Okay so this title may be a bit confusing so I'll just clarify what Im trying to convey here.

Suppose an individual (yes, me but Im not even going to consider purchasing anything until I've put my research in and get some feedback as to whether or not this is even a viable option) had lifted seriously NATURALLY for years. Nutrition, training, recovery, etc was all on point; essentially they knew how to train in a way that worked for them, how to eat to ensure they made consistent progress (ie. taking down a plate of food even when they've eaten 5x that day and they want to spit the first forkful out but know they have to finish it to ensure the best chance of improving next workout), all that stuff.

Im gonna stop talking in the 3rd person now lol. So after about 2.5-3 years of that (training with Powerlifting goals in mind), I weighed 255ish at 5ft 9, prob between 20-25%bf, and had best lifts of 585x5 beltless/455 tng/655 beltless (squat, bench, deadlift). I then had to stop due to entering dental school and really never got a chance to start back up again for the last 3 years simply because the curicculum is so intense/time consuming. Now we've all heard anecdotally or even from personal experience (as well as recent research on this topic) how much faster a previously trained individual who took a period of time off can regain what they've lost vs. someone starting at square one. Ive also heard from individuals such as alan aragon, lyle mcdonald, jason blahs, etc that while this phenomenon of "muscle memory" certainly exists, it has diminishing returns with time, ie. don't expect to take a few years off and blow back up after a few months of training (essentially my case). Basically at that point, while muscle memory may play some role in their progress, they are essentially re-experiencing "newb gains."

So after that long prologue, heres my question:
If i were to use AAS (basic test cycle; again Im absolutely not jumping into this after a few "yes" answers, I understand these are powerful drugs with potentially serious side effects if not used responsibly and I intent to approach their use with that understanding in mind, if I do decide this is a viable option at all) now and regain my previous size and lifts (or even close to them, say 80%), do you believe I would have a greater chance of maintaining these "regains" during and after PCT simply because I have been at that weight, lifted those weights, etc before naturally and use of AAS will not take me anywhere I haven't already been in terms of size/strength?
I realize this sounds like using them as a shortcut and TBH, yes in some ways I will admit it is but the bigger issue is I have more time on my hands now to train, to eat they way i know I need to in order to get back to that level, and if I can regain say 80% of my previous, naturally achieved accomlishments in a few months vs say 2 years and HOLD ONTO them because I have been there before as a natural, I think it is something worth considering.
Ill include stats although I'm not asking about specific cycling advice:
-trained very seriously from day 1, naturally, for just shy of 3 years
-pre-layoff stats:
255ish BW, 20-25%bf (I hold fat kinda weird, you could actually see decent abs but I was absolutely 20%+ bf)
585x5, 455, 655 best lifts. Knew how to but my ass in and outta the gym to achieve my goals.
-complete layoff for about 3.5 years, which from what Im told makes the effects of muscle memory much less of a factor.
-current stats:
27 years old
12-15%bf
been lifting for the last 8 weeks or so and for the most part id say people were right about muscle memory not being a big influence after taking several years off, deadlift is up to 585 but my bench is at 315 and squat id estimate is 455 tops.

sorry for the novel, I just wanna make sure I'm doing this right, if I do choose to do it at all. and whether or not I keep the regains I make using AAS that I previously gained naturally is going to play a very big role in this decision.
thanks for reading