Mixing Steroids and Alcohol Dangers. Can You Drink Alcohol on Steroids? Alcohol with Steroids Interactions.

Steroids and Alcohol

While anabolic-androgenic steroids are not widely used, studies have linked them to various substances for younger males. These range from alcohol and cocaine for recreational purposes, painkillers and GHB as stimulants or depressants, and legal performance enhancers like amphetamines. As such, understanding the broader implications of AAS use beyond simply their prescribed purpose can be vital for anyone using alcohol with steroids. Keep reading to learn if you can you drink alcohol with steroids safely.

Steroids and Alcohol Consumption Statistics

Anabolic steroids and alcohol abuse are both issues that can have serious negative health effects. Here are some statistics related to the use of steroids and alcohol abuse:

1. Steroid use is most common among men who are between 18 and 35 years old. According to a survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), about 2.9% of young adults in the United States reported using steroids at some point in their lives.
2. Studies have shown that individuals who abuse anabolic steroids are also likely to abuse other substances, including alcohol. According to a study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, up to 86% of people who used steroids also reported using alcohol.
3. Alcohol use can have negative effects on athletic performance, endurance, and muscle recovery, which can be particularly problematic for those who are also using steroids to improve their athletic abilities.
4. Alcohol abuse can also cause liver damage, which can be especially concerning for steroid users who are already at increased risk for liver damage.
5. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, over 14 million adults in the United States have an alcohol use disorder.

According to the Substance Abuse Statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 1.6 million people in the United States have used anabolic steroids non-medically. Approximately 25% of people who use anabolic steroids also reported using alcohol. There is a strong correlation between alcohol consumption and steroid use.

Moreover, per data collected by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), alcohol is commonly used and abused with over-the-counter, prescription, and illicit drugs. If you or someone you know has developed a substance use disorder, working on a plan for sobriety as soon as possible becomes crucial. An inpatient treatment program offers an opportunity to safely detox from steroids and alcohol as a first step before individual and group therapy begin.

Make sure to seek help if you are struggling with substance abuse, as both steroid and alcohol abuse can have serious negative consequences for your health and well-being.

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Anabolic Steroids. What are Steroids?

Anabolic steroids are man-made versions of testosterone, a male sex hormone that helps build bigger muscles. A doctor can legally prescribe them if your body doesn’t make enough testosterone. An example would be boys with delayed puberty. Doctors also prescribe them to men with low testosterone and people who lose muscle mass because of cancer, AIDS, and other health conditions. Topical creams, patches, and injections are the most common. There is also a version that can be inhaled through your nose. 

Their performance- and muscle-boosting powers have led to widespread misuse and abuse. Abusers tend to use extremely high doses. Some take 100 times the dose legally prescribed for health problems.

These steroids can cause bad acne and fluid retention. Long-term use can stop the body from making testosterone. In men, this causes smaller testicles, lower sperm counts, infertility, and breast growth. Women may have male-pattern baldness, facial hair growth, periods that change or stop, and a deeper voice. Teens who use them might stunt their bone growth and height. High doses can lead to extreme mood swings, anger, and aggression called “roid rage.”

Long-term anabolic steroid abuse, especially in high doses, can damage your liver, kidneys, and heart. Severe fluid retention can cause heart swelling and heart failure. These drugs can also raise your LDL “bad” cholesterol, making you more likely to have heart attacks and strokes at any age.

Can You Drink Alcohol On Steroids?

The main concern about mixing steroids and alcohol is that alcohol can worsen the side effects of steroids. For example, alcohol consumption with steroids may help weaken the bones and can promote weight gain. If you want to drink alcohol while taking steroids, it’s best to speak to your healthcare provider for medical advice.

There is no clear answer to whether it is safe to drink alcohol while taking steroids. It depends on several factors, including:

• How large the dose of steroids is
• Whether the treatment course is short or long-term
• How much alcohol the patient usually drinks
• Other medical conditions a person has

Steroids and Alcohol Interaction

There are several possible side effects of mixing steroids with alcohol. These include:

Steroids and Alcohol Mix Dangerous Effects

Understandably, people taking AAS drugs may not wish to abstain from alcohol while using them. Drinking is often a part of socializing, and pairing the right drink with a meal can greatly enhance it. However, once users understand the risks, they may wish to cut back on their imbibing or stop it completely.

