Drinking Alcohol While On Gear
So, you’re concerned about your alcohol intake while on gear. Good on you for thinking about the possible effects. Just because you are on gear doesn’t mean that you want to stop drinking alcohol altogether. But is it safe to do so? Here’s what you should know.
Drinking while on gear (anabolic steroids or AAS) is pretty common among users. Steroids are not illegal if prescribed by a doctor or if you’re in the right country. Alcohol is not illegal either, as long as the drinker is of legal age. The reasons why some people might use alcohol while on anabolic steroids can vary. Two of the mot common reasons to indulge in alcohol use are to socialize as well as combat the effects of “estrogen rebound”.
As an adult, many social functions include situations where alcohol is available, and pressure to drink is almost always there. It can be difficult to avoid these situations whether it be normal socialization with friends or acquaintances, or perhaps even business functions. For this reason, many adults end up drinking while on steroids. Some know the risks and still partake, while others may be unaware that sometimes alcohol and steroids can be a bad mix.
Not to mention, if you’re attending a function that involves watching sports, drinking is often part of the culture. Whether it’s the players of the sport hitting the bar for some drinks after the game, tailgating in the parking lot of the game, or just watching from the bar, avoiding alcohol is sometimes hard unless you surround yourself with people who also avoid it. Given that steroid use is generally kept secret or hidden, someone may feel pressured to use it to avoid revealing their secret.
Ok, so what is “estrogen rebound”? When someone stops their steroid cycle, they may develop the condition of estrogen rebound. This is where the production and release of estrogen (the female hormone) happens at rapid, elevated levels. The most common side effect of estrogen rebound is depression. This chemically induced depression is believed to be a major factor in why people choose to mix steroids and alcohol. However, since alcohol is related to an increase of estrogen in the body, their mood can plummet further, which creates a dangerous cycle.
Most medications can cause negative side effects when mixed with alcohol. This is true for mixing steroids and drinking as well. However, the risks might not be as high as with some other medicines. Most doctors who prescribe steroids do acknowledge that the user may drink in moderation, and accept that. However, when one or both substances are being abused, there is a risk for concern. Drinking in moderation is key (no binge drinking weekends – and definitely do not get blackout drunk). People who use steroids should always follow recommended guidelines for the compounds they use. Steroid abuse can be as simple as taking injections twice as often, or doubling their dose past recommendations.
Some people using steroids may choose to abstain from alcohol altogether while using them. While drinking can be a natural part of socializing, or enhancing a meal by pairing a specific drink with the meal, when some get a grasp of the risks, they may choose to cut back or abstain as well. Mixing anabolic steroids and alcohol can pose many risks, including:
• Kidney damage
• Liver toxicity and damage
• Immunosuppression
• Violent or erratic behavior
• Loss of gains
Alcohol and anabolic steroids (especially oral steroids) are hepatotoxic, meaning they can damage the liver cells while the liver is processing these substances. When using them at the same time, extra strain is put on the liver, therefore increasing the risk of damage. Always research your choice of AAS before using and especially before mixing with alcohol, because some (ahem…orals) are more toxic than others. The risk for damage greatly increases with having more alcohol, particularly more than a few drinks per week. You should only mix alcohol and steroids occasionally, not habitually.
Excessive drinking of any substance damages the immune system. Steroids and alcohol both reduce the function of the immune system. Even non anabolic steroids can inhibit the immune system. However, when in moderation, alcohol surprisingly has been shown to boost the immune system, depending on the type consumed (wine, anyone?). That being said, some alcohol is still immunosuppressive, and combining two immunosuppressive substance has the potential to cause great harm. This includes getting sick more often or performing less, which is counterintuitive to an athlete’s goals.
Additionally, both steroids and consuming alcohol have some consequences on mental health. Often times athletes find themselves focused on their physical self, and can sometimes ignore the consequences of their actions on their mental health. Mood swing and violent behavior have both been attributed to steroids and drinking. Some steroid users report cyclical feelings of euphoria, rage, and depression; which can cause them to act unpredictably at times. Alcohol use also can result in mood changes, lower inhibitions, and unpredictable behavior. Therefore, drinking on steroids may amplify these effects.
Last, one must consider that mixing steroids and alcohol may undermine your efforts towards your goals. Since alcohol affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis negatively, the body may be more prone to retaining fat and reducing muscle mass. When alcohol interacts with the system, testosterone may be lowered and estrogen may become relatively higher. As a result, combining alcohol and steroids has the potential to render your anabolic steroids useless.
Ultimately, it is up to you as an individual if you want to partake in alcohol use while using anabolic steroids. The risks are high, but avoiding alcohol altogether may be unavoidable. When socializing or going into situations where alcohol may be present, its best to prepare and weigh the pros and cons before indulging. Your hard work may be on the line.
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