Timothy Piatkowski
Datos Biográficos
| ID | 254740 |
|---|---|
| NOMBRE | Timothy Piatkowski |
| NOMBRES | Timothy |
| APELLIDO | Piatkowski |
| FIRMA | PIATKOWSKI T |
| AFILIACIONES | Griffith University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-6177-0266 |
| VERIFICADO | Sí |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 64 |
| TOTAL DE CITAS | 30 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 64 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMER AÑO DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2019 |
| AÑO MÁS RECIENTE DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2026 |
| ÍNDICE H | 4 |
Social media engagement and anabolic-androgenic steroid use intentions among boys and men in Canada and the United States
Online environments promote muscular ideals, yet how this exposure affects boys’ and men’s anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use intentions is understudied. This study examined the associations between screen time, social media use, and intentions to use AAS among boys and men who had never used them in Canada and the United States. Data were from The Study of Boys and Men ( N = 1515). Multiple linear regression models tested associations between…
GLP-1 weight-loss medicine and Retatrutide use for anabolic effects among online weight trainers
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) have rapidly transitioned from treatments for type 2 diabetes to widely used weight-loss medications. While compounds such as Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are clinically approved, the experimental triple-agonist Retatrutide has begun circulating through illicit online markets. Despite growing clinical research on their metabolic effects, little is known about how these substances are being incorpo…
Selfie Behaviors among Boys and Men
BACKGROUND: Self-photos ("selfies") and selfie editing are prevalent on social media and have been linked to body dissatisfaction. However, little is known about their associations with intentions to use anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) among boys and men, which were the aims of this study. METHODS: Data were drawn from The Study of Boys and Men, an online survey of 1515 boys and men aged 15-35 years from Canada and the United States who report…
Comparing Motivations for Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use Among an International Sample of Men
Introduction: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are used for medical and non-medical purposes. Although the motivations underpinning AAS consumption among men have been explored, less is understood about age-related differences. This research compares AAS use motivations between men aged <40 and ≥40 years. Method: Data were drawn from the 2024 Global Drug Survey (GDS2024), an international, self-selected online convenience sample, comprising 1,1…
Modifiable Determinants of Psychological Harms among Male Image and Performance Enhancing Drug Consumers
BACKGROUND: Image and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs) are linked to undesirable psychological effects (e.g., depression), influenced by various factors. This study examined associations between non-modifiable (e.g. age) and modifiable (e.g. prescription status, dosage regimen, polypharmacy load) factors and psychological effects among male IPED consumers. METHODS: Data from 785 males (median age = 30) reporting past-year IPED consumption in t…
Anabolic steroid coaching certification in India
Background Anabolic androgenic steroid coaches (ASCs) provide tailored drug-related advice to clients for a fee. While ASCs operate worldwide, the scant and emerging research available has largely focused on ASCs within a Western context, overlooking the Global South. This exploratory study aimed to investigate ASCs further, specifically in India, where anecdotal evidence suggests an ASC “boom.”Method A digital ethnography was conducted over a 12…
Mental health correlates of risky anabolic-androgenic steroid use in Australian alcohol and other drug treatment services
Background Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use is increasing globally yet remains poorly integrated into alcohol and other drug (AOD) service models. This study aimed to examine data from AOD service clients using AAS, seeking to understand the psychosocial correlates of risky use.Methods We analyzed service intake data from 2022-2025, comprising adults (N = 18786) who reported prior use of AAS (N = 521; 92.7% male). Measures included demograph…
Needle service provider trends for image and performance enhancing drugs in Queensland, Australia 2016–2023
Background Image and performance-enhancing drug (IPED) use is an emerging health concern in Australia, particularly within needle and syringe programs (NSPs). This study examined trends in IPED equipment access, demographic shifts, and metropolitan–regional disparities in Queensland (2016–2023).Methods A retrospective observational analysis used data from Queensland NSPs and the Queensland Injectors Health Network (QuIHN) (2016–2023). Statistical…
If you find me on the floor, stick some sugar in my mouth
