The number of people receiving treatment for steroid abuse has risen dramatically, a new report shows.

The study from drug treatment service Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) says that users of the drugs are at risk from physical, psychological and behavioural impacts.

The report highlights what the service calls the “relatively new phenomenon” of users of performance and image enhancing drugs (PIEDs) presenting at Irish drug treatment services.

The focus of the report is on exploring this emerging trend and examining ways in which to address the associated risk.

The report worked with a sample of 89 individuals who were using PIEDs and were attending Merchants Quay Ireland’s Dublin-based needle exchange programme.