+ 4 AAS Addiction
This is a topic I've thought about for many years: AAS Addiction
It's possible to be addicted to many things. Aside from the obvious such as tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, and heroin, we may also be addicted to less obvious things like certain foods like chocolate, sugary items like pastries and soft drinks, and things like sex, porn, love, or other emotions.
So it's clear that AAS addiction is not only possible, but prevalent. There are numerous examples in the cycle logs although they're not always obvious. The obvious ones are certainly mind-blowing sometimes like a 26 year old who has done '5 cycles and 10 oral cycles before that'.
The crux of my effort with writing this article is to raise awareness and to hopefully prevent some pain down the road for those who may have an AAS addiction. Think about your history - not just cycles that you've done, but in your life in general. Do you have an addictive personality? Ever found yourself obsessed with someone? Do you have any food addictions? Do you feel the need to consume alcohol on weekends or at any time? This is not something to be ashamed of. Just be aware that addiction to steroids can be just as deadly as any other addiction. And the problem with addictions is that they're fraught with denial.
What can be done about it? I suggest we all take a moment to pause and ask ourselves some hard questions. Be brutally honest about this as it could save a lot of future pain.
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I think it's addictive. I'm a recovered alcoholic and to be honest I'm lucky to be alive after all the abuse I put myself through. If I'm honest with myself, I think I have substituted an AAS addiction for my alcohol addiction.
I love bodybuilding and I stuck with it natty until I was really big and strong - only because I wanted to max my response from gear. I always intended to use gear. I spent years thinking about it before my first pin and if I had to be natty again for some reason - I think I would hang it up.
I love the way it looks and I love the way it feels and it's now I guess so much of an addiction it's part of my personality and lifestyle. I earned the name GearHead over a decade ago at the gym for obvious reasons and I still like the name from my gym buddies even today.
I love this website because in part it's all about what I love. Just like with alcohol - I make a great effort to make absolutely sure I will never run out of gear! I study all about gear. I have a library of books about gear and cycles. I am always researching the latest thinking about gear! It's an absolute obsession. I can write down detailed steroid profiles from memory. Sick, isn't it?
Anyways, I get labs every three weeks. Why three weeks? Just ended up being my habit. I don't want to get sick because that might mean needing to give up gear. Unthinkable!
I think there are lots of people addicted to AAS that don't realize it and would get wildly offended if someone ever suggested to them they might be hooked.
But for those of us that have had a drug or alcohol problem - I guess it's easier to admit.
god damn right its prevelant, altho rarely talked about, especially not honestly. i spent over 4 yrs actively working the narcotics anonymous program or recovery from drug abuse, sponsored many men and worked the steps all the way through several times. i see so much correlation and similarities in my own drug addiction and AAS usage. they say true addiction is characterized by 2 things, obssession and compulsion.
the obsession being the endless stream of thghts associated with the getting, using, and findinf ways and means to get more. the compulsion aspect of it being the inability to stop no matter what the consequences.
well i definitly have the obsession - when not on cycle im researching and planning the shit out of my next cycle, always looking at new sources and stockpiling gear, on this site every god damn day for over a year now, and i talk about it every chance i get.
the compulsion applies to me to because i cycled back to back thinkng i could escape any consequences, refusing to believe the outcome would be less than ideal. well, chances are i've permanently shut myself down because of it.
being in feels amazing, its absolutely mind and mood altering, and coming off blows donkey dick. that right there will always ensure there will be countless bros going on and never coming off, never wanting to give up that alpha male god-like high. it is what it is though, theres much worse things out there to be addicted to take it from me. best we can do is be safe and educate ourselves along with staying completely honest with ourselves about where we stand. awareness is the first step in preventing one from getting carried away imo
Great response brother! You have real world experience with both the good (AAS), and the bad and ugly (narcotics). And you recognize the correlation between their respective addictions.
Well put. This is probably the biggest reason for this addiction. Having that 'on cycle' high is quite euphoric.
Another well phrased thought. Awareness and balance are keys to staying healthy. +2 bro!
I don't think a cycle or AAS can make you feel "euphoric". Being an opiate addict, that was euphoria at it's best. With that I felt like I was floating, I was high, I was happy and loving.
