Mixing Alcohol With Steroids: What Are The Dangers?
Athletes, weightlifters, and people who want to increase their muscle mass, strength, or athletic performance often use anabolic steroids. Although anabolic steroids are legally prescribed for specific medical issues, using them for non-medical purposes is illegal and unsafe. Drinking alcohol while using steroids increases the chances of dangerous side effects.
Alcohol use and steroid abuse can have many adverse side effects, including liver damage, high blood pressure, and aggressive behavior.
For assistance and referral to a treatment center, call Zinnia Health at (855) 430-9439.
Steroids: What are They?
Anabolic steroids are manufactured chemicals that mimic the effects of the male sex hormone testosterone. Testosterone is responsible for developing male characteristics, such as deepening the voice and increasing muscle mass. Anabolic steroids can be taken orally or injected into the muscles.
Many who take them suffer from muscle dysmorphia, a mental disorder that causes them to believe that they are too small or weak, even if they are large and muscular. People with this disorder often turn to steroids as a way to try to build more muscle.
The Risks of Taking Alcohol and Steroids Together
Alcohol and steroids are both drugs that can have harmful, life-threatening effects on the human body. When taken together, they can cause even more damage.
For example, concurrent use of anabolic steroids and alcohol can lead to liver damage and liver failure due to these conditions:
- Cancer
- Cirrhosis
- Fatty liver
- Hepatitis
It can also cause heart problems, such as:
- Cardiac myopathy
- High blood pressure
- An irregular heartbeat, increasing the risk of a heart attack
Other health problems may develop, including:
- Stroke
- Mouth and throat cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Tendon rupture
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Impotence and male infertility
- Aggressive behavior called “roid rage” and other psychiatric problems
- A weakening of the immune system
In short, the concurrent use of alcohol and steroids can have many harmful effects on the mind and body. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of these risks before taking these drugs.
Alcohol use with steroids is very dangerous and can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, heart problems, and infertility in men. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please reach out for help.
Continuing to mix alcohol and steroids can lead to serious health problems such as kidney damage, high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, cancer, and death. If you’re using steroids, it’s essential to be aware of the potential dangers and seek help if you feel you’re struggling to control your use.
Zinnia Health offers individualized substance use treatment programs to meet each person’s unique needs. Our compassionate staff is here to support you on your journey to recovery. Call us today at (855) 430-9439.
Why Do People Mix Alcohol and Steroids?
People may mix alcohol and steroids because they think it will make them feel more macho or invincible. Others simply enjoy the feeling of being drunk while on steroids.
They may also believe that drinking alcohol will help relieve some side effects caused by taking steroids, such as fatigue or restlessness. However, there is no evidence that mixing alcohol and steroids has any benefits, only risks.
What Happens if You Drink Alcohol While on Steroids?
Drinking alcohol while on steroids is risky. While steroids can help improve athletic performance and build muscle mass, they can also cause serious side effects. Drinking alcohol can amplify these side effects, potentially leading to serious health problems.
In addition, drinking alcohol can make it difficult for the body to process the steroids, leading to a build-up of the drug in the system. Awareness of the risks is crucial before deciding to drink alcohol while on steroids.
How Do Alcohol and Steroids Affect the Body?
People who use anabolic steroids typically use a technique called cycling to help minimize the risk of side effects. Cycling involves taking multiple doses of steroids over a period, usually 6-12 weeks, followed by a period of stopping for several weeks or months. Some people who use anabolic steroids for non-medical reasons also take human growth hormone (HGH).
Other steroids include corticosteroids, which are used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including inflammation and sclerosis. Prednisone is a commonly prescribed corticosteroid used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Steroids are potent drugs that can have significant side effects, both short-term and long-term. Short-termside effects of steroid abuse can include acne, aggression, and mood swings. Long-term side effects can include liver damage, high blood pressure, and heart problems. In addition, abusing steroids can lead to addiction and other mental health issues.
Excessive alcohol consumption and steroid abuse can significantly impact the human body. When taken together, the two substances can magnify each other’s effects.
Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows down the body’s nervous system, leading to slurred speech, impaired coordination, and decreased reflexes.
Steroids are hormones that can increase muscle mass and strength. They can also cause anxiety, aggression, and mood swings.
When taken together, alcohol and steroids can have a potent effect on the body.
How Do Steroids Affect the Brain?
Anabolic steroids have a range of potential side effects on the brain. For example, users may experience mood swings, irritability, and aggressive behavior.
Anabolic steroids can also cause changes in how the brain functions. Long-term steroid use may lead to memory problems and cognitive difficulties.
Additionally, anabolic steroids can interfere with the brain’s normal production of hormones. This can lead to hormonal imbalances that can have many physical and emotional consequences.
In some cases, steroid use can even lead to mental health problems such as depression and psychosis.
Treatment for Steroid Abuse
Like alcohol use disorder, long-term use of steroids can lead to dependence. This is because steroids alter the body’s natural hormone levels. When taken regularly, they can cause the body to rely on them to function properly. This can lead to withdrawal symptoms when someone stops taking steroids, such as fatigue, depression, and loss of muscle mass.
People may sometimes continue taking steroids despite these adverse effects to avoid these withdrawal symptoms. It’s essential to be aware that steroid use can lead to addiction and should be approached with caution.
Steroid abuse is a serious problem that can lead to a wide variety of health problems. In most cases, steroid abuse is treated with a combination of individual and group therapy and medication.
The first step in treatment is to detox, which may include tapering. The second step is to identify the underlying reasons for the abuse.
Once the underlying causes have been addressed, addiction treatment focuses on helping the individual develop healthy coping mechanisms. This may involve exploring different forms of exercise, learning stress management techniques, and creating a support system.
In some cases, medical professionals may also prescribe medication to help manage symptoms. With proper treatment, many people can successfully recover from steroid abuse.
Zinnia Health Can Help
Zinnia Health offers addiction treatment options that include individual and group therapy and medication. If you or a loved one is struggling with steroid abuse or alcohol abuse, we can help. We work with most healthcare providers.
Contact us today at (855) 430-9439 to learn more about our programs and how we can help you recover.