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At Central Outreach Wellness Center, we believe in meeting people where they are. Many people use anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) to enhance muscle growth, athletic performance, or body image. While these substances are not without risks, practicing harm reduction can lower health complications and keep you safer while using. In this post, our clinician, Damian Roman, shares practical strategies and insights on how to reduce risks and protect your health if you choose to use steroids.

What Are Anabolic Steroids?

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic versions of testosterone, the male sex hormone. While they can be prescribed for certain medical conditions, many people use them without a prescription to build muscle or improve physical appearance.

Commonly used steroids include:

  • Testosterone esters (e.g., testosterone enanthate, cypionate)
  • Nandrolone
  • Dianabol
  • Trenbolone

Steroids can be injected, or taken orally, but each method comes with different risks.

Risks of Steroid Use

Long-term or high-dose steroid use can lead to health concerns, including:

  • Cardiovascular risks: high blood pressure, increased cholesterol, heart attack, or stroke
  • Liver damage (especially with oral steroids)
  • Kidney strain
  • Hormonal imbalances: testicular shrinkage, infertility, changes in menstrual cycles
  • Mental health effects: mood swings, aggression (“roid rage”), depression, anxiety
  • Skin issues: acne, hair loss, infections at injection sites
  • Increased infection risk if needles are shared

Harm Reduction Tips for Steroid Users

If you are currently using or considering steroid use, here are practical harm reduction strategies:

1. Safer Injection Practices

  • Never share needles or vials. Sharing can spread HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
  • Use new, sterile syringes every time. (We provide them at Central Outreach—ask us about our harm reduction services.)
  • Clean your skin with alcohol swabs before injecting.
  • Rotate injection sites to avoid scar tissue, abscesses, and infections.

2. Safer Dosing & Stacking

  • Avoid “megadoses.” More does not always mean better results—just higher risks.
  • Don’t mix multiple oral and injectable steroids (“stacking”) without understanding interactions.
  • Cycle off steroids to allow your body time to recover, though even cycling carries risks.

3. Protect Your Heart & Liver

  • Get regular blood work to monitor cholesterol, liver enzymes, and kidney function.
  • Limit alcohol and other liver-toxic drugs (like acetaminophen).
  • Eat a balanced diet with heart-healthy fats, lean proteins, and plenty of fiber.

4. Hormonal Health

  • Be aware that long-term steroid use can suppress natural testosterone.
  • Some people use post-cycle therapy (PCT) to restart hormone production. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting.

5. Mental Health Check-In

  • Steroids can impact your mood. Stay aware of changes in anger, irritability, or depression.
  • Seek support if you notice mental health shifts; we have resources for therapy and support groups.

6. Test, Don’t Guess

  • Many black-market steroids are contaminated, mislabeled, or dosed incorrectly.
  • Whenever possible, use lab testing services to check for authenticity and purity.

How Central Outreach Can Help

At Central Outreach Wellness Center, we provide confidential, stigma-free care. Whether you’re currently using steroids or just thinking about it, our team can:

  • Provide HIV, Hep C, and STI testing
  • Offer sterile injection supplies and harm reduction education
  • Monitor your liver, kidney, and hormone levels with regular labs
  • Connect you with primary care, PrEP, and mental health support

We’re not here to shame you, we’re here to keep you safe, informed, and healthy. Steroid use comes with risks. Practicing harm reduction like using sterile equipment, monitoring your health, and staying informed can make a huge difference.

Sources

  • Pope HG, Kanayama G, Hudson JI. Risk factors for illicit anabolic-androgenic steroid use in male weightlifters: A cross-sectional cohort study. Biol Psychiatry. 2012;71(3):254–261.
  • Sagoe D, Molde H, Andreassen CS, Torsheim T, Pallesen S. The global epidemiology of anabolic-androgenic steroid use: A meta-analysis. Addiction. 2014;109(11):1851–1858.
  • NIDA. Anabolic Steroids DrugFacts. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Updated 2021. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/anabolic-steroids
  • IPED Harm Reduction Project. Public Health England, 2015.