What is it?
Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances related to testosterone. They are prescription-only medicines in the UK and are also obtained illicitly, where content and sterility are unknown.
Common forms
- Tablets
- Injectable oils
- Gels
How it affects the body
They influence hormone systems, muscle growth, mood and cardiovascular function.
Short-term effects
- Changes in mood and irritability
- Raised blood pressure
- Acne and fluid retention
Long-term effects
- Hormonal disruption and fertility effects
- Cardiovascular disease
- Liver problems with some products
- Mental-health effects
- Injecting-related infections
Dependence and addiction
Dependence can develop when the body and brain adapt to regular use. It is not a moral failing or a lack of willpower. Signs people describe include needing more to get the same effect, difficulty cutting down, spending more time thinking about use, and continuing despite harm. Support is available at any stage — you do not need to have reached a crisis point.
Withdrawal
Stopping or reducing after regular use can cause withdrawal. Withdrawal varies between people and depends on how much and how long someone has used, their physical health and other substances involved. Some withdrawal can be medically serious, so it is safer to plan a reduction with a clinician or a drug and alcohol service rather than stopping abruptly alone. Low mood after stopping is commonly described; support is available.
Overdose risks
Acute emergencies are less typical than with other drugs, but chest pain, severe headache, breathing difficulty or signs of infection at an injection site need urgent assessment.
Mixing substances
Combining with other hormonal products or stimulants increases cardiovascular strain.
Harm-reduction information
- Never share injecting equipment
- Needle and syringe services can supply sterile equipment without judgement
- Ask about blood-borne virus testing
- Have blood pressure and bloods checked; be honest with clinicians so care is safe
When to seek urgent medical help
Call 999 if someone is unconscious or cannot be woken, is having difficulty breathing, has a seizure, has chest pain, becomes very confused or agitated, or you are worried they may have overdosed. For urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call NHS 111. You will not get someone into trouble by calling for medical help.
Treatment and recovery options
- Talking therapies and structured psychosocial support
- Community drug and alcohol services, including self-referral where available
- Medication-assisted treatment where clinically appropriate
- Medically supported withdrawal, arranged and monitored by clinicians
- Peer support and recovery communities
- Residential rehabilitation for some people, usually via assessment
- Support for related needs — mental health, housing, family and welfare
UK support resources
- NHS — health information and service finders (nhs.uk)
- Talk to FRANK — UK drug information service (talktofrank.com)
- Your local community drug and alcohol service — many accept self-referrals
- Local pharmacy teams, who can offer advice and signposting
Sources / references
This page is a plain-language summary written for education. For clinical or legal detail, use authoritative UK sources: NHS (nhs.uk), Talk to FRANK (talktofrank.com), NICE (nice.org.uk), UK Government and devolved government publications, and guidance from UK professional bodies. Each page on this site carries a review date, and we welcome corrections.