Abstract
Anabolic Androgenic Steroid (AAS) abuse in the society is considered a health problem and has been associated with cardiovascular toxicity, endocrine disruption, as well as psychiatric symptoms such as aggression and cognitive dysfunction. Men and women abusing AAS, as well as persons in close relationship to AAS abusers, may encounter concerns. Subsequently, the Anti-Doping Hotline was formed 1993 to answers questions about doping in the society. Here we have reviewed 7,123 enquiries posted on the Anti-Doping Hotline website between 2005 and 2018 to see what type of questions were raised. Most questions (n = 2,924) involved AAS, 60% from abusers themselves, and 17% from a person close to an AAS abusers. Only 2.3% of the questions concerned AAS abusing women. Of the AAS specific questions most were from persons who sought personal advice regarding risks and side effects. Notably, the AAS abusers themselves were concerned about somatic side effects (e.g., gynecomastia) and problems related to the AAS injection. The persons in close relationship to an AAS abusers on the other hand, expressed concerns about psychiatric changes including mood swings and aggressivity. In addition to AAS, 26 and 13% of the questions involved dietary supplements and other doping substances, respectively. A gradual decrease of questions regarding ephedrine was noted, whereas the numbers of SARMs related questions increased during this time. Our results show that there is a continuous need to provide medical, nursing, and social support and counseling to AAS abusers and their next of kin.
Highlights
Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are a family of hormones that comprises testosterone and it’s synthetic derivatives that are abused for their muscle growth and performance enhancing effects [1]
It is possible that some subjects are not willing to admit their AAS use since AAS are illegal in Sweden, and/or due to fear of being judged, even though the questions were submitted anonymously
It is possible that the questioners seeked information prior to planned abuse which would be in line with studies showing that AAS abusers seek for knowledge before making strategic choices e.g., to minimize harm and maximize effects [9]
Summary
Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are a family of hormones that comprises testosterone and it’s synthetic derivatives that are abused for their muscle growth and performance enhancing effects [1]. AAS are forbidden in elite sport and every year, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) publishes a list of prohibited substances comprising over 60 AAS and their metabolites. AAS are forbidden outside the WADA community i.e., they are illegal to possess and sell, and in some countries even to administer. AAS have been associated with many somatic and psychiatric adverse effects, and 88–99% of AAS abusers report subjective adverse effects [2, 3]. There is a need for a public counseling support where questions and concerns can be raised about doping in general and AAS in particular, by people not engaged in elite sports.
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