Steroids help doctors treat many health problems. Use of corticosteroids for improved breathing during asthma attacks provides a positive example of this. But some steroids damage your health with repeated use, instead of helping you. For steroid abuse, you need the help of steroid addiction rehab.
Recognizing Steroid Abuse
Anabolic steroids mimic your body’s own testosterone and encourage the development of increased muscle mass. Bodybuilders and athletes often turn to these anabolic steroids to help them “bulk up” and gain a competitive edge.
Although anabolic steroids do treat health problems, these steroids in particular often fall into the hands of people who abuse them. The typical profile of someone abusing anabolic steroids is a 20-something-year-old male seeking greater muscle mass. These men use the steroids as a supplement to protein shakes and other supplements they take on a daily basis.
When someone uses anabolic steroids, they usually gain lean muscle rapidly. The most significant changes take place over about ten weeks. During this time, they work out more. You also likely notice many packages in the mail.
When the steroids come in pill form, you possibly hear the rattling of the pill bottle. Other people choose to inject their steroids, receiving vials in packages marked as fragile. You may find syringes and needles in your loved one’s living space or their car.
Someone who injects their steroids develops red and inflamed holes in their skin, called track marks. Taking pills leaves an abundance of pill packets in the trash or around their personal belongings.
One of the most common signs of anabolic steroid abuse is acne. Someone with clear skin suddenly starts experiencing breakouts. A strange odor around your loved one indicates the use of steroid cream.
Why Steroid Addiction Rehab Is Important
Many people think building muscle can’t be harmful. After all, lean muscle indicates good health, right? That impression is wrong.
One effect of steroid abuse is the conversion of the steroid into estradiol in the body. This makes the man’s testicles shrink while breast tissue grows. It also causes infertility.
Women who abuse steroids for bodybuilding or other purposes notice increased body hair, a permanently deepening voice, and menstrual problems.
Both genders experience high levels of cholesterol in their blood, as well as high blood pressure. Your chances of developing diabetes increase with steroid abuse, as does balding. Users experience a condition called “roid rage,” one of mania or rapidly changing moods.
All of these effects of steroid abuse cause enough health problems. But to these, you add major health events like stroke and heart attack. Over time, steroid effects build up and worsen.
Steroid Addiction Rehab at Steps to Recovery
Seeing these signs of steroid abuse means you or your loved one need steroid addiction rehab. This rehab includes therapies and support groups required to realize their problem and learn how to overcome it fully.
As they first end their steroid use, feelings of depression, anxiety and sleep problems begin. They also experience concentration problems, headaches, pain and decreased libido. These conditions usually indicate withdrawal from the drug. But some people experience co-occurring conditions requiring ongoing help, such as depression, anxiety, anger problems and other mood disorders.
Steroid addiction rehab in Levittown, PA helps your loved one understand why they turned to drug abuse in the first place.
For many, these issues start with body image problems, such as body dysmorphia. Others seek an unattainable, false perfection as a sign of fitness and virility. To help end these self-esteem and body image problems, your loved one likely needs psychotherapy.
Your loved one needs specific help from steroid addiction rehab, including:
- Intensive outpatient rehab
- Outpatient programs
- Partial hospitalization
- Family program involvement
- 12 steps and alcohol drug education
- Dual diagnosis rehab
- Psychotherapy, individual and group therapies
Your loved one needs support and education for a real chance of a better, healthier life. That new life starts at Steps to Recovery in Levittown, PA. So call Steps to Recovery now at 267.719.8528.