Steroids and alcohol are the two most common drugs that are used by people, especially those belonging to the bodybuilding industry.
Well, the reason for steroid use can be understood.
Surely novice bodybuilders and struggling athletes, in desperation to get results, start taking steroids to impress others and reach their goals earlier than expected.
But what makes such people consume alcohol?
Well, it could be for a number of reasons.
Some consume it for getting out of stress, others take it for pleasure, while some drink to forget their pain or for temporary relief from the side effects they are facing due to hardcore steroid use.
But the thing that people are unaware of are the implications of using both alcohol and steroids at once.
It is important to know the answer to questions like what is the safe limit of using both at once? Or can we drink alcohol freely while on Anavar, the safest steroid?
Read along to find out all your queries answered in this one stop guide to steroids and alcohol.
Usage of alcohol and steroids
Identifying someone who doesn’t drink or do steroids in the bodybuilding industry is a one-in-a-million chance.
You would say alcohol and steroids are the most predominant substances being used in the world, and unfortunately, you wouldn’t be wrong.
Developed countries especially, such as the US and UK, are facing this problem more seriously than others.
As per recent studies by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, around 86.4 percent of people above the age of 18 drink alcohol at some point in their life. This figure is alarming and increasing every year.
But why do people take steroids and drink alcohol simultaneously?
Generally, it is seen that people, who do bodybuilding or those who are athletes, are found taking alcohol and steroids simultaneously.
The result of taking both can be detrimental to them.
Well, the reasons behind it, as I said before, are quite basic. Some claim it gives them pleasure, while others say that they take it for relaxation purposes.
As per athletes and lifters, taking anabolic steroids alters their mood significantly. They start feeling low all the time and feel in a constant state of depression. This mood is known as “Estrogen rebound”. (Estrogen is a hormone found in the body whose production is increased to combat the increase in testosterone concentration due to steroids.)
When you are in a state of depression, seeking immediate emotional comfort becomes your first priority. And substances like alcohol seem like the best option because they contain psychoactive substances. Nevertheless, these drinks have dependence-producing properties.
So, it brings us to this…
Is alcohol dangerous?
Yes, you can say so….
For centuries, in many cultures, drinking alcohol has been a common practice. The intake of alcohol was quite unregulated, and it is a well-known fact that excessive drinking is harmful. People fell for this addictive booze without thinking too much of the consequences.
However, the aftermath is quite severe.
Cases have been registered with alcohol consumption being a cause of detriment to other people, family, community, or strangers. This is because over consumption leads to loss of attentiveness and ability to act in a sensible manner. This delusional state makes the drinker behave dangerously.
An astounding 88,000 deaths have been registered on an annual basis because of alcohol consumption!
Hence, it can be a trap and you will plunge into this dark hole of addiction once you get used to drinking…
And when this combines with steroids, the situation only gets worse.
As the majority of you are not aware of the consequences of alcohol and steroids, you will find yourself depending on both and as you progress, this addiction can even become life-threatening to you.
How can you get into this trap of using alcohol and steroids?
The primary reason for this can be something we all can agree with…
Being sad or facing failure is a part of life and everyone at least once in life has been through this stage. Grief or disappointment is not a good feeling, and everyone tries to get rid of this sentiment as early as possible. Some find friends or travel, while others drink alcohol.
Normally in our society, reducing our misery by drinking is considered acceptable. People usually adapt this practice more when they are alone.
But this can be hazardous, especially for someone who might be going through an estrogen rebound.
Feeling miserable can enhance estrogen, and this increment can force the person to use steroids and improve the mood. This vicious cycle of alcohol and steroids creates an involuntary habit of dependency.
Secondly, it is very common to see athletes and bodybuilders taking steroids to get the required energy. But as they take steroids, they face side effects too. To avoid the pain or issues of such side effects, they prefer to consume alcohol to relieve themselves of the constant worries and stress.
Once they get into this cycle, they become addicted to steroids and alcohol which in turn make their life more awful than before.
This is why, the best practice I would recommend you is to stop drinking once and for all. This detrimental cycle can be the cause of your downfall and will crush your goals unlike any other.
Are you still not ready to stop drinking alcohol?
Read along to find out the quantity of alcohol and steroid that is not harmful.
As per research, the permitted quantity of liquor depends on the number of steroids you are taking. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, steroid consumption is categorized into 3 categories:
Low: Less than 7.5mg/day
Moderate: Between 7.5mg and 40mg /day
High: more than 40mg/day
Authorities have stated that alcohol consumption should be less if the dosage of steroids is high. The more the dose, the less you can take alcohol to be on the safe side.
Note: 1 to 2 glasses of alcohol a day are more than enough if you are a moderate steroid user.