With AAS, I just simply feel good physically and mentally. I know it sounds petty and I guess euphoria is an individual feeling for everyone but for me, AAS doesn't even come close to euphoria. That in my opinion was why stopping opiates was so difficult.
Euphoria has a wide spectrum. It's a general term: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/euphoria
I do understand the contrast between opiate induced euphoria and AAS euphoria. They certainly feel different, yet the same in the feeling of being happy and loving. Loving the feeling of being the king of the world and that anything is possible. There are variations of euphoria. I empathize with the much stronger psychological and physical addiction of opiates. They're surely more difficult to overcome. Congratulations on your sobriety from opiates and thanks for sharing. +1
RustyhookerNice! Yes, most of us are in that A type competitive gene pool. As such we're driven to do our best regardless of situation. Keeping focused and securing your goals without unnecessary harm isn't always easy.
Very true regarding the 'A' type personalities. We are driven in all we do and sometimes our view is clouded by our focus.
My addictions in no random order. Potato chips, Porn, (Usually eat the potato chips right before I watch porn good and greasy lay's) HGH, Testosterone, Sex, (no chips before, but sometimes after) watching sexy girls kiss, (although that falls under porn) THE GYM, Day time naps, Sweet Tea, Anything Lobster, Claws, Tail etc...with butter,. Addictions I had to give up no random order- Bro handshakes with half shoulder hug, Vodka, GHB - still miss it, Late night booty texting my Ex, and finally Road rage it gave me High BP.... Okay so really only a few of those are true and addictions are serious but to be honest be careful what you eat, drink, inject etc....too much of anything can lead to problems.
The interesting thing about gear addiction? it's contagious.
You see someone addicted to crack or heroin and you don't want to be anything like that. Look at a gear addict and you have a new goal physique.
True.
Anonppssshhhhh....I'm 100% addicted to juice, and I'm 100% ok with that.
Okay. Just be careful. Think things through thoroughly. Have multiple contingency plans and be prepared at all times to adapt.
I AM THE MASTER OF MY OWN DESTINY
Now that's an attitude... an attitude of a winner young man!
AnonGood post man.. all my boys here that know me know that i been into juice and lifting for some time.. the biggest i ever was is ehen i was 27,, think i was on 4 different compounds not including my oral kick.
Yes i was hooked on being a big motherfucker at 6'1 270lbs didnt give a shit.. wasnt long before i got injured and then injured again then hooked on lortabs
I lost it all and shriveled up like a worm on hot concrete.. i was hooked on juice yes .. and now i am working on gettin back the size i had now that I been clean for years and have learned so much from my mistskes and from the knowledge and friends here
Thank u BFG
But anyway yea i can tell you guys about mistakes
Now im gonna have to take Test from here on if i want to feel normal so im gonna bang bang and get the most i can out of it.. so in the meantime i try to help others from making the same mistakes i have.. seems like i say that alot but its true
I love this place more than anybody lol.. im here alot
Cant tell you how many pm i get from those who need hrlp and im glad to do it
Being hooked on aas can lead to much more problrms and addictions like pain killers and surgery
Take it from someone whos been there.. ive used all kinda compounds and u can get to where u dont wanna come off cycle.. dont be silly.. use your head
Thanks for sharing brother. Reminds me that you just never know about someone's life just by looking at them. We humans (and animals) have a natural inclination to pre-judge. The same is true here online. We see an avatar and instantly pass judgement. We can't help it. It's part of our survival mechanisms. We see someone who looks like a shriveled up worm on hot concrete, and we say, "Damn, that mother fucker needs to eat and hit the gym", not knowing his history. And I can relate at least somewhat to this. When I was on my first cycle at 28, I got too aggressive on my new Harley. Couldn't stop in time and smashed into the side of a car with my left leg smashed between the lower car door jamb and my bike. I went flying over the car and landed on asphalt about 20 meters in front of the car. I had a compound fracture of both my left tibia and fibula. Had surgery to implant an intramedular stainless steel rod through the bone marrow cavity running through the length of my lower leg and a couple pins to secure it at the side of my knee. The bone became infected and I ended up on intravenous antibiotics - very harsh on the body, for six weeks. I lost 80% of my on cycle gains within 3 weeks, and lost the remaining 20% within a year. And being an ecto, it's not easy to regain the muscle, although I know so much more about this game now. Genetics and diet being (I'd say) 90% of the formula.
