Research
Hormonal
AAS dependence shares significant neurobiological mechanisms with opioid dependence, including opioid-like withdrawal symptoms and cross-sensitization.
The brain mechanisms underlying AAS dependence overlap with those of opioid addiction. This may explain why AAS users have high rates of opioid abuse and why AAS withdrawal can resemble opioid withdrawal. Treatment strategies for opioid dependence may have relevance for AAS dependence.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
AAS dependence may particularly involve opioidergic mechanisms... hamsters will self-administer AAS... and both humans and animals exhibit a well-documented AAS withdrawal syndrome, mediated by neuroendocrine and cortical neurotransmitter systems.
Why this rating
Supported by animal studies showing naltrexone antagonism and human studies showing high comorbidity with opioid dependence.
Source
Anabolic–androgenic steroid dependence: an emerging disorder
Gen Kanayama et al. · Addiction · 2009
DOI 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02734.x
narrative_reviewCited 292×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Approximately 30% of illicit anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users develop a distinct dependence syndrome characterized by chronic use despite adverse physical and psychosocial effects.Good
- AAS dependence is associated with higher rates of conduct disorder, antisocial traits, and other substance dependencies, particularly opioid dependence.Good
Related findings · Hormonal
- Initial treatment for type 2 diabetes should be a combination of metformin and either an SGLT-2 inhibitor or a GLP-1 receptor agonist to achieve cardiorenal protection, rather than monotherapy or older agents like sulfonylureas.Strong
- For patients with specific monogenic obesity syndromes (leptin deficiency, POMC/PCSK1/LEPR mutations), targeted pharmacotherapy (recombinant leptin or setmelanotide) is highly effective and should be prioritized, unlike in polygenic obesity.Strong
- Continued weekly administration of 2.4 mg subcutaneous semaglutide prevents weight regain and promotes further weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, whereas switching to placebo results in significant weight regain.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →