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Anabolic-androgenic steroid misuse and outpatient care for women from Golden

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For a respectful conversation about your options, call Women’s Recovery at 833.754.0554 or visit 3801 E Florida Ave, Ste 650, Denver, CO 80210.

For residents of Golden, CO. Women’s Recovery lists its physical location in Denver, CO.

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What are anabolic steroids and other APEDs?

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic testosterone-like substances that promote skeletal-muscle growth and male sexual characteristics in women and men. Other appearance and performance enhancing drugs include substances such as insulin, IGF, and HGH. Anabolic-androgenic steroid misuse and Outpatient Addiction Treatment Guidance separates legitimate medical prescriptions from misuse. Review outpatient steroid misuse guidance and support context for Golden, CO women.

Supporting guidance: Anabolic Steroids and Other Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drugs (APEDs)

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What are anabolic steroids and other APEDs?

Anabolic-androgenic steroid misuse and outpatient treatment guidance for women in Denver concerns non-prescribed use of synthetic substances related to testosterone. Anabolic steroids are one category of appearance and performance enhancing drugs, or APEDs. Learn about broader steroid misuse concerns and other performance and body-image products as you consider care.

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Anabolic-androgenic steroids promote skeletal muscle growth and male sexual characteristics in females and males.

Some testosterone-related medicines also have legitimate medical uses, including treatment of certain hormone deficiencies, delayed puberty or muscle loss from disease. Prescribed medical treatment is not the same as misuse. In this context, misuse means non-prescribed use of testosterone or testosterone-like substances for appearance or performance purposes, rather than every instance in which a person receives a steroid-related medicine.

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Other APEDs include non-steroidal anabolic substances such as insulin, insulin-like growth hormone and human growth hormone.

These substances are produced by the body and may be prescribed for valid medical reasons, yet they are also sometimes misused for performance enhancement. The category therefore covers different products and motivations. If you use a prescribed medicine, decisions about changing it should remain with your treating prescriber, who can consider its purpose and your health.

Why are anabolic steroids misused?

People may misuse anabolic steroids to increase lean muscle with weight training, improve appearance, gain strength or pursue perceived performance and recovery benefits. These motivations can affect anyone and do not define your character. Explore anabolic steroid misuse guidance and information about nonmedical testosterone use with curiosity rather than shame.

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Why are anabolic steroids misused?

Some non-athlete weightlifters report using anabolic steroids because they feel unable to become larger through training alone or believe a more muscular appearance will increase confidence. Body-image distress can be part of that experience, but it should not be presumed for every woman who uses these substances. Care is more useful when it explores your own reasons, pressures and goals instead of reducing your experience to a stereotype about athletes or appearance.

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Strength gains can be appealing in sports that depend heavily on strength.

Users also report believing that anabolic steroids help muscles recover faster after strain or injury, although animal research has not consistently supported a recovery benefit. People who misuse steroids may also use protein or creatine supplements, stimulants, estrogen blockers or other hormones. Understanding this wider pattern can help care address interactions, expectations and health concerns rather than focusing narrowly on one product.

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What side effects can anabolic steroid misuse cause?

Anabolic steroid misuse can affect cardiovascular, hormonal, liver, musculoskeletal, psychiatric and skin health. Possible effects range from acne and unwanted hair changes to blood clots, heart attack, stroke or liver tumors. Review steroid-related health concerns and performance-product guidance while remembering that individual effects vary.

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For women, possible hormonal and physical changes include a deeper voice, reduced breast size, coarse skin, increased body hair and male-pattern baldness.

Some changes may not fully reverse. Skin effects can include severe acne, cysts, oily skin or scalp, and an injection-site abscess. These possibilities can carry emotional as well as physical weight. Medical evaluation can address symptoms directly, while recovery care can support decisions about continued nonmedical use.

02

Cardiovascular effects associated with steroid misuse include high blood pressure, blood clots, impaired heart function, artery damage, heart attack and stroke.

Steroids may raise low-density lipoprotein and lower high-density lipoprotein, changes that increase atherosclerosis risk. Possible psychiatric effects include aggression, mania and delusions, while liver concerns include peliosis hepatis and tumors. These are possible effects, not a prediction or diagnosis for any one person.

What could a woman from Golden, CO expect when considering outpatient treatment in Denver?

Care for women from Golden at our Denver program can involve recurring care at a Denver, CO treatment location followed by a return home. Reviewing location and travel information can help you consider access, while a clinical conversation can help identify the treatment intensity and structure that may best support your needs.

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    Standard outpatient care may include individual or group counseling, office visits, medication support, or coping-skills education

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    An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides more coordinated, recurring care while allowing you to live at home, while partial hospitalization or inpatient care offers a higher level of structure

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    The right setting depends on your individual needs, home stability, and ability to participate consistently

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    A clinical conversation can help you understand which level of care may support you best

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Common questions

Explore care for women from Golden at our Denver program and communities we serve for related guidance. Call admissions when you want to discuss your own situation.

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01 Is prescribed testosterone use the same as anabolic steroid misuse?

No. Testosterone and related substances can be prescribed for legitimate medical conditions. Misuse here refers to non-prescribed use for appearance or performance purposes. If you are taking a prescribed product and have concerns, keep medication changes with your treating prescriber. Medical supervision and nonmedical use involve different contexts and should not be conflated.

02 Are women affected differently by anabolic steroid misuse?

Some documented effects particularly relevant to women include voice deepening, reduced breast size, coarse skin, increased body hair and male-pattern baldness. Effects vary and some may persist. These changes do not confirm every other health consequence, but they are valid reasons to seek medical attention and discuss nonmedical use openly.

03 Can steroid misuse affect mood or thinking?

Possible psychiatric effects include aggression, mania and delusions. Experiencing irritability or distress does not by itself establish that steroids are the cause, and not everyone has the same response. Medical and behavioral care can consider timing, other substances, sleep and broader circumstances while addressing immediate safety and supporting changes you want.

04 What travel connection is listed between Golden, CO and Denver, CO?

RTD states that the W Line extends from Union Station in Denver to Jefferson County Government Center and traverses Denver, CO, Lakewood, CO, and Golden, CO. This documents a transit relationship between Golden, CO and Denver, CO, but does not establish an itinerary, service frequency, accessibility, travel conditions, or connection to the treatment facility.

05 How does Jefferson County describe peer support for substance use, recovery, or mental health concerns?

Jefferson County Public Health invites people experiencing substance-use concerns, exploring recovery, or struggling with mental health to consider its peer-support program. The listed service address is in Lakewood, CO, not Golden, CO, and peer coaching is described as low barrier and low commitment. It is not clinical treatment, emergency care, guaranteed availability, or affiliated with Women’s Recovery.

Evidence behind this page

Supporting health information

Read how we select health information sources and apply the Women’s Recovery editorial policy. These references provide general education and context; they do not establish an individual diagnosis, service, or treatment recommendation.

01 Anabolic Steroids and Other Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drugs (APEDs) nida.nih.gov View source 02 Treatment nida.nih.gov View source 03 Women and Mental Health - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) nimh.nih.gov View source 04 Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol: How to Ask For Help? samhsa.gov View source 05 RTD W Line between Golden, CO and Denver, CO rtd-denver.com View source 06 Jefferson County peer support for substance use and recovery jeffco.us View source 07 Treatment Types for Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol | SAMHSA samhsa.gov View source 08 Managing Life with Co-Occurring Disorders | SAMHSA samhsa.gov View source 09 Get help: Mental health, drugs, or alcohol | Behavioral Health Administration bha.colorado.gov View source
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