The usage of alcohol also depends on the duration you are taking the steroids for.
If it is for the long term then it is recommended either not to drink alcohol or limit yourself to a very less quantity (even half a glass) per day. The reason behind this is that using a steroid for the long term increases the possibility of its side effects, which can then be made worse by alcohol.
However, studies emphasize that the above guidelines are conditional, and more research is needed to reach a firm decision. Therefore, the intake of alcohol varies and depends on individual health status among various other factors.
The side effects of alcohol and steroids
You should know the possible outcomes of drinking alcohol with steroids if you are a user of both of these substances. The list is not limited to this but the common and major signs are mentioned below:
- Unexplained weight gain
- Brittle bones
- Elevated blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Greater chances of heart attack and stroke
- Depression
- Increased appetite
- Ulcers
- Acne
- Recurring mood swings
- Irritability
- Slurred speech
- Impaired coordination
- Memory loss
- Uncontrollable eye movements
- Impaired judgment
Immediate doctor appointment is recommended for treatment if you are feeling any of the above-mentioned signs. These signs are common in both genders.
Health risks of mixing alcohol with steroids
The use of steroids under medical supervision or according to recommended dose is safe. But still, almost all steroids have possible side effects and increase health risks.
Anabolic steroids, a man-made version of hormones, are the primary culprit behind this. You may be prescribed these if you have a deficiency of testosterone or you may take these to enhance your muscle growth, boost your stamina or lose weight when you are bodybuilding . The other category is known as corticosteroids, which are generally used as a medication to reduce inflammation in the body.
Talking about alcohol, a balanced or moderate use of alcohol can be safe. Yet, the misuse of it can have a terrible impact. And when that combines with steroids, the situation worsens.
I have listed down the major risks down below:
● Kidney and Liver
Kidneys and liver are the two most important organs in your body. With the long-term consumption of steroids, both organs can have adverse effects. And on top of it, if you consume too much alcohol, both organs can suffer from permanent damage.
People with alcohol use disorder (AUD) are especially at high risk. The combination of steroids and alcohol can be too much for the liver. Steroids bring the liver under severe stress and excessive alcohol consumption destroys your liver. If this misuse is persistent, you can suffer from cirrhosis or liver cysts. This can ultimately lead to liver failure.
On the other hand, kidneys have to work extra hard to filter out toxins from your body. With both drinking and abusing steroids, you will worsen your kidney health, leading to infections and failure, if remain unchecked.
● Brain
The other most important organ that is affected due to combining steroids with alcohol is the brain. You may suffer from a mentally unstable state if the simultaneous consumption of the two is not stopped. This mental change can be subtle or even progress to psychotic behaviors!
Some of the users have also complained about their mood changing to belligerence or constant rage.
● Depression
Depression has become quite common in today’s generation. And unfortunately, both substances are linked to this issue. Depression can get worse if alcohol and steroids are used irregularly for long periods. A constant feeling of hopelessness prevails and you slowly lose your willingness to fight for better things in your life.(Sigh…)
● Illness Complications
Illnesses of all kinds, be it genetic or not, are linked to your physical health. There is a high possibility of your illness getting complicated if you do not stop taking alcohol and steroids together. The chance of recovery is reduced because the medication you usually use will not be working perfectly. (Yup, they interfere with the absorption and action of the medicines too…quite alarming, isn’t it?)
Even low consumption of both alcohol and steroids is also very dangerous during any illness.
● Diabetes
Your sugar level is prone to increase if you are using steroids. This increases the risk of steroid-induced diabetes. The use of alcohol, on top of it, can further enhance its effects causing unstable blood sugar levels.
And if you have genetic disposition of this disease, your chances of developing diabetes and depending on insulin become increasingly high. (A life depended on insulin in not a walk in the park. You would have to stab yourself with needles at least 3 times a day to administer insulin before every meal. And the food restrictions are next-level too!)
● Gastrointestinal problems
Upset stomach and indigestion can happen due to alcohol and steroids, which as a result can increase your risk of GI bleeding. It can also cause severe pain in the abdomen due to peptic ulcers.
● Osteoporosis
The combined effect of alcohol and steroids can cause your bones to become weak. Since your body’s capacity to retain calcium is reduced in such a situation, it can ultimately impact the health of bones, making your chances of developing osteoporosis become extremely high.
● Weakened immune system
Abuse of alcohol and steroids varies in effect from person to person.
Both alcohol and steroids affect the immune system individually and combined. A weak immune system has a high possibility of putting your life in danger by dragging you to serious illness.
Anavar and alcohol connection
You now must be wondering if alcohol and strong steroids are not recommended to use together, why not use them with the safest drug called ANAVAR?
To know the answer to the above question, I would highly recommend you know the basics of Anavar first.
