People addicted to certain other drugs, such as cocaine, ecstasy, or amphetamines, sometimes turn to Rohypnol to relieve symptoms of withdrawal such as irritability and agitation. Rohypnol is an olive green oblong tablet produced by the pharmaceutical manufacturer Hoffman-La Roche. It works by dramatically slowing the function of the central nervous system. It is more potent than drugs like Valium (diazepam) or Xanax (alprazolam). Roofies can be abused as recreational or “club” drugs, much like ketamine, ecstasy (MDMA), or gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB).
While simple possession of roofies by drug abusers is illegal, an intent to distribute charge is a felony. While roofies are still considered one of the three most common date rape drugs, according to many sources, including Womenshealth.gov, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services-run national health information portal for women, they are also used in conjunction with other recreational drugs, like heroin, to enhance effects. They are also used to control the side effects of stimulant drugs like cocaine, according to DEA, and are addictive. Finally, you should seriously consider talking to a counselor or therapist.
This might help someone spot whether their drink has been tampered with. GHB is made as both a white powder and a colorless, odorless liquid. These substances are particularly dangerous when combined with alcohol, increasing the risk symptoms of ruffy of overdose, unconsciousness, and assault. These substances are sometimes used to incapacitate a victim, making them vulnerable to sexual assault.
You can take your freedom back by responding on your terms, on your timeline and in your way. Whatever you choose to do is the right thing — and it’s OK for that “right thing” to change over time. Just remember that there are a lot of other people out there who’ve been through the same thing and are happy to help. You have the right to decide what substances you put in your body. And you have the right to choose who — if anyone — you have sexual contact with and under what circumstances.
If somebody sexually assaulted you or you sustained an injury while sedated, you may have other medical issues, too. Having your drink spiked without your knowledge or consent is commonly called “being roofied.” And it can make sexual violence more likely. Create a buddy system to prevent one person from getting separated from the group and, if necessary, take your drink to the bathroom with you. If you are experiencing symptoms of being roofied and suspect someone has slipped you an illicit drug, call 911 immediately. Don’t drive, and don’t leave the area you’re at unless you’re in danger. Try to stay around as many people as possible until help arrives, and drink as much water as you can to help flush the drug from your system.
Screening Cut-Off and Detection Time
It’s not uncommon for those who’ve been slipped drugs to never really know what actually happened to them. You’ll usually experience the strongest symptoms during the first 6 hours after ingesting the drug, but it takes up to 12 hours for the major effects to completely wear off for most people. Because one of the symptoms is amnesia, you may not remember taking the drug or anything that happened for up to 12 hours after that. This can make it difficult for people who’ve been given roofies without their knowledge to identify who gave it to them.
Most people who take the drug have no memory of what happened while under its influence. Outside of the United States, due to its quick-acting effects, Rohypnol is sometimes prescribed as a short-term treatment for insomnia. It may be given to help relax someone prior to receiving anesthesia. Flunitrazepam — known as Roofies, Mind Eraser or Poor Man’s Quaalude — is a depressant sold (as Rohypnol) overseas for treatment of insomnia.
What Is a Roofie?
Trying to ignore the experience or pretend it didn’t happen can make the symptoms much worse and last longer. The mental and emotional fallout from being attacked can last for years after the event, especially if it is not addressed with the help of a professional. If you think you or a friend has been spiked, it is important to call the police or go to the hospital. For example, GHB may be detected for up to 10 hours after ingestion, while Rohypnol may be detected for up to 60 hours after being ingested. Rohypnol also makes it harder to think clearly or make decisions, which can put users in dangerous situations.
Screening cut-off levels are established where drug detection is optimized with the least probability for false positives. It is important to remember that a negative sample does not necessarily mean that it is drug-free, only that it contains a drug at a concentration that is below the established cut-off. Rohypnol is often smuggled into the U.S from other countries, such as Mexico. Rohypnol can be taken by mouth as a whole tablet, it can be crushed and snorted up the nose, or dissolved in a liquid prior to drinking. Yes, Rohypnol is illegal in the United States and many other countries. It is classified as a Schedule IV substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Rohypnol Brand Names
Feelings of euphoria are also common in the initial stages, particularly among those who are also consuming alcohol. Research gleaned from three large universities suggests that as many as one in 13 college students has been slipped drugs without their knowledge or consent. Seventy-nine percent of those who reported being drugged were women, and women were more likely to experience sexual assault after being drugged. Since then, the concept of roofieing has come to refer to several drugs used for this same purpose.
- Apart from the side effects of being roofied, some aftereffects are gaps in memory, lethargy, drowsiness, confusion, nausea, sensitivity to light, headache, body pain, and more.
- Some formulations of the drug come as a green pill with a core that releases blue dye if someone puts it in your drink; however, generic roofies don’t include this safety feature.
- “Roofied” has come to mean being drugged against one’s will with any drug, including ketamine and GHB.
- It is important to remember that a negative sample does not necessarily mean that it is drug-free, only that it contains a drug at a concentration that is below the established cut-off.
- Roofies can be abused as recreational or “club” drugs, much like ketamine, ecstasy (MDMA), or gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB).
Rohypnol is called the “date rape drug” because it can be put in someone’s drink and make it easier for sexual assault to occur. This type of drink spiking can be difficult to detect because the initial symptoms may mimic drunkenness. In addition to sedation, the effects of the drug include amnesia, muscle relaxation and lowered inhibitions. The person eventually becomes fully incapacitated and often lies down, unable to respond or take action. Some formulations of the drug come as a green pill with a core that releases blue dye if someone puts it in your drink; however, generic roofies don’t include this safety feature.
Medical/Therapeutic Uses for Rohypnol
They may also crush and dissolve the pills or tablets in a strong-flavored alcoholic drink. People who become addicted to Rohypnol will experience these withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to stop taking the drug. Some symptoms can prove fatal, so it’s advisable to quit taking the drug under a doctor’s supervision.
However, when dissolved in darker-colored liquids, the blue dye may not be noticeable. It is important to note that possession of Rohypnol may result in significant legal consequences, including fines, jail time, and probation. Additionally, those who use Rohypnol can face serious health risks such as overdose and death.
- It’s also common to have symptoms similar to a really bad hangover.
- A roofie attack is when a perpetrator spikes a drink of an intended victim in order to take advantage of them.
- Another indicator that someone has been roofied is if they have been talking to strangers shortly before effects present themselves, especially if said strangers have bought them drinks.
- This means that it has a high potential for abuse and can lead to physical or psychological dependence.
- If you believe you or a friend has been drugged, seek medical attention or call 911 immediately.
Lower doses cause sedation and relaxation and higher doses promote sleep. While Rohypnol is in the same class as Valium, it is 10x more potent and was never approved to be sold or used in the United States. They are smuggled into the U.S. packaged (disguised) as OTC cold medicine or contraceptive pills in 1mg or 2mg flunitrazepam concentrations. Rohypnol may also be used with other drugs of abuse, such as alcohol or cocaine for various effects. Rohypnol can increase the intoxication of alcohol, or may be used to lower the irritability and anxiety linked with excessive cocaine use (binging). There are several other date rape drugs that the perpetrators use to commit crimes.
Even according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, not much is known about its lasting effects apart from the tolerance and addiction caused by prolonged use of Rohypnol. Like any other narcotic substance, roofies, too, have a dangerous impact on the development of tolerance. Date rape drugs, sometimes called “roofies,” can cause a range of symptoms. When consumed in large doses or combined with alcohol, they may cause someone to lose consciousness. Because of the powerful effects of these drugs, many people don’t realize they’ve been roofied until the next day.