Mixing steroids and Alcohol Can Cause a Wide Variety of Problems, Including:

• Liver toxicity and damage
• Immunosuppression
• Kidney damage
• Erratic and violent behavior
• Loss of gains at the gym

Due to the steroid mechanism of action, the development of these side effects can be unpredictable. Users must understand them fully before they take on the risk of drinking while on anabolics. In case abuse of any of both substances becomes an addiction, seeking proper substance abuse treatment is critical.

Oral Steroids and Alcohol Liver Toxicity

Both alcohol and anabolic steroids are hepatotoxic. Taking alcohol and steroids can be fatal.  This means they can damage the liver cells when the organ processes the substances. Using them simultaneously means putting extra strain on the liver, increasing the risk of damage.

Some steroids are more hepatotoxic than others, so users should research their steroid medication of choice before drinking. No matter what steroid a person is on, having more than a few drinks a week with steroids and alcohol will greatly increase the risk of damage. Thus, while one can drink on anabolics, this means occasionally, not habitually. Straining the liver by drinking anabolics is best avoided completely if possible.

Immunosuppression

Both steroids and alcohol can reduce the function of the immune system. Steroids always inhibit the immune system, including AAS drugs. Alcohol, on the other hand, has been shown to boost the immune system depending on the type consumed potentially. However, this is only when drinking in moderation. Excessive drinking of any substance harms the immune system.

Combining two immunosuppressive substances has the potential to harm the user greatly. Given that athletes need always to be their best, using both alcohol and steroids is counterintuitive. They risk getting sick often and performing less than their best.

Undermining Workout Results

Finally, there is the fact that mixing steroids and alcohol can undermine the results the user is working so hard to achieve. Everyone has heard the term beer belly, which is a reality. However, it can be caused by any form of alcohol, and the effects can be seen everywhere, not just in the abdomen.

Alcohol hurts the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. This is a hormonal and endocrine system that regulates the male reproductive system. Alcohol interacts with the system by lowering testosterone and allowing estrogen to become relatively higher. This can make the body more prone to retaining fat and reducing muscle mass. As a result, mixing alcohol and steroids can, in effect, render the AAS drugs useless.

Steroids and Alcohol Side Effects

Some serious but rare side effects could happen if you mix alcohol and a corticosteroid like prednisone. Corticosteroids can lower your bone mineral density — a marker of bone health. Research has shown that chronic heavy alcohol use also causes your bone mineral density to go down. This can raise your risk for osteoporosis (weakened and brittle bones). 

Additionally, alcohol can irritate your stomach lining and potentially result in bleeding. And corticosteroids, especially when taken with NSAIDs, can also put you at a higher risk of stomach bleeding — which is serious. If you notice bloody or black, tarry stools, or blood in your vomit, get medical attention immediately.

Individuals with a history of SUDs are at a higher risk of abusing Anabolic Steroids. This is also true of individuals with co-occurring disorders, especially body dysmorphia, as they may find themselves continuously using Steroids to chase an idealized body image even after they have long since surpassed their original goal.

Treatment for Alcohol and Steroid Abuse

How to Stop Taking Steroids

Stopping them abruptly is a bad idea. It can trigger mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, achy muscles, and depression. Halting anabolics may knock down your sex drive. If you take steroids to treat an illness, those symptoms may come back, too. It’s safer to reduce or taper, your dose slowly. Your doctor can tell you how. Any symptoms you get as a result will be less severe.

Treatment Options for Alcohol Abuse & Addiction

Find some of the best treatment options for steroid and alcohol use disorder (AUD):

Inpatient Programs 

Inpatient treatment for alcohol addiction treatment is a great option. These intensive programs are usually 30, 60, or 90 days. However, they can be longer in some instances.

Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT)

Certain people qualify for medication-assisted therapy. Medications can help you detox from alcohol, reduce cravings, and normalize bodily functions. MAT is most effective when combined with other treatment therapies.

Support Groups

Support groups for addiction treatment are peer-led groups that help people stay sober. They can be a first step in overcoming alcoholism or a component of an aftercare plan. Many of them follow the 12-step approach. However, secular options also don’t follow the 12-step approach.

Reclaim Your Life From Alcohol and Steroid Abuse

Mixing alcohol and steroids is a condition that can cause severe health, social and economic problems that should not be taken lightly. We Level Up rehab treatment & detox center can provide you, or someone you love, the tools to recover from addiction with professional and safe detox. Feel free to call us to speak with one of our counselors. We can inform you about this condition by giving you relevant information. Our specialists know what you are going through. Please know that each call is private and confidential.

Top 3 Taking Steroids and Alcohol FAQs

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