Signs of Being Roofied

Content warning: This article discusses sexual assault.

As a benzodiazepine, Rohypnol (or "roofie") is a prescription drug sedative and hypnotic that has become widely used in recent decades. Rohypnol is the brand name of the benzo flunitrazepam. Abuse of this substance can lead to various dangerous effects, including amnesia, drowsiness, and lowered inhibitions, which leave one vulnerable to sexual assault and other crimes.

Roofies are commonly used as a date-rape drug since they can be easily concealed in a drink and render the victim incapable of resisting unwanted advances or remembering the events that transpired. This is a significant cause for concern from a public health perspective because sexual assault can be devastating.

Due to the sudden increase in cases, many people started taking care of their drinks and are far more careful and alert in bars and pubs. If we look at the sexual violence statistics in the United States of America, there are as many as 463,634 people aged 12 or above being victims of rape and assault every year.

According to a research article published in Sage Journals, around 11 million American women are raped while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The types of drugs used in spiking someone's drink and altering their consciousness and state of mind have become known as date rape drugs. The slang term for ingesting a drink that has been spiked with a date rape drug is known as “getting roofied” from the name Rohypnol. Disorientation and dissociation are the strongest symptoms and signs of being roofied.

Apart from sexual violence, roofies have other negative effects on a person’s psychological state, especially when they’re abused. A high dosage of roofies can easily cause memory loss problems. Similarly, benzos mixed with alcohol can cause blackouts.

Similarly, if we talk about addiction caused by roofies, there are several long-term consequences of benzo addiction, including mental health-related problems. Addiction to benzos can make undiagnosed mental health problems worse. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and personality disorders are some of the significant long-term effects of roofies. At the same time, the short-term physiological effects include irritability, confusion, and irritability.

Similarly, people already suffering from such issues are more likely to develop drug abuse problems. The lack of knowledge and general ignorance around the topics can have disastrous consequences. So, it becomes necessary for everyone to be knowledgeable enough to understand topics such as the meaning of roofied, how to know if you were roofied & some common signs of being roofied, and lastly, how to recover from it. 

“Getting Roofied”: What are the Effects of Rohypnol?

You have likely heard the term "getting roofied". The slang term “roofied” comes from the brand name of flunitrazepam, Rohypnol. Flunitrazepam is a prescription benzodiazepine that is used to treat severe insomnia. Basically, roofies or Rohypnol are sleeping pills. Back in the 1970s, this drug was popularly known as roofies and later became infamous as a date rape drug. In terms of legality in the United States of America, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved the drug, and roofies, aka Rohypnol, are illegal.

Regarding its effect on the central nervous system, roofies activate the inhibitory neurotransmitter known as GABA or gamma-aminobutyric acid. As a result, roofies slow down nerve activity and generate the feeling of drowsiness, relaxation in the muscles, reduced level of anxiety & consciousness, and even loss of memory.  

Roofies are generally found in the form of green tablets for ingestion. Due to its tablet form, it can be crushed and snorted. Criminals use roofies because they lack any color, odor, or taste and can be easily crushed and dissolved in drinks -- roofies can be quickly spiked in the drinks of unsuspecting victims. Although colorless, roofies make a drink look blue when mixed with light-colored drinks. So, they can be identified in such conditions.

If we talk about the addiction caused by roofies, then they are quite addictive and dangerous. It is almost impossible to quit them once the body starts physically dependent on them. Immediate medical action has to be taken in such cases. 

Date Rape Drugs: Drugs to Be Cautious Of

There are several other date rape drugs that the perpetrators use to commit crimes. The other popular drugging substance includes synthetic drugs such as ketamine and GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), and more. All these substances have a similar nature of working as a depressant but with little differences. So let's dive into each of them. 

• Rohypnol: Popularly known by names such as roofies, La Rocha, and forget pills, Rohypnol is a benzodiazepine easily dissolvable in drinks. Illegal in the United States of America, these drugs are tasteless, colorless, and odorless, but the new version so the roofies have an identifiable trace to them. In addition, the new roofies have a bluish center that leaves this color in light-colored drinks. Unfortunately, there are dangerous side effects of Rohypnol if taken with alcohol. This can produce feelings of memory loss, drowsiness, and lethargy. That is the reason why many victims have a hard time recounting the incidents that have happened after drinking the Rohypnol-spiked drinks. 

• Ketamine: Popularly goes by the nicknames Vitamin K, Kit Kat, Cat Valium, etc. Ketamine is an anesthetic medication that can produce loss of consciousness and hallucinogenic effects. It has several physical forms and can be found as both liquid and powder. Like Rohypnol, it can be easily dissolvable in drinks, but unlike the above substance, ketamine is not tasteless. Ketamine has a severely bitter taste and produces a feeling of dissociation from reality and amnesia. If given in a higher dose, it can make a person immobile or render them unconscious. 

