Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic drugs derived from testosterone.
Illegally, these drugs are regularly self-administered by body builders and power
lifters to enhance their sportive performance. Adverse side effects of AAS include
sexual dysfunction, alterations of the cardiovascular system, psyche and behavior,
and liver toxicity. However, severe side effects appear only following prolonged use
of AAS at high dose and their occurrence is limited. Occasionally, AAS abuse may be
linked to certain social and psychological traits of the user, like low self-esteem,
low self-confidence, suffered hostility, childhood conduct disorder, and tendency
to high-risk behavior. The overwhelming stereotype about AAS is that these compounds
cause aggressive behavior in males. However, the underlying personality traits of
a specific subgroup of the AAS abusers, who show aggression and hostility, may be
relevant, as well. Use of AAS in combination with alcohol largely increases the risk
of violence and aggression. The dependence liability of AAS is very low, and withdrawal
effects are relatively mild. Based on the scores for acute and chronic adverse health
effects, the prevalence of use, social harm and criminality, AAS were ranked among
19 illicit drugs as a group of drugs with a relatively low harm.
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