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The world's first anabolic‐androgenic steroid testing trial: A two‐phase pilot combining chemical analysis, results dissemination and community feedback.

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Title: The world's first anabolic‐androgenic steroid testing trial: A two‐phase pilot combining chemical analysis, results dissemination and community feedback.
Authors: Piatkowski, Timothy, Coomber, Ross, Francis, Cameron, Kill, Emma, Davey, Geoff, Cresswell, Sarah, White, Alan, Harding, Madeline, Blakey, Karen, Reeve, Steph, Walters, Brooke, Puljevic, Cheneal, Ferris, Jason, Barratt, Monica
Source: Addiction. Jul2025, Vol. 120 Issue 7, p1366-1377. 12p.
Subjects: Androgens, Drug adulteration, Research funding, Anabolic steroids, Risk management in business, Interviewing, Decision making in clinical medicine, Descriptive statistics, Drug use testing, Thematic analysis, Harm reduction, Research methodology, Health behavior, Health education, Patient participation, Patients' attitudes
Geographic Terms: Australia
Abstract: Background and Aims: The clandestine production and distribution of anabolic‐androgenic steroids (AAS) poses health risks due to the uncertainty of their contents. This study aimed to test the chemical content of AAS samples and provide aggregate results back to the community, exploring how these results influenced usage decisions and risk management. Design: A mixed‐methods approach was used, combining chemical analysis of AAS samples with qualitative interviews. Participants submitted samples for testing, and the results were later shared with them. Semi‐structured interviews explored participants' perceptions of AAS risks and the impact of testing results on their behaviour. Setting: The study was conducted at CheQpoint drug checking service in Brisbane, Australia. Participants: Thirty‐two samples were submitted for testing between 19 April and 7 June 2024, with 23 samples analysed. A total of 25 active AAS users participated in interviews. Measurements Chemical analyses identified substances present and assessed active ingredient concentrations. Qualitative interviews gathered participants' perceptions, and these data were analysed through iterative categorisation, guided by the Health Belief Model. Findings Chemical analysis identified that 13% of samples contained substances different from what was expected. Concentrations of active ingredients were close to expected levels [e.g. testosterone propionate at 96.2 mg/mL (range = 91.39–101.01 mg/mL)]. Interviews identified four key theme categories. Participants sought testing primarily for substance verification, expressing concerns about contamination and dosage. Barriers to testing included limited access and fear of disclosure. While testing was seen as a valuable harm reduction tool, gaps in health guidance and follow‐up support were identified as areas for improvement. Conclusions: Thirteen percent of 23 anabolic‐androgenic steroid (AAS) samples analysed contained substances different from what was expected. Interviews with active AAS users highlighted the need for reliable information, accessible testing services and tailored health approaches for AAS use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Addiction is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: The world's first anabolic‐androgenic steroid testing trial: A two‐phase pilot combining chemical analysis, results dissemination and community feedback.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Addiction%22">Addiction</searchLink>. Jul2025, Vol. 120 Issue 7, p1366-1377. 12p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Australia%22">Australia</searchLink>
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  Data: Background and Aims: The clandestine production and distribution of anabolic‐androgenic steroids (AAS) poses health risks due to the uncertainty of their contents. This study aimed to test the chemical content of AAS samples and provide aggregate results back to the community, exploring how these results influenced usage decisions and risk management. Design: A mixed‐methods approach was used, combining chemical analysis of AAS samples with qualitative interviews. Participants submitted samples for testing, and the results were later shared with them. Semi‐structured interviews explored participants' perceptions of AAS risks and the impact of testing results on their behaviour. Setting: The study was conducted at CheQpoint drug checking service in Brisbane, Australia. Participants: Thirty‐two samples were submitted for testing between 19 April and 7 June 2024, with 23 samples analysed. A total of 25 active AAS users participated in interviews. Measurements Chemical analyses identified substances present and assessed active ingredient concentrations. Qualitative interviews gathered participants' perceptions, and these data were analysed through iterative categorisation, guided by the Health Belief Model. Findings Chemical analysis identified that 13% of samples contained substances different from what was expected. Concentrations of active ingredients were close to expected levels [e.g. testosterone propionate at 96.2 mg/mL (range = 91.39–101.01 mg/mL)]. Interviews identified four key theme categories. Participants sought testing primarily for substance verification, expressing concerns about contamination and dosage. Barriers to testing included limited access and fear of disclosure. While testing was seen as a valuable harm reduction tool, gaps in health guidance and follow‐up support were identified as areas for improvement. Conclusions: Thirteen percent of 23 anabolic‐androgenic steroid (AAS) samples analysed contained substances different from what was expected. Interviews with active AAS users highlighted the need for reliable information, accessible testing services and tailored health approaches for AAS use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Addiction is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1111/add.70009
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Androgens
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Drug adulteration
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research funding
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Anabolic steroids
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      – SubjectFull: Risk management in business
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      – SubjectFull: Interviewing
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      – SubjectFull: Decision making in clinical medicine
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      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
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      – SubjectFull: Drug use testing
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      – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Harm reduction
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      – SubjectFull: Research methodology
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      – SubjectFull: Health behavior
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      – SubjectFull: Health education
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      – SubjectFull: Patient participation
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      – SubjectFull: Patients' attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Australia
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              Text: Jul2025
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