Anabolic-androgenic steroid dependence.

The authors believe that this is the first published case report of a patient whose dependence on a combination of anabolic and androgenic steroids meets the DSM-III-R criteria for psychoactive substance dependence. Tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and the use of steroids to alleviate withdrawal symptoms occurred. An uncontrolled pattern of steroid use continued, despite adverse consequences, such as severe mood disturbance, marital conflict, and deterioration of the patient's usual values. Clinicians should be alerted to the possibility of dependence when asked to prescribe anabolic or androgenic steroids and should suspect steroid use among athlete patients who have mood or psychosocial disturbances.