JARHEAD2's picture
JARHEAD2
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+ 10 Can AAS use become addictive?

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Miriam-Webster defines addiction as follows:

Definition of addiction for English Language Learners

a strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as a drug) or do something (such as gamble)

:an unusually great interest in something or a need to do or have something

Psychology Today states in an article on addiction this description.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/addiction

However, most addictive behavior is not related to either physical tolerance or exposure to cues. People commonly use drugs, gamble, or shop compulsively in reaction to being stressed, whether or not they have a physical addiction. Since these psychologically based addictions are not based on drug or brain effects, they can account for why people frequently switch addictive actions from one drug to a completely different kind of drug, or even to a non-drug behavior. The focus of the addiction isn't what matters; it's the need to take action under certain kinds of stress.

I will briefly give my opinion at first, & hopefully others will chime in with thoughts & research.

In my opinion, AAS use, like anything else, can become habitual & habitual can indeed progress into addiction. I know in my case that I have an addictive personality & an addictive trait & with schooling from the school of hard knocks & many lessons learned the hard way, I have learned that I must hold myself accountable & monitor my actions. I have been both an alcoholic & a severe drug addict. Just like many here, when I got clean I turned to the gym & AAS use. Both have been therapeutic, but I have had to put the brakes on myself with the AAS use in the past. I have seen some that loved the injection & it seemingly gave a high, as well as constantly running new cycles, adding compounds habitually, & even the purchasing has became addictive & lets not forget promos.
I want this to be a learning experience & by bringing this subject to light giving individuals an opportunity to check themselves & the intent of why we do what we do. I for one have seen selfish choices of AAS & even excessive gym time cause family troubles & divorces. When we neglect those we love such as children or spouse to indulge in our pleasures, I believe we have lost sight of the goal & the reasons we started on this path. There’s nothing wrong with competing or just trying to live a healthy life or making them gains, but there’s not a greater blessing in this world than family!! Smile

Nattyboomba's picture

Thanks man

Manshit's picture

Bland repetitive meals?Man you need to FR me and I can help you with that.

Nattyboomba's picture

You got it man. I'd appreciate it. I'd love to improve my dietary selection. FR sent.

Manshit's picture

There are quite a few studies that show a link to steroids and other addiction.Back in the day it was Nubaine,bodybuilders loved it.Most of those guys ended up switching to heroin.Then came the GHB era.That one was supposed to be addiction free,but of course it wasn't.Oxycotilin is the new one, or opana but none the less there is a psychological component to it as a whole.There is a group of body builders that live on the edge,and their lifestyle is about something other than fitness.
Now there is another group that bodybuilding has saved.They may have swapped one addiction for another but the bodybuilding is a much healthier compulsion.

JARHEAD2's picture

I will do some research, but I fully agree!

win3200's picture

I think it can be, maybe not the substances themselves but the feeling you get when on cycle. The enhanced pump, the increase in confidence and the compliments from the opposite sex. All that can become addictive.

KMC's picture

You should ask if EROIDS is addictive???

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JARHEAD2's picture

Hey man that was my next big question :-/
Do you think someone is addicted to EROIDS lol

DfromPhilly's picture

I’m addicted to my dog, and my girl would tell you -I’m addicted to eroids and looking at/organizing my gear.

As stated below. Lol

JARHEAD2's picture

Bahahaha

KMC's picture

Yes,.......... the list is pretty long.

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JARHEAD2's picture

Lol... you always crack me up brother!

Gettingbig's picture

I didn't even have to read the above but I will.
I say yes without a doubt its a drug that gives you a result and its a instant gratification which is what addicts love so anyone who has a past with substance abuse always has to be careful using aas it could turn into a problem quick.

Not to mention that pct could easily throw you into a relapse. All those emotions and feeling. Hormones all over the place times of depression times of being up not high but feeling good.

Definitely can be addictive but so can Krispy cream and McDonalds

Manshit's picture

Ummmm Krispy Kreme !!!!!!!!

Muffins's picture

I speculate the addiction is to the gains. Then throw in some body dismorphia. One associates steroids with fast gains. You still put in a lot of work but steroids make it happen faster.

