Maybe Joe was a bad example, perhaps I should have used Rich Pianna, or the guy (whose name I forget) who can't even walk without crutches.
There is no such thing as safe usage by the way, that is a myth that I think if Joe were alive today, he'd help dispel.
Here's a list of 28 bodybuilders who passed away between 2017 and 2020, I'm sure they all felt they were being safe.
Remembering 28 Bodybuilders Who Passed Away (2017-2020) – Fitness Volt
Remembering bodybuilders who passed away (2017-2020). A list of men and women who were involved in bodybuilding/fitness who died due to a variety of causes.fitnessvolt.com
There is a massive spectrum of anabolic dosages and polypharmacy.
For example with Rich, he was on opiates and amphetamines as well as ridiculous compounds and dosages.
The other example I believe you are referring to is Ronnie Coleman (8 Mr Olympias and decades of drug abuse and destroying his body with training).
As an alternate example, take a look at Jay Cutler, same era, same drug abuse, but did it smart and looked after his body, totally different outcomes.
RE: safe use
A 50-year-old guy taking 150mg/wk TRT will often be 'healthier' than his natural counterpart with 300ng/dl test levels.
Guys on stage, or even at your local gym can use 1000-5000mg/wk of anabolics (the health risk is exponential but the gains are not). These guys are making a terrible tradeoff imo.
Then you have the lower middle ground of 150-250mg/wk, using bioidentical hormones, not much is going to go wrong but mainstream lumps this group in with anabolic abuse.
Drinking semi-regularly would put you at a larger health risk...
It's a completely different ballgame all along the spectrum of dose and drugs but the warnings get lumped into one.
All in all its a complex topic, ha. It ranges from little to no risk to extreme risk depending on compounds and dosages.
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