Introduction Insulin is used among image and performance enhancing drug (IPED) communities for its anabolic effects, but its use carries significant risks, with the acute danger being hypoglycaemia, which can be life-threatening if not properly managed. Within these communities, harm reduction practices and informal peer knowledge exchange play a critical role in the way substances are consumed. This qualitative study sought to understand these c…
“You can only take your clients as far as you’ve been yourself”
Background Following Australia’s landmark 2023 decision to approve psilocybin and MDMA for clinical use, psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is beginning to emerge within regulated mental health settings. This study investigates psychologists’ views on the relevance of psychedelic therapists’ lived-living experience (LLE) with psychedelics. While discussion around LLE is growing, little is known about how psychologists perceive its role in clinica…
The Prevalence of Anabolic‐Androgenic Steroid Use Among Same‐Sex Attracted Men
The Trenbolo(g)ne Sandwich
Toward a Coordinated Global Response to Anabolic‐Androgenic Steroid Consumption
Anabolic‐androgenic steroid (AAS) use presents a growing global public health issue. Despite evidence of significant physical, psychological and social harms, responses to non‐medical AAS use remain fragmented, under‐resourced and lacking in coordinated clinical and policy frameworks. This commentary synthesises emerging evidence and outlines priorities for developing a comprehensive harm reduction approach. Recent innovations in Australia and Sw…
Making ‘safer injecting’ matter for people who inject image and performance enhancing drugs
Image and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs) are primarily injected intramuscularly or subcutaneously, yet traditional harm reduction strategies, focused on blood-borne virus prevention, often overlook the specific health enhancement goals of people who use IPEDs. This study advocates for a collaborative approach to safer injecting practices, informed by the lived-living experiences of people injecting IPEDs, to develop targeted messaging that a…
A never-ending cycle”
These findings suggest more consideration regarding policy changes to enhance the accessibility of HR interventions, including needle and syringe programs in Queensland prisons
Psychedelics and Sexual Trauma
Psychedelics are theorized to enhance emotional openness and interpersonal attunement, but their effects in sexual contexts - particularly among those with a history of sexual trauma - remain underexplored. This study investigated whether individuals who had used psychedelics to cope with or overcome sexual trauma (Psy-CST) reported different experiences of sexual communication and emotional connection compared to those who had not (No-Psy-CST). …
Design and evaluation of a co-produced social media campaign to promote aquatic safety in Queensland national parks
Social media increasingly shapes how visitors engage with aquatic locations in national parks, where risky behaviours contribute to drowning and injury risk. Selfies and photography with mobile phones have been implicated in fatal and non-fatal injury, due to distraction leading to a loss of awareness of a person’s surroundings. We partnered with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) to co-produce and evaluate a targeted Instagram water sa…
“I would never go to the doctor and speak about steroids”
Background This investigation explores the concept of stigma related to people who use anabolic-androgenic steroids (PWU-AAS) when accessing healthcare services. Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are used by subsections of the population and have been associated with various health harms. Responding to associated health risks, within the UK, harm reduction and healthcare service provisions have been established. Although these services provide e…
‘The general concept is a safer use approach’
Background Drug coaches are a novel extension of traditional personal trainers who play a significant role providing support and shaping drug-related behaviours for people who use image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs). They constitute a critical domain for everyday risk management, where substance use, and its associated harms are influenced by social exchange. This study investigated how IPED coaches negotiate safety within the community…
‘The gear could be cut with fentanyl which is starting to happen more in Australia’
Background The widespread proliferation of high-potency synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, has precipitated a severe public health crisis in North America, with escalating overdose fatalities. Emerging concerns are observed in Australia, where recent incidents underscore the global impact of these substances. This study aimed to explore the role of synthetic opioids in overdoses among people in Queensland, Australia, and identify appropria…
Safe beats down under
Background In the context of Australian music festivals, including those in the Northern Territory (NT), drug-related harms persist. This study focused on gathering local insights into drug-related behaviours and attitudes, particularly regarding drug checking, among NT festival attendees.Methods In May 2022, attendees (aged 16+) at a single-day multi-genre music festival in the NT were surveyed onsite about their drug use and harm reduction beha…
Why, Where, and with Whom? Understanding the set and setting influencing the consumption of NoLo beverages