Regarding the potential to be addicted to AAS, I personally was thinking during my recent cycle (I'm currently in PCT), that I love the feeling of being 'on cycle'. At 50 years old, I felt as though I rolled the clock back 20 years! I actually felt better and looked better (still holding my gains actually with a little more BF) minus the natural aging of the face, than I had for the past 20 years. So the feeling of being 'on cycle' is absolutely euphoric for me. So I recognize the possibility of getting addicted. Although if I were to be addicted to something, I'd rather be addicted to AAS than anything else on this planet.
And yes, I used to be a party animal! I lived to get wasted back in my 20s. But I've always had such strong resolve and will power that I've always been able to kick a bad habit with just a little effort. I quit smoking cold turkey several times. I know that sounds contradictory, but I would only re-start smoking after at least a year or more and usually due to a new gf or some other life experience. And haven't smoked in 20 years now.
OT: BTW bro, I sent you a PM 'TRT and PCT' back on Oct. 21. I wanted to know about the transition from cycling and PCT to TRT and your comment about 'laughing about it' in reference to doing PCT back in the day. I have a great deal of respect for guys like you who've got lots of real world 'grab the tiger by the tail' life experience like myself and I'd highly value your response. Thanks in advance brother!
AnonI have been able to get back over 80lbs can you beleive that? muscle memory is real bro?
did i not reply to that bud?
man i am so sorry dude, i no longer have that thread... i get so many pm from guys trying to help these fellas out
Plz send it to me again and refresh me ... and ill give my best insight again i apologize bro
Absolutely, muscle memory is real. I started growing the day I started lifting again and got back a lot of my previous gains from 20 years ago.
And actually brother, I owe you an apology because I just read your PMs from today and noticed the original response. All those PMs you get mean that your insights highly regarded.
AnonLol.. yea i noticed too .. i was like damn i did reply.. did he not get it? lol anyway holla at me anytime
"Regarding the potential to be addicted to AAS, I personally was thinking during my recent cycle (I'm currently in PCT), that I love the feeling of being 'on cycle'. At 50 years old, I felt as though I rolled the clock back 20 years! I actually felt better and looked better (still holding my gains actually with a little more BF) minus the natural aging of the face, than I had for the past 20 years. So the feeling of being 'on cycle' is absolutely euphoric for me. So I recognize the possibility of getting addicted. Although if I were to be addicted to something, I'd rather be addicted to AAS than anything else on this planet."
When you say that my first reaction about myself is that I'm addicted. After battling extreme grief over losing my mother suddenly, which led to opiate abuse, which led to suboxone, which led to being free of opiates and suboxone for 3 years now, I have since battled depression and anti depressants. I tried everything including getting in shape. I finally said fuck it and did a cycle. Realized I was a different person, realized I was me again. Went through pct and quickly remembered how shitty I felt. I have normal but on the lower side T levels so I made the choice to do my own thing... Blast/cruise/TRT. That probably means I'm addicted but it's a quality of life thing for me. I'll do it responsible. I'm well aware of my addictive personality so knowing I can't run high doses all year every year is key and even more so, following that rule. It's a fine line for sure but feeling good vs barely getting through each day is a huge difference in life style. I'm weeks away from being 38. I'm ok with TRT at this point.
So, part of me is embarrassed about my choices but the other part thinks fuck everyone else. Like Viking said, "I am the master of my own destiny" never been one to follow the straight and narrow path. I've always gone my own path. Sometimes for the good Sometimes for the bad.
AnonI know all about that
Suboxone is harder to get off of than the drug you were addicted to in the first place
Its crazy...use a more addictive drug to get off another
Its all about the slow taper. It was hard to get off of for sure but I honestly don't think physically I would have stopped the Blue demons had it not been for sub. I tapered long and slow. The last half milligram was a bitch to stop.
Thanks for sharing your story bro. When I hear people's histories of trial and tribulation, it's quite humbling. Conquering the mind is incredibly difficult and takes tremendous fortitude. Glad to hear you've conquered your demons and are on a path of wellness.
How very true. Good for you for taking the time to get off and sticking with the plan. You really are an exception to the rule.
