Dependence-producing potential of anabolic-androgenic steroids

The Diagnostic Statistical Manual IV (DSM IV) and the International Classif ication of Diseases, Volume 10 (ICD 10) differ in the way they regard Anabo lic-Androgenic Steroids' (AAS) potential for producing dependence. DSM IV r egards AAS as potentially dependence producing and ICD 10 regards them as n on-dependence producing. There is also uncertainty as to the psychoactive n ature of AAS. This study used a semi-structured interview and a structured diagnostic interview (SCID) keyed to DSM III-R to examine the dependence-pr oducing potential of AAS in a group of 50 AAS users. The study found that 2 6% of the sample met the DSM m-R criteria for AAS dependence. However, othe r findings regarding the reasons people use AAS, the mechanism of action of AAS and patterns of cycling the drug, cast doubt on the psychoactive prope rties of AAS and support a "secondary reinforcement" mechanism of dependenc e.