JARHEAD2's picture

I definitely believe that is one aspect of it!! No gain is enough:) That’s also why so many push the envelope alof adding compounds, extending cycles & even time between cycles.

DfromPhilly's picture

I’m addicted to my dog, and my girl would tell you I’m addicted to eroids and looking at/organizing my gear. But I like to think I’m pretty responsible with the actual use.

PPG said it perfectly. None of us are gonna go through withdraw from no gear like opiates or nicotine (unless you consider low T withdraw), but lots of guys are mentally addicted like with gambling or porn.

That being said anything can be mentally addictive to the right person.

JARHEAD2's picture

Low T I think could be considered a withdrawal, but what about depression or lack of motivation? Would that still be considered mental or physical?

Nattyboomba's picture

Yep. When your body is struggling to reach homeostasis as a result of the sudden cessation of a exogeneous compound, that is withdrawal. For instance, opiates are so effective because your body has tons of recptors for them. While you're inundating your receptors with the exogeneous source your body stops producing neccessary neurotransmitters via negative feedback loop. Same result with low T after a run. Obviously an entirely different system, but similar result; your body is struggling to find homeostasis and you feel it.

Greg's picture

I'm not motivated to get depressed. :-/

Sam I Am's picture

Me neither. Couple that with ED and I’m jonesin for the needle.

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JARHEAD2's picture

LOL... I’ve know some people that seems to have that mindset. It’s like they’re not happy unless they’re depressed!

DfromPhilly's picture

Mental in my opinion. Depends what it’s stemming from tho. If it’s from low T, then it’s a chemical cause. If it’s just cuz your said you don’t feal like Superman, you’re being a little bitch. ;)

JARHEAD2's picture

I found this article that is very interesting, but here’s a few snips of it.
https://www.elementsbehavioralhealth.com/behavioral-process-addictions/i...

The idea of a behavioral addiction calls many people’s accepted definition of addiction into question. Addictions are not limited to substances, with gambling addiction, sex addiction and Internet addiction being examples of addictions to specific patterns of behavior. This may be puzzling at first, but the truth is that behavioral addictions are ultimately chemical in nature too: it’s just that those chemicals happen to be naturally-occurring substances in the brain. This means—despite how counterintuitive it may seem—there are withdrawal symptoms associated with behavioral addictions that are very similar to those experienced by long-term drug users. Drugs often release large quantities of these chemicals, but they are intended for use by the body in ordinary circumstances. Dopamine is used as a “motivator” and reward chemical, and is used to make us like doing things we need to do, like eating and having sex. In other words, other activities can stimulate the release of these chemicals too. This is why behavioral addictions are effectively the same thing as drug addictions, because they’re both really addictions to natural chemicals that cause euphoria. The reason some people are more susceptible to addiction is thought to be a mixture of genetic and environmental influences.

Withdrawal is the word for the deficit of these neurochemicals that occurs when the large, forced doses cease being delivered. The brain is overwhelmed by the overabundance of these chemicals and reduces natural production to compensate, so when the outside influence stops elevating their levels, the person is left with a deficit. This produces withdrawal symptoms, and often serves to make the person crave the substance or activity in question. With drugs, the withdrawal symptoms are related to the specific chemicals involved, but frequently involve things like agitation, anxiety and restlessness.

DfromPhilly's picture

Interesting for sure. But as someone that’s gone through severe opiate withdrawal, it’s hard to sympathize too much with a withdraw that just makes you moody. Refer to my previous “being a little bitch” statement lol.

I’m mostly joking, but in all seriousness, it’s definitely interesting and something to think about.

irongame427's picture

lol I wish opiate withdrawal just made you moody. Fucking methadone withdrawal was horrible, absolutely awful. I couldn't sleep for weeks. After 96hrs straight I finally went to the hospital and they gave me ambien and some other shit and it still didn't put me to sleep. Just made me so wobbly I got out of bed and fell over, then did it again in the bathroom into the tub. It was bad.

DfromPhilly's picture

You ain’t kidding. To be fair though, if it just made you moody I’d probably still be scratching away and probably about 30-40 lbs lighter at least.

