We have already established that it requires grams (average between 6-9g) of anabolic steroids per week in combination with 20-40iu's (average) of growth hormone weekly with insulin and various peptides to achieve IFBB pro muscular size.
While steroids in moderate to fairly large doses tend not to affect day to day activity, once you reach the threshold of what some may dub "mega-dosing," functionality on a daily basis becomes somewhat compromised.
The following is a typical high level IFBB pro's various drugs use to combat the negative side effects of the muscle building chemicals.
1. xanax/klonopin/various generic benzodiazepines - everyone in the pro circuit takes large doses of benzos numerous times a day. High doses of certain drugs like trenbolone and equipoise cause panic attacks and general anxiety. Its pretty hard to be friendly and appear well adjusted at a gigantic bodybuilding expo, people constantly touching you, asking you idiotic questions, forcing you to take photos in ridiculous poses all day long.
2. ambien/trazadone/various generic prescribed sleeping pills - it is almost impossible to fall asleep on the amount of anabolics that is required to achieve necessary muscular size to compete at the top level. Sure, GH makes you very sleepy but unfortunately it becomes very very hard to actually fall asleep without the sleeping pills.
3. GHB - Used both in combination with sleeping pills to help fall asleep and maintain a deep level of REM sleep through the night and also as a party drug as an alternative to alcohol since it does not have a direct negative impact on protein synthesis. GHB, though, is becoming a major cause of health problems in current bodybuilders because nowadays must GHB is synthesized from GBL, which is used in paint thinner.
4. Amphetamines - Taking 20-40iu's of GH everyday makes you a zombie. You will always feel like you are about to keel over and fall asleep and the smallest things require an extreme amount of effort to do because you are so tired. Amphetamines (usually prescription dextroamphetamine pills) used throughout the day, especially during expos or guest posing events, are extremely helpful. This also, unfortunately, compounds the insomnia issue which then in turn leads to larger doses of sleep inducing drugs.
5. Soma or various generic spasmolytics - Mineral imbalances induced by large doses of oral steroids, diuretics or vitamin deficiencies due to diet as well as chronic injuries often lead to intense muscle pain and cramping. Regular usage of muscle relaxant drugs usually allow painless training and functioning.
6. Opiate painkillers - Chronic pain as well as the mental side effects induced by large doses of the muscle building drugs often lead to self-medication with opiates. Nubain used to be the most popular, especially during contest prep, but most people graduate from the "bain" and move onto roxicodone/hydrocodone/etc and eventually morphine or dilaudid. I remember talking to one guy in specific who was very big on the opiates and would inject them IV numerous times throughout the day to function. He told me something to the extent of "I'm already sticking needles in my body 10 or more times per day, what does another few injections matter?"
7. Ketamine - most popular as a party drug but very big during contest prep. Do the drug dosages - and types of drugs - a lot of guys find they need a mental escape during contest prep and falling into a "k hole" often does the trick.
8. Marijuana - Most top pros do not have a job so it is not a problem to smoke marijuana prior to almost every meal for obvious reasons, appetite stimulation and mild sedation.