In high doses, a person can become unconscious and may not remember what happened to them. Instead, try to stay in a public place while you signs you ve been roofied 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. Today, there are blue-colored tablets formulated to be visible in a drink, as well as the colorless Rohypnol tablets.

How Long Do Side Effects of Being Roofied Last?

They may suddenly feel more amorous and sexual and respond emotionally to others in ways that are not characteristic of them. It is also important not to wash yourself or any clothing from the night before to avoid damaging potential evidence. Also, try to speak to friends who may have been with you at the time to see if they can confirm any details. Regardless of why roofies are used on others, any instance of someone using the drug on another person is a criminal offense.

Health Categories to Explore

As roofies cause gaps in memory, it is often difficult to recognize if you have been a victim the following day. The sedative effects of Rohypnol are up to 10 times stronger than Valium. This means the onset of effects on the body can appear within 20 minutes of being ingested and can last for over six hours. Some of the residual effects, such as memory loss and confusion, can last 12 hours or more after administration. To be “roofied” or “getting roofied” refers to an instance (often involving sexual assault or rape) where the victim has been given Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) without their knowledge. Let us continue to spread awareness about this issue and educate others about the risks involved.

What to Do if You Think You’ve Been Roofied

If you have been sexually assaulted, it is also important to seek medical help so you can get care and also take exams if you do want to report the assault. Getting roofied is far more common than many people think, however it is difficult to know exactly how many victims there are since amnesia is often an effect of roofy drugs. 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. They are best known for their use in drug-facilitated sexual assaults.

These centers can help address both physical and psychological needs. This can be done through therapy, support groups, and other mental health treatments. Rohypnol became known as “roofies” or “the date rape drug” because sexual predators used it to spike people’s drinks, incapacitating them so they couldn’t fight back. Rohypnol is no longer the most popular drug being used for this purpose, but the term stuck. Today, someone who says they were “roofied” could have had their drink contaminated with any number of substances. While these symptoms closely resemble the effects of a hangover from alcohol, many victims do not identify that they have been raped.

Assailants use them to incapacitate their victims and ensure they can’t make accurate police reports after the assault. The only sure way to tell if you have been roofied is by seeking medical help and getting tested for any drugs in your system. 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.

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. Read here to find out more about how long drugs and alcohol stay in your system. Traces of Rohypnol leave the body very quickly, making it difficult to be detected in most standard drug tests. Urine samples need to be collected in just 72 hours and saliva and drug tests are normally ineffective in under 24 hours.

Preserve Evidence

It is also a term to refer to substances that are slipped into people’s drinks without them knowing. With any luck, this practice will expand to include more of the substances commonly used to spike drinks. It might be unpleasant — especially if you’re nauseated — but it’s crucial to drink lots of water if you’ve been roofied. The more you drink, the faster you’ll be able to dilute and flush the drug from your system. Once you’re in the care of first responders, they’ll take over this process.

If interaction with first responders is required, describe what you know they have consumed and accurately estimate your friend’s alcohol consumption. Find a brighter tomorrow by starting with our compassionate team of medical professionals and recovery specialists today. For the first time, we’re offering an ad-free experience to qualifying contributors who support our fearless journalism.

If this experience has led to substance misuse or emotional distress, Greater Boston Addiction Centers is here to help. Our comprehensive services, including Addiction Treatment Programs and Addiction Therapy Programs, are designed to support you every step of the way. If you suspect you’ve been roofied, prioritize your safety by seeking immediate medical attention and contacting local authorities.

• Stay alert in social settings, especially in crowded places or unfamiliar environments.
• A roofie is a central nervous system depressant that, much like the prescription medicine Valium (diazepam), slows down the brain and relaxes the body.
• Many states also have their own sexual assault hotlines and support services.

Mental Health Recovery: Overcoming Prescription Drug Addiction

It is important to remember that you are not alone, and there are resources available to support you throughout this process. The date-rape drug you’ve likely heard about most is Rohypnol, which the ’90s slang “roofie” is a remnant of. Being roofied is a deeply traumatic experience, but recovery is possible with the right support.

If you think you may have been roofied, it is best to get medical attention as soon as you can to make sure you are okay and to get tests as soon as possible. You may feel embarrassed that you let yourself get into that situation, or that you should brush off the experience since you do not have a firm memory of what happened. However, it is crucial that you advocate for yourself and reach out for help.

These symptoms often appear suddenly and may not match the amount of alcohol consumed. 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. Repeated exposure or self-medication with drugs and alcohol necessitates professional addiction treatment and detoxification to manage withdrawal symptoms and begin recovery. This can significantly disrupt daily life, causing victims to withdraw from social interactions and feel uncomfortable in social settings. If you suspect someone has been roofied or given a date rape drug, there are a few critical steps you can take to ensure their safety and well-being.

Never let someone who has been roofied leave on their own or with a stranger. Dizziness, confusion, or disorientation Directly after being roofied, you might get confused about where you are or who you’re with. Being roofied can also make you feel dizzy, which can make it hard to walk straight. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) reports that every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. In a study of college students, more than 1 in 13 reported being drugged.

• At the hospital, tell the staff directly that you believe you have been roofied and/or sexually assaulted.
• When mixed with alcohol, their effects are amplified, increasing the risk of respiratory depression, unconsciousness, and even overdose.
• It’s important to note that these physical symptoms can also result from other factors, so it’s crucial to consider the context and any other accompanying signs.
• Unfortunately, being roofied often goes hand in hand with sexual assault.
• These symptoms are similar to those you’d feel if you drank too much.

The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care. If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual assault or rape and need guidance and support, it is important to speak to a rape crisis team in your area. They will be able to offer counseling, arrange health screenings, and advise about pursuing criminal charges against attackers. While it is never the victim’s fault for being exposed to roofies, some steps can be taken to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.