Roofied 7+ Signs of Drink Spiking and How to Recover

Going to a hospital can help ensure a person gets proper care and monitoring to make sure they are safe. A date rape panel drug test can test for substances like GHB, ketamine, and different benzodiazepines like Rohypnol. It does this by increasing the effects of a chemical called GABA, which makes you feel very relaxed and sleepy. Rohypnol, or flunitrazepam, has powerful effects on the brain, including slowing down brain activity. It also slows breathing, which can be dangerous or even fatal, especially if combined with alcohol or other sedatives. Once taken, roofie drugs can cause effects that put someone in danger very quickly.

Sometimes roofie attacks can happen for other types of crime, like robbery or assault. A roofie is a central nervous system depressant that, much like the prescription medicine Valium (diazepam), slows down the brain and relaxes the body. The important difference is that a roofie is much stronger than Valium. One small tablet of Rohypnol can cause a person to pass out and forget what happened to them while under the influence.

Once you’re in the care of first responders, they’ll take over this process. Being roofied is a serious and frightening experience that can have immediate and long-lasting effects on both the body and mind. Understanding the symptoms, knowing how to react, and taking preventative measures are crucial steps in protecting yourself and others. Specialized treatment centers offer comprehensive care for survivors of sexual assault, including medical treatment, counseling, and support services.

How Long Does a Roofie Stay In Your System?

• If you have been the victim of rape or sexual assault, then speak to someone today.
• However, it’s more common for victims to experience psychological issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
• When mixed with alcohol, the effects of these drugs are significantly enhanced, increasing the risk of respiratory problems, unconsciousness, and overdose.

However, your memories before taking the drug aren’t affected. These substances are sometimes used to incapacitate a victim, making them vulnerable to sexual assault. One way to tell between the two is that someone who is roofied may appear to be extremely drunk only after one or two drinks. Some people who don’t drink often may become drunk faster than others, but typically not to the point where they become unconscious.

• While women are more commonly targeted in drug-facilitated crimes, men can be roofied for sexual assault, robbery, or other forms of harm.
• One way to prevent being roofied is by keeping your drink with you at all times when you are out and not accepting drinks from strangers.
• Have you ever felt completely disoriented or found yourself in a situation that doesn’t add up?
• Sometimes, a person who has been roofied may be extremely drunk.
• Roofies are especially dangerous because they are often undetectable—they are colorless, tasteless, and odorless.
• We have a firm belief that it is possible for YOU to achieve and sustain long-term recovery.

How to Know if You Were Roofied: Spotting the Signs and Seeking Help

Roofies can also cause a person to become incapacitated, which can put them in very dangerous situations. Benzos and other drugs can be extremely dangerous, especially when mixed with other substances or given to someone when they are unaware of it. Its effects, like sedation and memory loss, usually last 6 to 12 hours.

Recognizing Coping Patterns in Partners of Alcoholics

Try not to urinate, bathe, shower, douche, wash your hands, brush your hair, change clothes, or have anything to eat or drink. Some studies suggest that around 30% of sexual assault victims think they were drugged, either by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. Sometimes, people who engage in excessive binge drinking may “blackout” and not remember certain things that happened throughout the night the next day. Noticing roofied symptoms right away can save lives and help protect against sexual assault and other drug-related crimes. Unfortunately, roofies are commonly used to make victims weaker to sexual assault. Rohypnols, also known as “roofies,” are powerful sedatives that belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.

What Does a Roofied Drink Look Like?

Without consent, the activity is illegal, whether you drank alcohol, took drugs, or both. Roofie specifically refers Rohypnol, which is sometimes called the original date rape drug. Drugs like Rohypnol, GHB, and ketamine are the most commonly used date-rape drugs, but it’s hard to know exactly how commonly they are used because many cases go unreported. They might feel extremely ill and have a hard time remembering what happened to them. The drug most commonly used in roofies, Rohypnol, is illegal in the United States and is classified as a Schedule IV substance under the Controlled Substances Act.

Roofied Symptoms

Think about it—wouldn’t it be great to spread awareness about this topic? Additionally, unexplained physical injuries such as bruises can be a sign. If you wake up with marks on your body that you can’t explain, it’s essential to consider your experience closely. This sensation isn’t just about the physical realm, but your mental wellbeing too! The emotional toll can be profound, affecting you even long after.

The prevalence of being roofied is alarmingly high, making it crucial to understand the dangers and be aware of the signs. Knowing how to recognize and respond to the symptoms can help protect you and others from harm. Open or unattended drinks at bars, clubs, festivals, or house parties are at a higher risk.

The culture of silence around date rape drugs, Dr. Albers explains, makes this kind of crime easier to pull off. Instead, try to stay in a public place while you wait for the ambulance to arrive. If you’re with friends, alert them so they can keep an eye on you and intervene if necessary. Nobody goes out for a night on the town expecting to be drugged. If you or a loved one needs treatment or signs you were roofied support to overcome substance use disorder, find the help you need at First Step Behavioral Health. Contact our specialists now to learn about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.

If you have been the victim of rape or sexual assault, then speak to someone today. If you see someone you don’t know but suspect may have been roofied, then notify security or a member of the bar staff. If you are worried for their safety or feel they are being coerced or manipulated against their will, then notify authorities or interject if safe to do so. Regardless of why roofies are used on others, any instance of someone using the drug on another person is a criminal offense.

These drugs are odorless, tasteless, and colorless — making them virtually undetectable in beverages. Their primary effects are sedation, memory loss, confusion, dizziness, and loss of control — often within 15 to 30 minutes of ingestion. The powerful sedative effects can slow your breathing and heart rate to dangerous levels, which may lead to fatal respiratory depression.

How Long Does GHB Last?

It is important to reach out for help immediately if you suspect that you have been a victim of such an attack. Keeping a journal of your experience, symptoms, and feelings can provide clarity and help professionals understand your situation better. This information can also be valuable if you decide to report the incident later on. You’ve got the right to your feelings and the steps you take to care for yourself.

The mental and physical health consequences of being roofied can be serious. By taking the above preventative measures and knowing the signs, you can better protect yourself. If you’re struggling to recover from the trauma, FHE Health may be able to help. Reach out to us anytime to receive compassionate mental health care.