title: Characteristics and Behaviors of Older Male Anabolic Steroid Users.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare and contrast the characteristics of 2 groups of men ≥40 years old: reported anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users and nonusers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight online fitness, weight lifting, bodybuilding, and steroid Web sites.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 67 male AAS users and 76 male nonusers ≥40 years old.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographics, utilization of AAS and other performance-enhancing agents (PEAs), exercise patterns, history of illicit drugs and alcohol use, and psychiatric traits/diagnoses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of AAS users ≥40 years old were caucasian (92.5%), heterosexual (97.0%), and classified themselves as recreational exercisers (79.1%). AAS users took more PEAs (11.5 ± 5.6 vs 4.6 ± 2.7; P < .001), were more likely to binge drink (47.8% vs 29.0%; P = .025), report heavy alcohol use (21.0% vs 7.9%; P = .031), meet criteria for substance dependence disorder (27.4% vs 4.0%; P < .001), and report an anxiety disorder diagnosis (12.0% vs 2.6%; P = .046) than nonusers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AAS misuse is prevalent among older men and is associated with polypharmacy, more aggressive alcohol use, and a higher incidence of substance dependence and anxiety disorders compared to nonusers. This information may help clinicians and researchers identify and develop appropriate intervention strategies for AAS abuse among older men.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Touro University California College of Pharmacy, Vallejo, CA, USA eric.ip@tu.edu.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Touro University California College of Pharmacy, Vallejo, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Trinh
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Touro University California College of Pharmacy, Vallejo, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tenerowicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Touro University California College of Pharmacy, Vallejo, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Touro University California College of Pharmacy, Vallejo, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Tristan A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Lindfelt
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Touro University California College of Pharmacy, Vallejo, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D013256:Steroids
keywords: abuse; anabolic steroids; anabolic–androgenic steroids; males; older men