Polypharmacy among anabolic-androgenic steroid users: a descriptive metasynthesis

Table 2 Non-AAS substances used before AAS use debut, reason(s)/motive(s) for use, and studies

Substance	Reason(s) for use	Studies (First author, reference)
Alcohol	Better sleep and relaxation	Fudala [17]; Gruber [21]; Hoff [24]; Kanayama [26]; Katz [29]; Kusserow [34]; Perry [47]; Skårberg [53]
Amphetamine	Boosting training, alertness, psychological wellbeing	Hoff [24]; Skårberg [53]
Analgesics/opioids^†	Pain relief	Kanayama [26]
Cannabis	NS	Fudala [17]; Hoff [24]; Kanayama [26]; Kusserow [34]; Perry [47]
Cocaine	NS	Fudala [17]; Gruber [21]; Kanayama [26]; Katz [29]; Perry [47]
Creatine	Boosting training	Skårberg [53]
Dietary/nutritional supplements^†	Boosting training, energy	Skårberg [53]
Heroin	NS	Cornford [13]
Protein powder	Boosting training	Skårberg [53]
Stimulants^†	NS	Kusserow [34]
Other IPEDs, licit and illicit substances	NS	Gruber [21]; Hoff [24]; Kanayama [27,28]; Perry [47]

ISSN: 1747-597X