Tuesday, September 01, 2020

Legal performance-enhancing substances associated with future problematic alcohol use

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/uot-lps083120.php


News Release 1-Sep-2020
University of Toronto

A new study published in the journal Pediatrics found that young adults aged 18-26 who used legal performance-enhancing substances were significantly more likely to report several problematic alcohol use and drinking-related risk behaviors seven years later. This relationship was especially strong among men. 


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Performance-enhancing substances can be legal, such as creatine monohydrate or protein powders, or illegal, such as anabolic-androgenic steroids. Research has consistently shown adverse health and social outcomes due to the illegal use of unprescribed steroid use, but few studies have been conducted to identify outcomes associated with legal performance-enhancing substance use.

The researchers found that men who used legal performance-enhancing substances were more likely to experience five alcohol use problems and risk behaviors. This included binge drinking, getting hurt or engaging in risky behaviors while under the influence of alcohol, experiencing legal problems while under the influence of alcohol, continued alcohol use despite emotional or physical health problems, and reduced activities and socialization that interfered with alcohol use.

"Risky alcohol use is a serious problem for adult men, who have higher rates of death associated with alcohol use compared to women," said Dr. Ganson. "Problematic alcohol use ultimately impedes economic and employment success, and increases health care and law enforcement costs."

Ganson hypothesizes that the social pressure that boys and men feel to achieve a lean and muscular body type may explain the different results between genders. "For most boys and men, this body ideal is unattainable, leading to performance-enhancing substance use," he says. "This body image contrasts with the thin ideal for girls and women."


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tags: drub abuse, drug use,

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