The Dangers of Steroid Withdrawal

The spotlight is on professional sports and steroids once again, with the discovery of the apparent murder-suicide of the family of pro-wrestler Chris Benoit. Anabolic steroids were found in his home, but WWE President Vince McMahon has announced that Benoit tested negative for the drug in April. Some still say that steroids and the resulting "roid rage" are a possible cause of the unconscionable crime because most athletes quit before the test and stack up after. A little known fact, however, is that steroid withdrawal symptoms are just as dangerous, and may last up to and well after a year from the date the user quits taking the drug.

Anabolic steroids have been in use since the 1960's, but little is known about the after affects of the drug-what happens when the user quits. Most of the time, the symptoms are masked by use other illegal drugs, taken to alleviate the depression, insomnia, and other psychological affects of the drug. In most cases, however, the withdrawal symptoms are not reported, that is, until someone gets hurt. Despite the shortage of specimens, scientists have been able to study the psychological effects of steroids in users who did try to get help.

In Brian Corrigan's Australian Medical Journal Article, he outlined the effects of steroids during and after prolonged use. His focus was the psychological symptoms that users experience. Users reported instance of depression, mania, and hypomania. According to Corrigan, "steroid users
The withdrawal symptoms of steroids affect every former user differently. For some, the withdrawal symptoms end after stopping use. Others have permanent psychological damage from use. For example, one patient reported schizophrenic behaviors that went away when he stopped using steroids. Another had to seek psychiatric help after quitting the drug in order to conquer the prolonged depression he experienced.

Scientists are still studying every aspect of these symptoms to better understand the drugs. For now, one of the hazards of steroids should be the after effects. There is a chance that even with limited steroid abuse that the user could be inflicted with the psychological symptoms after quitting. There is no evidence of a predisposition for the terrible withdrawals. As with all other types of drug abuse; it only takes one time to learn how one reacts.