Use of anabolic-androgenic steroids and other substances prior to and during imprisonment - Results from the Norwegian Offender Mental Health and Addiction (NorMA) study / Ingrid Amalia Havnes, Anne Bukten, Eline Borger Rognli, Ashley Elizabeth Muller. - (Drug and Alcohol Dependence 217 (2020) 108255 (1 December); p. 1-7)
- PMID: 32949884
- DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108255
Abstract:
Background: Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use is associated with health problems and substance use.
Substance use is common among inmates. This study aims to estimate lifetime and prison use of AAS and other
substances, compare characteristics of groups of inmates, and describe factors associated with AAS use in a
national prison population.
Methods: Data from the Norwegian Offender Mental Health and Addiction (NorMA) Study, a cross-sectional
survey of people in prisons, included sociodemographic variables and lifetime and prison use of AAS and other
substances. Altogether 1,499 inmates, including 96 (6.4%) women, were divided into three mutually exclusive
groups according to lifetime AAS use, non-AAS substance use and no substance use.
Results: Lifetime AAS use was reported by 427 (28.5%) inmates; 6 women and 421 men. Non-AAS substance use
was reported by 593 (39.6%) and 479 (31.9%) had never used AAS or non-AAS substances.
Compared to the non-AAS substance group, the AAS group reported younger debut ages for nearly all non-AAS
substances, higher mean number of non-AAS substances used in their lifetime (8.9, 6.6, p < 0.001), during the six
months prior to incarceration (5.2, 3.1, p < 0.001), and during (2.3, 1.3, p < 0.001) imprisonment. Although 120
(8.0%) inmates used AAS during the six months prior to incarceration, only ten continued during imprisonment.
Conclusions: Lifetime AAS use is common among inmates and may be an indicator of more severe substance use
problems. Screening for previous and present AAS use at incarceration and increased staff awareness are needed
to tailor treatment approaches appropriately.
