A former bodybuilder who once spent more than $46,483.50 (£35,000) on steroids is warning others about the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs after his obsession left him in a coma, fighting for his life.
Zak Wilkinson, 32, a rope access scaffolder from Middlesbrough, became fixated on transforming his body after seeing early gains from steroid use. But what began as a quest for fitness quickly spiraled into body dysmorphia, an eating disorder, and ultimately a life-threatening medical emergency.
Wilkinson’s obsession began after he left school at 16. Drawn to the culture of extreme fitness and sculpted physiques, he turned to steroids for rapid muscle gain. "It started as a hobby, and then it became body dysmorphia – I could barely look in the mirror, and I would put jumpers and hoodies on to avoid showing my body," Wilkinson said.
His dependency deepened over time. He explained that these drugs were easily available and he was obsessed to a point where he would weigh everything, “even down to the sugar-free syrups in my coffees”. He recalls adopting an extreme six-meal-a-day diet made up solely of chicken, rice, broccoli, egg whites, and steak.
He spent at least 45 minutes on cardio every day, and at his peak, was injecting himself up to three times daily with steroids such as Anavar, Masteron, and Equipoise.
From January 2023 to March 2025, Wilkinson estimates he spent $996.07 (£750) per month on steroids and fat-burning supplements, totaling nearly $26,562 (£20,000) in just two years. This was on top of an estimated $21,249.60 (£16,000) spent between June 2009 and December 2022.
His regimen also included T3 and T4 fat strippers, Proviron (testosterone replacement), Clenbuterol, and various other drugs for muscle growth and fat loss.
On March 23, 2025, Wilkinson’s body gave out. He began vomiting, seizing, and sweating uncontrollably. His sister, Chelsea Wilkinson, 37, quickly put him in the recovery position and called an ambulance.
Initial suspicions pointed to meningitis, but doctors soon linked his symptoms to steroid and fat loss drug abuse. He was diagnosed with “likely provoked seizures in context of multiple drugs” and placed in a medically-induced coma for seven days.
His family was told to prepare for the worst. "After the coma had ended, one doctor said that he couldn’t believe I was speaking with him because he thought I’d have brain complications for the rest of my life.”
Post-recovery, Wilkinson faced a long and painful road to regaining his physical abilities. Wilkinson attends two therapy sessions per week with a home treatment care team. He’s on medication for anxiety, sleep, and seizures, and undergoes frequent brain scans and blood tests.
Now off steroids for good, Wilkinson wants to raise awareness about the dangers of the bodybuilding lifestyle and the lack of support for those struggling with performance-enhancing drug addiction.
“There’s a real taboo around men and steroid use – there’s AA for alcoholics, GA for gamblers, but not really a lot on steroid use and the gym,” he said. “I want to show people who are struggling what I’ve been through, that these muscles are not worth the comas, seizures, constant brain scans, tubes out your mouth, possibly losing a member of your family – all because you want to look good and compare yourself on social media.”
Zak Wilkinson, 32, a rope access scaffolder from Middlesbrough, became fixated on transforming his body after seeing early gains from steroid use. But what began as a quest for fitness quickly spiraled into body dysmorphia, an eating disorder, and ultimately a life-threatening medical emergency.
Wilkinson’s obsession began after he left school at 16. Drawn to the culture of extreme fitness and sculpted physiques, he turned to steroids for rapid muscle gain. "It started as a hobby, and then it became body dysmorphia – I could barely look in the mirror, and I would put jumpers and hoodies on to avoid showing my body," Wilkinson said.
His dependency deepened over time. He explained that these drugs were easily available and he was obsessed to a point where he would weigh everything, “even down to the sugar-free syrups in my coffees”. He recalls adopting an extreme six-meal-a-day diet made up solely of chicken, rice, broccoli, egg whites, and steak.
He spent at least 45 minutes on cardio every day, and at his peak, was injecting himself up to three times daily with steroids such as Anavar, Masteron, and Equipoise.
From January 2023 to March 2025, Wilkinson estimates he spent $996.07 (£750) per month on steroids and fat-burning supplements, totaling nearly $26,562 (£20,000) in just two years. This was on top of an estimated $21,249.60 (£16,000) spent between June 2009 and December 2022.
His regimen also included T3 and T4 fat strippers, Proviron (testosterone replacement), Clenbuterol, and various other drugs for muscle growth and fat loss.
On March 23, 2025, Wilkinson’s body gave out. He began vomiting, seizing, and sweating uncontrollably. His sister, Chelsea Wilkinson, 37, quickly put him in the recovery position and called an ambulance.
Initial suspicions pointed to meningitis, but doctors soon linked his symptoms to steroid and fat loss drug abuse. He was diagnosed with “likely provoked seizures in context of multiple drugs” and placed in a medically-induced coma for seven days.
His family was told to prepare for the worst. "After the coma had ended, one doctor said that he couldn’t believe I was speaking with him because he thought I’d have brain complications for the rest of my life.”
Post-recovery, Wilkinson faced a long and painful road to regaining his physical abilities. Wilkinson attends two therapy sessions per week with a home treatment care team. He’s on medication for anxiety, sleep, and seizures, and undergoes frequent brain scans and blood tests.
Now off steroids for good, Wilkinson wants to raise awareness about the dangers of the bodybuilding lifestyle and the lack of support for those struggling with performance-enhancing drug addiction.
“There’s a real taboo around men and steroid use – there’s AA for alcoholics, GA for gamblers, but not really a lot on steroid use and the gym,” he said. “I want to show people who are struggling what I’ve been through, that these muscles are not worth the comas, seizures, constant brain scans, tubes out your mouth, possibly losing a member of your family – all because you want to look good and compare yourself on social media.”
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