Harm reduction strategies for androgen users: providing appropriate support and improving engagement with healthcare

Abstract

Purpose of review: As evidence continues to emerge of the harms associated with nonmedical androgen use, this review explores the implications from recent studies for designing strategies to reduce harm and support good health amongst androgen users.Recent findings: Studies have predominantly come from researchers in the UK and Australia. Major themes include questioning the scope and content of harm reduction strategies and identifying approaches to improve engagement between the androgen using community and healthcare providers. Findings suggest that a broader range of interventions and forms of advice are needed than are commonly provided. This must be supported by efforts to increase opportunities to deliver harm reduction through new engagement approaches, better relationships with health professionals, and more guidance on identifying and managing associated adverse health impacts.Summary: A fully developed harm reduction-based response to nonmedical androgen use will be one that not only seeks to reduce risk of bloodborne virus transmission and injecting-related harms, but that considers the range of needs amongst the diverse community of androgen users and respects their decisions and rights. Co-producing interventions with members of this community will help develop effective and engaging approaches. Rigorous studies are needed to evaluate new harm reduction interventions as well as those already delivered.

The criminal liability of health care professionals treating anabolic steroid users under the SpoPA

“…Among IPEDs, the anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) is the most commonly used drug [3]. Corresponding with the rise of IPED use, some AAS users seek professional advice in case of questions or side effects [4, 5]. In practice, healthcare professionals (HCPs) follow the principle of harm reduction and adhere to medical guidelines regarding optimal treatment for a patient [6].…”

Exploring the role of community pharmacies as a harm reduction environment for anabolic–androgenic steroid consumers: triangulating the perspectives of consumers and pharmacists

“…These insights provide a potential avenue for ‘rebuilding’ a lack of trust between AAS consumers and healthcare professionals which has been longstanding [ 23 , 57 , 64 – 66 ]. Further, given the calls from scholars to look beyond simply dispensing safe-injecting equipment [ 67 , 68 ], there is an urgent need for further exploration of healthcare provision meeting broader needs of people who use AAS. Our findings provide a way to meet that call and suggest community pharmacies could play a more pivotal role in supporting AAS consumers.…”