Comparing Motivations for Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use Among an International Sample of Men

Bibliographic Data

ID21646584
AuthorsBahareh Ahmadinejad (0000-0003-2214-573X, The University of Queensland), Benjamin Bonenti (0009-0009-8759-2101, The University of Queensland), Cheneal Puljevic (0000-0002-3658-9772, The University of Queensland), Jason Ferris (0000-0001-7474-0173, The University of Queensland), Adam Winstock (0000-0001-7854-8015, University College London), Imran Khan (0000-0002-2069-7410, The University of Queensland), Lauren Ball (0000-0002-5394-0931, The University of Queensland), Krista Fisher (0000-0003-4066-3637, Movember Institute of Men’s Health), Timothy Piatkowski (0000-0002-6177-0266, The University of Queensland, corresponding author)
Year2026
Pages1-7
Publication date2026-06-05
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSubstance Use & Misuse (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1082-6084 • E-ISSN: 1532-2491
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10826084.2026.2675989
PMID42246246
OpenAlexW7163677885
LanguageEN
References cited65

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 1,146 men who reported AAS use within the past 12 months. Participants were categorized into two age groups (under 40 years and 40 years or older). Chi-square analyses were performed to compare the motivations for using AAS between these groups. Results: Predominant motivations for AAS use included enhancing athletic/physical performance (18.9%), improving body appearance/cosmetic reasons (18.3%), and hormone replacement therapy (16.9%). The only motivation that differed significantly by age group was the desire to retain or regain a youthful appearance, which was more commonly reported by older AAS consumers (χ2 (1) = 15.78, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Motivations for AAS use are largely similar across age groups, with youthful appearance emerging as the key differentiating motive among older men. Future research should consider age-specific harm reduction strategies

Harm · Harm reduction · Steroid use · Underpinning · Hormonal and reproductive studies · Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research · Sexual Differentiation and Disorders

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