As someone with a very serious previous history of opiate addiction, a thorough knowledge the AA/NA & the 12 steps, several years of experience working in a recovery hospital, and extensive experience with steroids, here is my opinion.
1.) Most of the people in AA and NA know little to nothing about steroids. Their opinion regarding any cause an effect relationship between AAS and opiate addiction is patchy, at best. Do not go to these people for advice. How can you expect someone who has little to no knowledge of the primary subject matter (steroids) to render sound advice in this area? You can't.
2.) There is no set rule for steroid use post-addiction. Some people have no problems with it and miantain their recovery without any problems at all, while it causes struggles for others. Steroids activate some of the same regions of the brain that opiates do, which has caused some people to claim that it is a doorway to actuve addiction. I do not believe this is the case, as the receptprs that are activated by AAS are quite different than those activated by opistes. the fact is that each region of the brain can be activated by MANY different tings. For example, eating a piece of chocolate will activate the same regions of the brain as opiates do, but no one would ever claim that chocolate consumption is a doorway to active addiction. The point is that this theory is based on an inadequate understanding of how the brain works, but those who lack the education to refute the claim often think there is some validity to it, when in reality there is not...at least not any more than saying chocolate (or 100 other things) increases the possibility of relapse.
3.) Does this mean I condone steroid use in recovering addicts? Not necessarily. With AAS being mentally and physically gratifying, newly recovering addicts are more prone to abuse AAS in the same way they abused opiates than are non-addicts, strengthing the addictive behaviour they are trying to break. While resolving these behavious are a matter of resolving internal conflict, it does not help to put an outlet for this addictive behaviour right on front of them.
4.) Now, AAS are NOT the same as street drugs like cocaine, pot, heroin, etc. The reason addicts want to quit using opiates, aside from potential health issues, is because the drug often causes the user to make choices which can severely damage his life. Generaly speaking, steroids do not cause this type of behavior. When is the last time you saw a steroid user whoring himself out for a tab of d-bol...or stealing from loved one to pay for their vial of testosterone? When was the last time you saw a steroid user give up his rent money for some winny..or spend his child's grocery money on some deca?
5.) I advise againts those who are new in recovery using steroids. They should wait until they are firmly established in their recovery and they have resolved the majority of the internal reasons which caused the to use in the first place (at least a couple years). At that point, I am not necessarily opposed to one proceeding with caution, so long as others in their support group are fully aware of their decision and actions. This will help prevent the user from slipping back into his old ways unnoticed. Each situation should be decided on a case by case basis. Some recoverung addicts should probably never use AAS, while for others it is OK. I don't know you, so I can't advise you one way or the other--I can only provide information. Keep in mind that not everyone in recovery or those who work in the field of recovery agree with me. I have come to my conclusions based on my knowledge of these 2 classes of drugs, as well as my experiences with myself and others, but I will readily admit I don't have concrete answers. I don't think anyone does, but I strongly believe some recovering addicts are able to engage in steroid use at some point on their recovery without significantly endangering their recovery. I have seen it happen, so I know it can occur.
