Predicting future anabolic-androgenic steroid use intentions with current substance use: findings from an internet-based survey.
OBJECTIVE
To explore how current substance use, including the use of sports supplements and illicit drugs, may impact upon a person's future intentions to use anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS).


METHODS
Web-based survey.


METHODS
Two hundred fourteen exercising males (mean age, 30 years; range, 17-61 years) recruited from 5 gymnasia in Sydney, Australia, completed a web-based survey. The survey contained questions relating to sport supplement use, illicit substance use, reasons for currently not using AAS, and reasons for intending to use AAS in the future.


METHODS
Participants completed a structured interview schedule that included questions regarding licit and illicit substance use, reasons for non-AAS use, and, where appropriate, reasons for intended future AAS use.


METHODS
The planned main outcome measure was positive intention to use AAS.


RESULTS
Sixteen percent of the sample indicated that they would use AAS in the future. Reasons for future AAS use included increasing muscle size (80%), improving appearance (74%), and increasing strength (57%). Four-fifths (80%) of the sample reported use of sports supplements, with vitamins and protein supplements commonly reported (83% and 67%, respectively); more than one-third (36%) reported use of creatine in the past 6 months. Half (52%) of the sample reported use of illicit substances in the preceding 6 months, with amphetamines and cannabis commonly reported (66% and 62%, respectively). Significant predictors of intending to use AAS included past 6-month use of creatine and knowing AAS users.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of sport supplements and/or illicit substances may remove barriers for the future use of such drugs as AAS. Future research is necessary to explore in depth whether such substances may act as a "gateway" to future AAS use.
Dunn
Matthew
M
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia. M.Dunn@unsw.edu.au
Mazanov
Jason
J
Sitharthan
Gomathi
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000728:Androgens; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004300:Doping in Sports; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000728:Androgens; D013287:Illicit Drugs