• GHB or Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid: Popularly known as Goop, G, and Liquid X, GHB is a CNS depressant. It is generally used as a prescription medication like Xyrem, which is used to treat sleep-associated disorders like narcolepsy. But like other types of drug substances, GHB can also be found in dissolvable liquid and powder form. Similar to ketamine, GHB too has a taste. It has saltiness, but strong-tasting drinks can easily cover that. GHB produces feelings of confusion, drowsiness, and amnesia; if taken in a higher amount, GHB can sedate a person. 

What Are Some Common Signs and Symptoms of Being Roofied?

One of the most frequently asked questions is what the symptoms are of being roofied. A person who has been roofied shows signs and symptoms of being extremely drunk. This is why it can be challenging to identify an intoxicated person from one whose drink has been spiked with drugs. When taken with cannabis or similarly related products, the symptoms are very alcohol-like.

Like many other drugs, the first sign of being roofied would be the feeling of getting high or euphoria. This is especially possible if you are taking the substance with alcohol. Sensations include feeling brain fog and a lot of disorientation. Some may feel a disconnect from reality after drinking a lot of alcohol. You will have difficulty holding a single train of thought and might get confused while conversing. 

A person may also feel nausea and vomiting. Roofing will also produce muscle incoordination and even paralysis.  Also, one of the biggest signs of roofing is the feeling of being lost and losing memory. The drugs are so powerful that you may not even realize or remember being roofied. 

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.

How Can I Avoid Being Roofied?

Sexual assault is NEVER your fault.

Drug-induced sexual assault is a vile, terrifying crime. It’s extremely unpleasant to even think about. However, there are some relatively simple things anyone can do to minimize their chances of being roofied.

If you think you’ve been roofied, consider speaking to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network’s (RAINN) National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Being Roofied?

The long-term effects of sexual assault are sadly well-documented. However, there’s very little information on the long-term chemical effects of being roofied. Being roofied is an involuntary form of drug use and is a vastly different act from recreationally using a drug. 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.

Tolerance is a condition that develops when a person consumes any substance for a long time leading to physical dependence on it. Due to this, the body gets acclimated to the drug doses and demands more every time. In short, the feeling of euphoria will only be felt on the higher dose of the drug as the body has developed the tolerance of the lower doses and cannot get high from it.

Similarly, drug addiction is another long-term effect on the roofie user. Benzos are very addictive drugs, and benzo addiction can be complex to treat. The withdrawal effects of benzos can be intense when a person tries to withdraw from it. 

But that does not mean there are no long-term health effects of using roofies. For example, if mixed with other drugs and intoxicating substances like GHB, heroin, marihuana, and alcohol, roofies can cause irregular breathing and heart rate, loss of consciousness, brain damage, coma, and even death.  

How To Recover from Being Roofied

We’ll say it again: Being sexually assaulted is NOT your fault.

Recovery from sexual assault is very difficult. It is a terrifying, deeply personal form of assault. Trauma is an awful thing to experience, and trauma often drives substance abuse.

The first step if you think you’ve been roofied is seeking immediate medical care. If you have any doubt regarding sexual assault, seeking medical help becomes even more critical. Second, if you’re able to, inform your family members and friends. The support of trusted individuals provides a lot of help. 

Finally, you should seriously consider talking to a counselor or therapist. Being treated for trauma can help you deal with the incident. If you’re also seeking treatment for substance abuse, consider a drug rehab that takes a trauma-informed philosophy toward care. This philosophy recognizes the long-lasting effects of trauma and helps build a safe, accepting, and respectful space for people dealing with intense trauma.

Recreational use of roofies and other benzos is a slightly different matter. Being drugged is a far different (and far worse) experience than recreational drug use. Among various long-term and short-term effects, drug addiction caused by roofies may also lead to several mental health issues. Due to their strength, benzos come with a high risk of overdose which can have fatal consequences. Even without benzo addiction, a person also dealing with co-occurring mental health problems (known as a dual diagnosis) has a high risk of addiction, and with the combination of both, there should be no delays in seeking dual diagnosis treatment.

A serious note to all individuals suffering from addiction: Don’t try to self-medicate or take online home remedies. Home detox kits and other do-it-yourself methods are ineffective at best and dangerous at worst.

So, the best way to deal with addiction is to seek help from drug rehab. Professional drug rehabs are medical institutions operated by highly qualified addiction specialists and a team of experienced yet compassionate and supportive staff.

There are various kinds of treatment settings and care available for roofie abuse and other forms of benzo addiction. Individualized care and suitability are the biggest signs of a good rehab center. Those rehabs that provide their patients with individualized care would be able to give them a solid foundation toward the long path of recovery. 

Receive Trauma-Informed Care for Dual Diagnosis, Benzo Addiction, and More at The Edge Treatment Center

Being roofied is a horrific crime with lifetime effects. If you’ve been a victim of sexual assault, you’ll need help recovering from it. The Edge Treatment Center recognizes the strong role trauma plays in addiction. If you’re struggling with trauma, a dual diagnosis and/or benzo addiction, we provide effective, evidence-based treatment. Making use of groundbreaking techniques such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), The Edge Treatment Center will help you deal with your past trauma and develop a life free from substance abuse.

If you want to have a confidential talk about trauma and drug addiction, contact The Edge Treatment Center today.