steroids and cocaine
What are anabolic steroids? Anabolic steroids are synthetic (man-made) versions of testosterone. Testosterone is the primary sex hormone in men. It is needed to develop and maintain male sex characteristics, such as facial hair, deep voice, and muscle growth. Women do have some testosterone in their bodies but much smaller amounts.
Cocaine and Anabolic Steroids Both anabolic steroids and cocaine are drugs of abuse. Most anabolic steroids are classified by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as Schedule III controlled substances, whereas cocaine is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. This classification indicates that steroids are considered to have more appropriate medicinal uses and are less prone to abuse than cocaine; however, both drugs have a significant potential for abuse and the development of physical or psychological dependence.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), it is estimated that in 2015 approximately 1.9 million people over the age of 12 were users of cocaine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in 2015 approximately 3.5 percent of individuals in high school reported using anabolic steroids without a prescription for them, representing an estimate of about 500,000 individuals. The United States Justice Department estimates that a little over 1 million adults over 18 use anabolic steroids without a prescription. Individuals who misuse or abuse anabolic steroids are likely to be male.
People abuse cocaine to experience the stimulant and psychoactive effects of the drug. In contrast, abuse of anabolic steroids is typically associated with individuals who engage in some form of an athletic endeavor, such as bodybuilding or other sports, who are trying to improve their performance and increase their muscle mass while reducing their body fat content.
Mixing Cocaine and Anabolic Steroids There appears to be little reliable data on the rates of co-occurring cocaine and anabolic steroid use and abuse. However, given that both drugs are abused by similar demographic groups, it can be assumed that the situation does occur to some extent. Information taken from a research article published in the British Journal of Pharmacology as well as the three-volume book set The Neuropathology of Drug Addictions, and Substance Misuse indicates that interactions as a result of this combination can include:
An enhancement of the effects of either drug An enhancement of the side effects of either drug The increased potential to overdose on either drug, but mainly on cocaine, is most likely related to the psychological and cognitive issues that can occur when these drugs are combined. The potential to develop idiosyncratic reactions as a result of mixing these two drugs Severe effects on several different organ systems Serious neurological or psychological complications as a result of mixing these drugs steroids and cocaine There appears to be little reliable data on the rates of co-occurring cocaine and anabolic steroid use and abuse. Individuals who use anabolic steroids to improve their athletic performance and gain muscle mass are decreasing their potential to achieve these desired effects when they use anabolic steroids in conjunction with cocaine. Most often, individuals mix different drugs to enhance their euphoric and other psychoactive effects. However, it does not appear to be a reasonable assumption that anabolic steroid use would increase the euphoria associated with cocaine use.
Since many of the psychoactive effects associated with steroid abuse are generally not considered to be desirable (e.g., aggressiveness, hostility, etc.) or the main reason individuals abuse these drugs, the repeated practice of mixing cocaine and anabolic steroids would be puzzling because the main reason that individuals mix drugs of abuse is to enhance the euphoric effects of one or both drugs. One would suspect that any person that frequently mixes these two substances has some other severe mental health disorder, such as a personality disorder, developmental disorder, psychotic disorder, neurocognitive disorder, or bipolar disorder.
In particular, the potentially harmful effects associated with mixing these drugs could include:
A rapid and potentially dangerous rise in blood pressure Significant cardiovascular damage, with an increased risk of both acute heart damage and long-term issues leading to heart damage A significant increase in the risk of having a heart attack or stroke An increased potential to become overheated or dehydrated Damage to the liver Significant damage to the kidneys Increased risk of developing blood-borne diseases as a result of needle sharing (e.g., hepatitis, HIV) Sexual dysfunction in men and menstrual issues in women The development of masculine-like features in women, such as a low speaking voice, increased hair growth on the face, etc. An increased risk of developing cancer in numerous organ systems Increased potential for psychological reactions, particularly issues with hostility, hallucinations, manic-like behaviors, delusional behaviors (most likely, delusions of being invulnerable, which can lead to poor decision-making), and other issues that can lead to accidents or impulsive behaviors Issues with depression, mood swings, anxiety, fatigue, lethargy, increased appetite, irritability, etc., when the individual stops using cocaine and the steroid. Issues with apathy and depression in many individuals who combine these drugs frequently Significant neurological issues can include the development of seizures (the risk for this is increased if an individual abuses other drugs in conjunction with cocaine, such as alcohol) and brain damage to areas of the brain that have to do with movement, decision-making, and judgment, attention, and memory. Because a large number of people who use anabolic steroids are adolescents and still growing, it can result in issues with growth and development. Using the drug in combination with cocaine can exacerbate this issue.
While the expected symptoms associated with discontinuing either of these drugs are generally not considered to be potentially severe or fatal, when an individual uses these drugs in conjunction and later stops using one or both of them, it is difficult to predict how any withdrawal symptoms will present.
Indeed, individuals who have pre-existing psychological problems or emotional issues may become very distraught and more vulnerable to accidents or poor judgment that could lead to potential suicidal behaviors. In addition, when individuals begin to experience withdrawal symptoms, they often become desperate to use their drugs of choice again to reduce their distress. This can lead to several issues with judgment, poor decision-making, and impulsive behaviors.