Understanding continous and problematic patterns of AAS use amongst UK males
Anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) users are known to employ a range of practices, and risk behaviours to improve outcomes and combat side effects resulting from their substance use.
There is a paucity in literature regarding the strategies, and practices employed by UK males following discontinuation from AAS use, when they are at risk of experiencing a range of side effects associated with impairment of their natural testosterone production.
Decreases in natural testosterone production (hypogonadism) associated with AAS use, referred to as ‘anabolic steroid induced hypogonadism’ (ASIH) (Scally, 2008, Rahnema et al., 2014), can lead to a range of physical and mental health problems in users (Tan and Scally, 2008). Experience of these problems has been hypothesised as motivating users to recommence AAS use (Kashkin and Kleber 1989; Brower 2009: Kanayama et al, 2015), posing a looming public health concern (Kanayama et al, 2008).
UK AAS users’ subjective experiences of navigating ASIH related symptoms are not well established within the literary field. This qualitative case study research uses participant observations within a bodybuilding gymnasium, along with semi structured interviews with current and former AAS users, to provide insight into continuous and problematic patterns of AAS use amongst UK males.
The learning from this research project will be used to shape recommendations for future public health, harm reduction strategies, for users of AAS.