Anonyeah but I can stop anytime..
Yup... you're addicted. ;-D
I cant see a time now when I won't use gear. I used gear when I was in my late 20s and again when I was 31. Back then I could happily take it or leave it.
Now at 39 I feel like I need it and dont want to live without it. I'll try pct again but just as likely to do a trt dose of test to see me through ti'll my next cycle.
When I used gear when I was younger it was more toΒ break a plateau, now its part of my life for the considerable future.
I think theirs a lot of people on gear for life now, it's just so easily available, regardless of age.
It's definitely a lifestyle drug, just gotta make sure you live up to it.
Right. Well, being on TRT is certainly on the rise. And most who are, I'd think, are not addicted. I know that as a young man, I had much more impulsive behaviour and therefore much more of an inclination to be addicted. Although, luckily I have an iron will which affords me the ability to just say no.
Many here (and im not giving names) do cycle after cycle after cycle one right after another one and then turn around & tell others to take time off smh.... Not sure if is a double moral/standart but some dudes here are like a bad Preacher, they tell you not to do drugs not to drink not to gamble, but weekend comes and they do everything they said it was a sin....
My point is, while some give advice in how to cycle properly they doing to total oposite to them selves, my .02 cents here
Bad preachers - I've seen too many of them. Good points mate.
i personally believe that aas is addictive psychologically. Do to the very euphoria it provides ones vanity with being stronger, faster, and more elite. I personally don't like the idea of being mastered by anything. But if I am I would be the last to know it do to the ability to justify anything to myself if given enough desire to do so.
BigBmajExcellent point. I'm often the last to realize something about my behavior.
I try to tell myself daily that anything is possibly true. I think that helps free me up for potential awareness and insight.
Brilliant insight Pank.
βHe who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.β
β Lao Tzu
'Euphoric recall' is when an addict remembers all the positive experiences associated with their addiction rather than the negative experiences. I can relate to euphoric feelings when on cycle as you mentioned. And I recognize this euphoria as addictive in itself as it occurs. Realizing this concept makes it easy to see how/why some tend to 'over medicate'.
I had a bad addiction to pills as well as drinking at 18..., I was going downhill fast with life and couldn't see a bright way out at times. Then I started to realize I wanted to be different from everyone. I wanted to strive for greatness and not turn out like a piece of shit like most do these days. I had always been into weight lifting and loved it. Then one day out of the blue I told myself this was gonna be my life. I quit drinking almost 2 years ago now, honestly you couldn't pay me enough to drink a beer because if it ain't helping me it's hurting me. Then one day I was talking to a pro at a local nutrition seminar and he told me to compete. I had always dreamed up competing and 5 months later I did my first show. Now this is what I want my life to revolve around is health and bodybuilding
Great story bro. Keep up the positive attitude and hard work.
Ok I'll kick this one off...I was a binge partier and a binge eater for a while. No denial, I'm surprised it didn't kill me. I took up bodybuilding as my outlet. I run high doses, many compounds and things that a lot of people would never touch. But bodybuilding gives me the opportunity to succeed in many things in life, i cannot say the same for my former lifestyle.No matter what you do in life there is always give and take, you always have to pay to play. There really isn't anything you can do. It is up to the individual to determine their fate. I can tell you this, I'll take dying from complications due to bodybuilding over dying from snorting too much shit any day and I believe my family has the same sentiments. I would hate for this to happen but it is my decision...I'm a firm believer in you have to live for yourself first before you can be an asset to anyone else. If you aren't pushing the limits in life what are you here for
I like this brother. And I completely agree that there are constructive substances like steroids and destructive substances like 'party drugs' and that steroids when taken smartly in moderation pose little risk to health and in fact enhance wellness. It is absolutely up to an individual to determine their own fate and we no doubt have to pay to play. The question is how much does one want to play and how much is one willing to pay. Often times, 'the want' overwhelms the price we're ultimately willing to pay.
I put everything I have into it, I'm behind so it's the only way. I compare it to starting a business...you out everything you have into it in the hopes that success will come, the stress might kill you but the reward is great. At least with bb it's more in my hands
I know exactly what you're referring to regarding business. This is a very good analogy. Assessing the risk/reward is critical, and when it's assessed as anticipated, the rewards are great.