PROGRAM OF RESEARCH:

As mentioned in our mission statement, we are interested in increasing the amount of relevant and valid data available for the APED use community as well as professionals who may interact with members of this community. We hope that this will demystify some of the phenomena of APED use, improve opportunities for clinical care where needed, and breakdown some of the stereotypes and obstacles to care currently encountered by APED users. As part of this research we also collaborate with a number of other individuals. Most directly, our research overlaps with those at the Center of Alcohol Studies, Rutgers University (http://alcoholstudies.rutgers.edu/research/clinical/index.html#clinical6)

A second goal is to consider the clinical and therapeutic possibilities raised by the substances often used by APED users. We are particularly interested in whether androgens can play a therapeutic role in treating anxiety or depression.

Descriptive Research: Because there is little documented information about APED use we have utilized both in-person interviewing and internet based research to generate a number of hypotheses and provide information about the heterogeneity among individuals who use APEDs.

We have an online research study that has been collecting data for the past 8 years and is designed to identify the core features, benefits, consequences, motivations, and demographics of APED users. You can check out our study at http://websurvey.rutgers.edu/steroids. We are also in the early stages of developing an online study to examine stereotypes and APED users. Keep checking back if you are interested as we will update our site with the link as it becomes available.

ASESSMENT OF APPEARANCE AND PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUG USE

Reliable and Valid Assessment: We are currently developing an semi-structured interview about the exercise and dietary patterns, appearance investment, APED use patterns typical to APED users. The interview takes about 1 hr and is administered by a trained interviewer. As part of this study we are recruiting adult men and women who have used APEDs in the past 12-months. Study participants receive 100$ for their time and participating includes the following:

• 2 one-on-one interviews
• Measurement of height, weight, and body fat percentage
• Self-report questionnaires about health, personality traits, body image, quality of life
• Computer assessments assess how you think about and solve problems
• 1/7 chance for submitting a urine screen

Consistent with our goals of encouraging a better scientific contribution, we are developing this interview to be the first assessment validated for use with APED users.

LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF ANABOLIC STEROD USE (LSAS)

We are conducting the first ever longitudinal study of individuals who use AAS. The study involves looking at how your body, hormones, and psychological states change over the course of a typical APED cycle. As part of this study we will also be recruiting non-steroid using control subjects who are frequent exercisers.

Eligible Participants:

All participants must be screened over the phone before enrolling in the study.

• Males 18 and older who have completed at least 1 cycle of AAS
• Planning to go on cycle in the next 3 months
• Cycle is intended to last 6-24 weeks

Participation Involves:

• 7 visits over about 8 months (depends on your cycle length)
• Visit #1 (3-4 hrs); Visits 2-7 (~1 hr)
• 6 Blood samples
• 6 Urine samples

What Participants Get:

• $400 over the 7 visits
• A comprehensive summary of hormonal status across cycle

—Stress Hormones (cortisol, etc.)
—Sex Hormones (androgens and estrogens)
—Metabolic hormones (thyroid hormones)
• A comprehensive summary of psychological changes across cycle
• A comprehensive summary of body composition changes across cycle

For more information about the study call 212-659-8673 or 212-659-9298.