Table 5 Qualitative studies presenting AAS users’ first sources of AAS

Coach/trainer

Copeland [23] and Peters [24]; Gruber [27]; Korkia [12, 13]; Kusserow [32]

Doctor

Copeland [23] and Peters [24]; Korkia [12]; Kusserow [32]; O’Sullivan [39]

Friend/teammate

Bilard [21]; Copeland [23] and Peters [24]; Fudala [25]; Hegazy [28]; Kimergård [6]; Korkia [12]; Kusserow [32]; Nøkleby [38]; O’Sullivan [39]; Petrocelli [42]; Schwingel [46]; Skårberg [49]; Tallon [11]

Gym employee

Copeland [23] and Peters [24]; Khorrami [30]; Korkia [12, 13]; Kusserow [32]; Walker [10]

Illicit market (dealers, internet)

Annitto [19]; Bilard [21]; Copeland [23] and Peters [24]; Kimergård [8]; Korkia [12]; Kusserow [32]; Maycock [34, 35]; O’Sullivan [39]; Petrocelli [42]; Schwingel [46]; Todd [51]; Walker [10]

Intimate partner

Korkia [13]; Skårberg [49]

Pharmacist

Copeland [23] and Peters [24]; Kusserow [32]

Relative

Bilard [21]; Copeland [23] and Peters [24]; Fudala [25]

Veterinarian

Copeland [23] and Peters [24]; Kusserow [32]