Are the Steroids Addictive?

The people who use anabolic steroids are in denial that they are addictive, they are using them only to better their performance in their field of endeavor however a study conducted in California proved that hamsters became addictive to the steroids over a period of time. With other drug users the main objective is to get high but with the steroid users the main objective started out as a desire to increase their athletic ability and increase their muscle and enhance their appearance.

The reason behind taking anabolic steroids is so complex that it makes it extremely hard to determine addictive elements of the steroids in people. A goal was set to create a model of addiction where the athletic ability was of no consequence and other elements were equally of no importance for the purpose of experimentation.

The Study

A research study was constructed that was built around well established means that are now being used in the study of the more highly addictive drugs, such as heroin and cocaine.

The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology gave the study a news release in their yearly conference. A group of hamsters were given implants so they could be self administering with the most commonly used steroids right into their brains by themselves. The hamsters were placed for a period of four hours a day in a chamber with access to two delivery systems. As the hamster operated the mechanism, it would receive a small amount of one of the more commonly used steroids. The mechanism that was not active got no response.

By computer the hamsters were monitored as to how they used the mechanisms and a preference was shown for the steroid testosterone. On their own the animals did not inject themselves with the weaker less popular steroids. The animals were isolated so that the hamster would not be in any way affected by social behavior or any other factors.

The Potential for Addiction was Proved

It was in this study that it was clearly proved that the hamsters liked the steroids quite well. Their preference for certain steroids indicated the addiction. The potential to be addictive became well apparent in the study that was conducted. Their preference indicated the addiction for the most popular steroids. Now it is time for people that have chosen athletics as their field to be made aware of the dangers not only of the addiction but also to the health of the individual that is taking steroids of any kind.