So what is Anavar?
Anavar is a widely used oral anabolic steroid. The name “Anavar” is the trade name linked with oxandrolone. The most common use is by bodybuilders to gain mass, lose fat and enhance their performance.
Though studies have suggested that Anavar is the safest steroid in the market for both men and women, you must be cautious of using it and always consult your health professional first.
There are several side effects linked with Anavar and over consumption is the main reason behind this. The side effects are
- Heart problems, including a heart attack
- Stroke
- Liver problems
- Mood disorders or mental illnesses
- Behavior changes linked to drug addiction
- Withdrawal symptoms such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, and sleep disturbances
It is not necessary that you face the above mentioned issues all at once. There are many other factors such as your health, age, dosage, and eating lifestyle that play a major role in the range of side effects you face.
Mixing Anavar with Alcohol
Anavar and alcohol mixture is strongly not recommended.
And why is that?
Well, that’s because alcohol increases the concentration of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. GABA is found in the spinal cord and brainstem. The intake of alcohol causes a reduction of the neuronal transmitter that is excitative.
If you consume alcohol and Anavar both, the primary effect is inflated, enhancing the stress on the body with unpredictable results.
Furthermore, Anavar and alcohol also affect the dopamine level of the brain. This effect directly leads to the upshot on the mental and physical health of a person. You must know that mental health plays a vital role in physical well being. If you are not mentally healthy, you can not use 100% of your strength, as your willingness to put in all your efforts and being persistent is decreased.
The higher quantity of Anavar and alcohol you consume, the greater the adverse effect would be. Athletes and bodybuilders are highly recommended to be very careful in taking these.
Additionally, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has described from research that extended use of Anavar and alcohol can create lots of problems for two main organs, the liver, and kidney. As alcohol has already caused damage to the liver, the addition of steroids can be further devastating and can potentially cause liver failure.
Health risks of mixing Anavar steroid and alcohol
The menace related to this vicious combo does not end here. You can also suffer from varied health complications that occur due to a mixture of Anavar and alcohol, as mentioned below:
- Dehydration
Dehydration leads to many unknown diseases. Even if you drink ample water, this effect can happen due to mixing alcohol and Anavar. Dehydration can make your body weak and you will, unknowingly, take more steroids to gain extra power which will in return be very damaging to your health.
- Sedative effect
This effect is known as when you become very tired and sleepy. Alcohol and Anavar both can adversely affect your immune system. Once it overpowers your body, you feel lethargic and tired all the time. This also affects your mental health and your thinking and decision power is greatly impacted.
- Blood pressure
Blood pressure helps in supplying blood and oxygen to all parts of the body. After the unchecked intake of Anavar and alcohol, it is likely that your B.P. remains high all the time. A consistently high blood pressure can be the first alarm to your heart health. It can make you hypertensed and unable to function normally. Hence caution about it is mandatory.
- Allergic reaction
Last but not least, a skin allergic reaction is also possible while you are on this combo. It can also be potentially life-threatening.
Skin reactions are common when you take Anavar but it could worsen when alcohol is added to it. You are advised to immediately visit the doctor once the symptoms start to occur.
Still not satisfied?
And want to take alcohol with Anavar?
Let’s read the experience of the users!
Detailed reviews on the internet find the mixture of alcohol and Anavar as not satisfactory. People also have written that the side effects were so dangerous that they had to get admitted to the hospital for recovery. The recovery phase was also very challenging and prolonged. Some of the health problems that are mentioned often are:
- Reduction in reflexes
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
Other than the above, some people have also complained either about irritability, euphoria, depression, or all three. Anavar and alcohol have also significantly increased fatigue which can easily lead to death, depression, seizures, or coma.
Be attentive while consuming both as it is a very dangerous mixture.
Final verdict
Using steroids without medical supervision can be risky. And it’s also better to stick to the safe dosage limit in every cycle, because believe me or not, this is where loopholes exist. You need to have self-control over yourself and an awareness of the outcomes of your actions.
Secondly, drinking alcohol is also not good for your well-being and taking it with an anabolic steroid such as Anavar can be perilous. Thus, it should be carefully considered and discussed with other professionals before you make any choice.
To reiterate, knowing what’s best for your body and acting accordingly is the best way forward.
Don’t wear your body out by doing everything at once i.e. strong steroids and hardcore drinking. Mixing alcohol and steroids is quite dangerous (even the safest roid, Anavar is not exempt from this), and should be treated as it is. Taking conscious decisions can save you from lots of issues in terms of health, money, and time.
And if you see a person who claims to be both a drinker and a steroid user and says that he is fit as hell then, believe me mate, it’s just the calm before the storm. He will have to face the winds and suffer from his actions sooner or later!