Background: Production and use of no- and low-alcohol (NoLo) beverages has increased globally in recent years. Using data from a large international sample of people who drink alcohol, this study aimed to investigate patterns of NoLo drink consumption. Methods: The study utilized data from the 2022 Global Drug Survey (GDS). We used cross-tabulation and multiple correspondence analysis to understand usage patterns and identify key groupings. Resul…
Consuming ‘God Juice’
Creating Safer Injecting Practices Through Community‐Led Harm Reduction
Development, dissemination and community response towards the first community notice regarding misrepresented illicit anabolic‐androgenic steroids in circulation in Australia
Australia's Adonis
ObjectiveIncreasing numbers of young Australian men are training and dieting to attain high muscle mass and low body fat and using steroids and performance and image enhancing drugs to expedite this process. This study explored men's identification with a muscularity‐centred subculture and what contributes to the pursuit of masculine body image defined by muscularity.MethodParticipants were 14 young men who (a) weight‐trained >3 times per week, (…
Navigating Risks and Reducing Harm
Introduction: The existing body of literature on harm reduction for those who use anabolic–androgenic steroids (AASs) predominantly concentrates on men, thereby neglecting the unique challenges faced by women in this context. Using a risk environment framework, the aim of this study was to examine the gendered harm reduction practices of male and female AAS users. The study explores their awareness of the potential harms associated with AAS use, …
The Relationship Between Masculinity and Help-Seeking Among Australian Men Living in Non-urban Areas
This study explores how traditional masculine norms affect mental health help-seeking attitudes in men residing in regional, rural, and remote Australia. Participants ( N = 271) were men living outside of major cities of Australia. Analyses of survey data found increasing endorsement of masculine norms was predictive of more negative attitudes toward help-seeking. Perceived barriers to help seeking partially mediated relationships between masculi…
The relationship between psychosocial variables and drive for muscularity among male bodybuilding supplement users
Objective Given that a high drive for muscularity (DM) has been found to be associated with negative mental health outcomes for men, this research examined pathways involving social influence which may explain why some men are more susceptible to a DM than others.Method Building on previous qualitative research, this study examined psychosocial factors (self-esteem, perception of body by others, and body satisfaction during youth) and social infl…
I Feel Like I'm Walking the Line; One Side It's Manageable, the Other Side It's F**king prison
This Bourdieusian study interrogates the practices of an Australian-based “user-manufacturer” of image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs). Extending the concept of illicit drug “user-dealers”, we draw upon a case study of an IPED user-manufacturer, “Meiko”, to interrogate steroid-user habitus, the importance of reputation and community trust, and the minimization of risk through referral-only interactions and low-profile branding. Findings r…
Understanding muscularity, physique anxiety, and the experience of body image enhancement among men and women
This study explores the growing trend of pursuing an ideal muscular physique, which escalates the risk of body image issues and engagement in enhancement behaviours. Employing a mixed‐methods approach, we examined the psychosocial dynamics surrounding these ideals and experiences, particularly the use of performance and image‐enhancing drugs (PIEDs). The quantitative arm of the study, involving 131 participants of mixed gender, investigated assoc…
The ethics of enhancement among image and performance enhancing drug coaches
This research examines image and performance-enhancing drug (IPED) use, specifically focusing on the emerging role of IPED coaches. Situating drug use within broader assemblage theory, we investigated how these coaches, often operating in an online context, function as enabling environments, influencing practices, and contributing to harm reduction in a broader social context within and for IPED communities. Ten IPED coaches were interviewed, wit…
The impact of social media on self‐evaluations of men striving for a muscular ideal
This paper describes an innovative approach combining a content analysis of commentary and images on a Facebook page with a thematic analysis of the subjective experience expressed in interviews of those impacted by the text and images. Interview participants were asked about their perceptions of the representation of the muscularity‐focused identity on social media, including the specific Facebook page. Content analysis of the Facebook page comm…
Australia's Adonis
ObjectiveIncreasing numbers of young Australian men are training and dieting to attain high muscle mass and low body fat and using steroids and performance and image enhancing drugs to expedite this process. This study explored men's identification with a muscularity‐centred subculture and what contributes to the pursuit of masculine body image defined by muscularity.MethodParticipants were 14 young men who (a) weight‐trained >3 times per week, (…
