Anabolic Steroid Abuse

Abstract

SUMMARY Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) have legitimate medical uses, however during the last decade there has been a strong increase in the abuse of steroids. Numerous physiological and psychological disorders have been associated with the prolonged abuse of AAS. Chronic steroid abuse has been associated with psychiatric disorders such as increased anxiety, depression, mania, and psychosis. In addition, there is evidence of anabolic androgenic steroid addiction among chronic abusers. In recent years, progress has been made in ascertaining the effects of AAS on the central nervous system. AAS have been shown to modulate a wide range of neurotransmitter systems that have been suggested to play a role in brain reward function and in a variety of psychiatric disorders. Further research is warranted to investigate anabolic androgenic steroid addiction liability and to develop novel treatments for withdrawal symptomatology.