Outline of a typology of men’s use of anabolic androgenic steroids in fitness and strength training environments*

Identifying a typology of men who use anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS)

“…While, a range of effective tools have been developed, to influence both the initiation of drug use and its potential escalation, evidence relating to the use of AAS in the general population is lacking (United Nations on Drugs and Crime, 2015). Building on the earlier work of Lenehan, Bellis & McVeigh (1996) and Dawson (2001) and developing quantitative typologies that compare to those formulated by Christiansen, Vinther, & Liokaftos (2016) we present a nuanced picture of sub-populations of AAS users. Combined with growing evidence bases related to health risks (Pope et al, 2014) and concomitant behavioural risks including sex, poly-drug use and injecting practices, these typologies can be used to inform targeted harm minimisation approaches to steroid use.…”

“…Individuals in cluster 3 represent the Athlete type. Christiansen et al (Christiansen et al, 2016) describe the Athlete type as primarily engaging in AAS use to prepare for bodybuilding competitions or strength events.…”

“…Variables chosen for cluster modelling were selected on the basis of their considered contribution to health risks and achieving desired outcomes of steroid use (Christiansen et al, 2016). All measurements were standardized using z scores for continuous variables and 0 or 1 for categorical variables.…”

“…Other efforts to distinguish distinct subpopulations of steroid users have adopted a qualitative approach and categorised individuals who use steroids according to primary motivation for use (Christiansen et al, 2016;Hakansson, Mickelsson, Wallin, & Berglund, 2012;Hanley Santos & Coomber, 2017;Kanayama & Pope, 2012). For example, research conducted in the United Kingdom during the 1990s (Korkia & Stimson, 1993;Lenehan, Bellis, & McVeigh, 1996) identified categories of users comprising 'competitive sports participants', 'occupational users' and 'aesthetic users' (and a potential fourth group of 'young or novice user') (Dawson, 2001).…”

“…The final group is the YOLO type. YOLO is an acronym for 'You Only Live Once' and this group typifies AAS users who engage with AAS in a 'haphazard' manner and whose use tends to be largely unplanned and driven by the desire to achieve quick improvements in their physique (Christiansen et al, 2016). Understanding different types of AAS use is important for identifying risks and developing targeted policies and interventions.…”