The impact of social media on self‐evaluations of men striving for a muscular ideal
This paper describes an innovative approach combining a content analysis of commentary and images on a Facebook page with a thematic analysis of the subjective experience expressed in interviews of those impacted by the text and images. Interview participants were asked about their perceptions of the representation of the muscularity‐focused identity on social media, including the specific Facebook page. Content analysis of the Facebook page comm…
Modelling the Relationship Between Environmental and Social Cognitive Determinants of Risky Drinking Among Emerging Adults
The mental health of elite athletes in developing nations of the greater Oceania region
Objective The mental health of elite athletes is reportedly similar to that of the general community, but there could be important differences across geographic regions and cultures. This study investigated the mental health and levels of psychological distress of elite athletes from developing nations in the Oceania region via a cross-sectional survey.Method The survey assessed the mental health status, psychological distress, and help-seeking b…
The relationship between psychosocial variables and drive for muscularity among male bodybuilding supplement users
Objective Given that a high drive for muscularity (DM) has been found to be associated with negative mental health outcomes for men, this research examined pathways involving social influence which may explain why some men are more susceptible to a DM than others.Method Building on previous qualitative research, this study examined psychosocial factors (self-esteem, perception of body by others, and body satisfaction during youth) and social infl…
‘My mind pretty much went to mush’
More drugs means more stress on my body”
Existing data reveals prevalent performance and image-enhancing drug (PIED) use in specific global regions and higher rates among athletes, however, research on performance-enhancement experiences among elite untested athletes is lacking.Drawing on conceptual frameworks that emphasize the intersection of context and practice, this research aims to gain insights into the subjective perspectives, motivations, and challenges faced by athletes in man…
The Liver King Lie
It is well-established that performance and image enhancing drugs (PIEDs) are effective in increasing muscle mass and strength. PIEDs are unique in that, while harm may result from use, there is little evidence of widespread individual or social harm comparable with other illicit substances. However, given the rapid growth of the online health and fitness industry, the digital consumption of hardcore fitness content represents a space ripe for in…
They sent it away for testing and it was all bunk”
AAS consumers recognise the significance of monitoring their AAS use and seek a service that can not only assist them in making informed decisions regarding AAS usage but also potentially contribute to the knowledge of the wider AAS-consuming community. These findings underscore the importance of tailored education, drug checking services, and harm reduction measures to address the diverse needs of AAS consumers
Big business
This article draws on three mutually independent ethnographic studies to explore the private sector market for image and performance enhancing drug (IPED) harm reduction in the UK, specifically examining (1) steroid accessory supplements; (2) blood testing services; and (3) bloodletting services. After contextualising the work with a discussion of IPED use and harm reduction and the substantial growth of the global health and fitness industry, ea…
The Relationship Between Masculinity and Help-Seeking Among Australian Men Living in Non-urban Areas
This study explores how traditional masculine norms affect mental health help-seeking attitudes in men residing in regional, rural, and remote Australia. Participants ( N = 271) were men living outside of major cities of Australia. Analyses of survey data found increasing endorsement of masculine norms was predictive of more negative attitudes toward help-seeking. Perceived barriers to help seeking partially mediated relationships between masculi…
Enhancing child safety and well-being in the northern territory
This article reports on a study that provides insights into the challenges faced by practitioners in the Northern Territory (NT) who support families in enhancing child safety and well-being, particularly for children at risk of or exposed to domestic or family violence. Despite increased funding for programs aimed at improving children's safety and well-being, reports and substantiations of child maltreatment in the NT continue to escalate. Inte…
Unmasking Distorted Reflections
Background: Violence within nighttime entertainment districts (NEDs) has been blamed on problematic masculinity and has predominantly been attributed to excessive alcohol intake and steroid use in men. In this report we conducted two studies to: (1) ascertain whether researchers could act as third-party raters of body weight and muscle mass in NED patrons; and (2) to examine the relationship between body self-image, inebriation, alcohol preloadin…
The health effects of non‐prescribed anabolic–androgenic steroid use
“The compounds for females are really commonly faked!”
