the supervision of professionals. Although anabolic steroid abuse is not new, its increased use among professional athletes has brought it to the forefront. From baseball players to body builders, more people than ever are using steroids to try and get an edge in their chosen sport. However, because of their dangerous side effects, steroids are not the way to get ahead. Instead, good diet, hard work, natural supplements and building determination through mental exercises works best for all levels of performance.