DfromPhilly's picture

And I can relate about the sleep. I was 19 and still living at home. My parents went to bed and I cleared their liquor cabinet, not trying to get drunk, just trying to get to sleep. By some miracle I didn’t get alcohol poisoning, but didn’t get to sleep either. Just felt worse. Useless. Worst experience of my life.

JARHEAD2's picture

Congratulations brother! A good friend of mine was hooked on methadone & I know it’s a beast... bless you man for making it!!

greenlantrn2's picture

I could not imagine the hell of kicking a true heroin or opiate addiction. That is the one drug in all my experimenting and fun weekend binges I never touched. A long term prescription of daily Xanax was probably one of the harder for me, took a long time of wheening down in steps to get it back to a only take when totally necessary and thankful I did.

JARHEAD2's picture

Congratulations man for kick the xanny!!! It was literally the worst suffering I had ever been through coming off the heroine & opiates, but it was completely worth it & I wish I had done it sooner.

DfromPhilly's picture

Yea i wish I could say the same. it’s not fun. It was about 13-14 years ago now, but I still remember it like yesterday. Like the worst flu you’ve ever had multiplied by 10 with no sleep, random spasms and thinking your gonna die, plus knowing all you need to do to make it go away is a little taste.

And Respect for kicking the Xanax. I’ve heard that’s not a peach either. + that’s great man

JARHEAD2's picture

I’m half joking

Lol... I know right. Part of the problem could be the maturity level of a younger generation & the fact that being selfish, spoiled & soft sometimes seems prevalent. I watched major changes take place in the Marine Corps with a different generation. They didn’t feel they had to tolerate the anxiety that our drill instructors put us through, although is was training for situations where those lessons would be applicable! SMH

DfromPhilly's picture

They didn’t feel they had to tolerate the anxiety that our drill instructors put us through

I’ve just lost all hope for the future. Fuckin hell.

DfromPhilly's picture

And while we can kind of say low t is a form of withdrawal, it’s in a way not fair because it’s now a medical condition (although one we likely caused) like thyroid or blood pressure. Your body now needs the meds to function normally. But no one would claim they’re addicted to blood pressure meds. You know?

I dunno. That’s a tough one. And like old guys that never used gear that go on TRT, that’s natural so we wouldn’t call that withdrawal. I dunno where I stand there. Semantics I suppose.

JARHEAD2's picture

I can also see both sides clearly!

JARHEAD2's picture

Lol :)))

JARHEAD2's picture

Dopamine is a chemical in your brain that causes you to seek pleasure from things like food, sex, and drugs. Pleasure sounds nice in theory, but dopamine is responsible for self-destructive behavior. Thus, becoming a slave to your notifications can destroy your self-control in a hurry. If that wasn’t bad enough, the human desire to be liked and accepted is at play, too.

From an article on Facebook addiction. I believe it’s also relative to any addiction including AAS.

Cummin apart's picture

Good writing man!
I'm in this category also, as far as alcohol and drugs go.
My wife helps me stay in check all the time... although sometimes I wish she didn't
I kinda need it when I sit back and look at it!

JARHEAD2's picture

Lol... wives are good for that & I have learned over 20 years of marriage to my wife to embrace those characteristics of hers as well!!

protonguy123's picture

from my perspective, anything can be addictive. Food, sex, AAS, gambling, exercise, drugs, work, porn, logging in on eroids, etc etc. Its just a matter of using and not abusing, knowing your limits, or just avoiding bad stuff entirely.

JARHEAD2's picture

Yes sir!!!

stairmaster's picture

I don't agree with "work" and "logging in on eroids" cause I never log out haha

stairmaster's picture

In my opinion you can't stop taking roids without a doc, psychiatrist or a very strong mentality.

But it's not as hard as with hard drugs,opiats or sedatives.

good posting +

Sam I Am's picture

Amen

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JARHEAD2's picture

Thanks mate! I agree to Bro

PPGfreak's picture

Physically, no.
Mentally, yes.

Similar to gambling if that makes sense.

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stairmaster's picture

well said +

MegaTRON13's picture

I absolutely agree! Good point bro and nice post my brother Jarhead

JARHEAD2's picture

Thanks brother Smile