‘Insulin is super dangerous if you don't know what you're doing’
A Collaborative Approach to Understanding the Intersections of Practice and Policy for Peers in the Alcohol and Other Drugs Sector
We advocate for a shift towards equitable and inclusive policy development through both organisational and systemic restructuring. However, these changes are hamstrung by broader policy frameworks, which require a shift to peer-led principles, ensuring the expertise of peers is genuinely valued. Policymakers should invest in expanding peer frameworks, acknowledging the diversity within communities of people who use drugs to improve health equity …
I go back to it every f**king time”
Introduction\nThis study addresses the dearth of research on specific anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), focusing on the contentious substance Trenbolone. With increased potency and risks, Trenbolone’s effects, both in animal studies and among human users, raise concerns for neurodegeneration, genotoxicity, and significant social harms. Despite these risks, people persist using Trenbolone and other AAS, navigating the harm-to-benefit ratio. The …
How do relational practices co-constitute care for people who use drugs? The social and political dimensions of peer-led harm reduction
Our data highlight the vital role of peer connections and peer-led harm reduction practices in fostering safety, solidarity, and connection among communities of people who use drugs. Future research should continue to explore peer-led initiatives within evolving healthcare contexts, considering broader social dynamics and employing innovative conceptual frameworks to promote equitable peer-led harm reduction strategies
Examining the association between trenbolone, psychological distress, and aggression among males who use anabolic-androgenic steroids
The study highlights trenbolone's association with increased verbal aggression among males using AAS, particularly at higher doses. Further research should continue to differentiate between AAS types and the accompanying health harms
Sweating for Sobriety
Despite various interventions available for substance use disorders, relapse rates remain substantial and, therefore, alternative strategies for attenuating dependence are needed. This study examined the associations between exercise frequency, illicit substance use, and dependence severity among a large sample of people who use drugs. The study utilized data from the Global Drug Survey 2018 ( N = 57,110) to investigate the relationship between e…
Understanding muscularity, physique anxiety, and the experience of body image enhancement among men and women
This study explores the growing trend of pursuing an ideal muscular physique, which escalates the risk of body image issues and engagement in enhancement behaviours. Employing a mixed‐methods approach, we examined the psychosocial dynamics surrounding these ideals and experiences, particularly the use of performance and image‐enhancing drugs (PIEDs). The quantitative arm of the study, involving 131 participants of mixed gender, investigated assoc…
Navigating Risks and Reducing Harm
Introduction: The existing body of literature on harm reduction for those who use anabolic–androgenic steroids (AASs) predominantly concentrates on men, thereby neglecting the unique challenges faced by women in this context. Using a risk environment framework, the aim of this study was to examine the gendered harm reduction practices of male and female AAS users. The study explores their awareness of the potential harms associated with AAS use, …
Performance and Image Enhancing Drug Use Among Australian Women
Background: Women comprise a minority of performance and image-enhancing drug (PIED) consumers, with use linked to undesirable side effects. Preliminary work suggests that many women have little knowledge of what substances they are using, with males close to them involved in their use. This study aimed to explore women's motivations for PIED use; to examine the negative health experiences related to use; and to understand how interpersonal relat…
The Ipeds assemblage
The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) recently ended their anti-doping partnership amidst controversy. We treat this decision, and the motivations underpinning it, as a means of exploring the complexities of anti-doping norms and the blurred lines between image and performance enhancing drug (IPED) use in sport and wider society. Drawing ideas from assemblage thinking, we analyse the evolving power dynamics su…
Psychology (40 obras) · Medicine (36 obras) · Hormonal and reproductive studies (22 obras) · Social Psychology (20 obras) · Sociology (19 obras) · Harm (17 obras) · Psychiatry (16 obras) · Harm reduction (14 obras) · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk (14 obras) · Political science (13 obras)