Harm reduction measures in a recreational gym user with anabolic androgenic steroid dependence: a case report in the context of current best clinical practice

Non-medical androgen use is a growing global issue among recreational gym-goers. The intersection of severe health risks and substance dependence highlights the urgent need for an integrated, medical and harm-reduction approach-ideally delivered in specialized primary care settings. Early detection of cardiovascular risk factors is crucial for mitigating the often-overlooked yet potentially reversible complications. A reassessment of legal and clinical measures is warranted to optimize harm reduction and provision of care. Despite best practices and a year of abstinence from non-medical androgen use, the patient's fatal outcome underscores the critical need for further research, heightened awareness, and more robust prevention and harm reduction strategies for those affected by non-medical androgen use.