Flunitrazepam — also known as Rohypnol and its street name “roofies” — is a benzodiazepine compound of the triazolobenzodiazepine class — a subgroup known for its exceptionally high potency. Being drugged is never the victim's fault, despite our tendency for such a gut reaction. If you see someone who is showing the signs of being drugged, always help - you'd want them to do the same for you. Frequently, tremor national institute of neurological disorders and stroke these drugs can result in someone completely losing consciousness or quickly getting to a “blackout state,” Michonski said. With that in mind, HuffPost asked experts like Michonski to describe some of the most common signs that someone has been nonconsensually drugged. The pair of friends went back to their table, where Hansen texted her boyfriend and told him she was headed home soon.

Date-Rape Drug Effects

Rohypnol, previously available as a white tablet that dissolved without color, taste, or smell is now formulated as an oblong caplet that is light green with a blue core. The manufacturer instituted this change to help identify tampered drinks at clubs. When dissolved in clear liquids the blue core will turn the clear liquid to blue. However, when dissolved in darker-colored liquids, the blue dye may not be noticeable. 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).

The Preventative: Ways to Keep Yourself Safe

As a premedication on the night before the operation, 2 mg is used. Then, 1.5 to 2 mg intramuscularly for adult patients two to three hours before anesthesia is recommended [2]. The alcoholism: causes risk factors and symptoms different affinity of benzodiazepines to specific GABA-A receptors and other individual characteristics like pharmacokinetics and bioavailability can alter their effect profiles [3].

What should you do if you’ve been roofied?

However, it is legally prescribed in dozens of other countries and is widely available in Mexico, Colombia, and Europe where it is used for the treatment of insomnia and as a pre-anesthetic. Rohypnol is often smuggled into the U.S from other countries, such as Mexico. Rohypnol is an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine with general properties similar to those of Valium (diazepam).

There are signs of possible sexual assault.

“When I would speak in huge groups of women, I would be like, ‘Who carries mace? All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Outside of the United States, flunitrazepam is used to treat insomnia and as an oral premedication before surgery.

What Should I Do if I Think I’ve Been Drugged and Raped?

Because you may lose consciousness very quickly in this situation, acting fast is essential at the onset of any signs you’ve been roofied. The sedative effects of Rohypnol are up to 10 times stronger than Valium. This means the onset of roofies' actions 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 and can last 12 hours or more after administration. To be “roofied” or “getting roofied” refers to an instance of sexual assault or rape where the victim has been spiked (given a substance without their knowing) with Rohypnol (flunitrazepam).

They may suddenly feel more amorous and sexual and respond emotionally to others in ways that are not characteristic for them. 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.

Date rape drugs are drugs a person can use to alter someone’s self-defense capability or decision-making to perpetrate a sexual assault. Knowing the most common types and their side effects can help prevent or stop sexual violence. When you hear the term "date-rape drug," you might think of roofies, a nickname for a tranquilizer called Rohypnol. But a date-rape drug can be any substance, legal or illegal, that's used to take advantage and sexually assault another person. After taking it, you might become confused, have trouble defending yourself, and not be able to remember what happened later. If Rohypnol exposure is to be detected, urine samples need to be collected within 72 hours of consumption and subjected to sensitive analytical tests.

In a bed, with panties down or feeling like they had sex, but no memory of having sex,” Yen says. Someone who has been roofied may appear much more intoxicated than would typically be expected — in a way that’s out of proportion to the amount of alcohol consumed. The effects of the drug also happens quickly — within 15 to 20 minutes of ingestion — and can last for more than 12 hours, according to the Department of Justice. We provide comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment, including therapy, counseling, and support groups, to help survivors heal and regain control of their lives.

Other substances that are often used in date rape offences include Ketamine (K, Special K) and Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) as they have similar effects to roofies. The benzodiazepine test strips can detect drugs such as rohypnol or “roofies,” xanax, valium, ativan, among others, according to the product listing. With the rise in attention payed towards sexual assault on college campuses in recent years, there's been a surge in products and methods to prevent people from spiking your drink, and to prevent you from drinking it if they already. According to Dr. Maria Gomez, Director of Psychology at American University, Flunitrazepam is exceptionally effective when used to commit sexual assault not only because it is a sedative, but also because it causes amnesia. "Flunitrazepam relaxes muscles and disorients someone who takes it, but it also effectively keeps them from remembering anything that happens once it begins to work," she said.

According to the Department of Justice, when combined with alcohol, roofies can cause anterograde amnesia, which Yen says is arguably one of their most worrisome side effects. Recovered is not a medical, healthcare or therapeutic services provider and no medical,psychiatric, psychological or physical cbd addiction treatment or advice is being provided by Recovered. Ifyou are facing a medical emergency or considering suicide or self harm, please call 911immediately. While it is never the victim's fault for being exposed to roofies, there are some steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

This is a serious cause for concern as, in the medication community, it is common knowledge that only benzodiazepines and alcohol can cause death due to withdrawal symptoms. Indications that you’ve been drugged and sexually assaulted include painful urination, genital pain, and possible genital bruising or tenderness, Riviello said. Thirteen percent of all college students experience rape or sexual assault through “physical force, violence, or incapacitation,” according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, or RAINN. “At least 50% of sexual assaults involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator and/or victim,” Michonski said. In slang, a Mickey Finn (or simply a Mickey) is a drink laced with a psychoactive drug or incapacitating agent (especially chloral hydrate) given to someone without their knowledge, with intent to incapacitate them.

This amnesia (memory loss) is more likely to occur when a roofie is mixed with alcohol. In the sections that follow, you’ll find important safety information that will help you better protect yourself from the dangers of being roofied. We’ll cover the signs of being roofied, its prevalence, what to do if you suspect you’ve been a victim, and other prevention tips and considerations. Has been contributing to medical fields including mental health and addiction since she retired from medicine; with over 19 years of practicing clinical experience.

Since many date-rape drugs leave the body quickly — within 12 to 72 hours — it’s important to act fast. Seek care in the emergency room, preferably one that has sexual assault nurse examiners to conduct a medical forensic examination, Riviello said. Like other benzodiazepines, Rohypnol® produces sedative-hypnotic, anti-anxiety, and muscle relaxant effects. This drug has never been approved for medical use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration.

1. Date rape drugs are drugs a person can use to alter someone’s self-defense capability or decision-making to perpetrate a sexual assault.
2. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products.
3. Recent years have proved how dangerous this combination is, as it is the leading cause of death among opioid overdoses.
4. The signs and symptoms of being roofied closely mimic those of simply having consumed too much alcohol, particularly if consumed in combination with cannabis products.

Hansen, the woman drugged at an Austin bar, said she’s still speaking with a therapist to work through her trauma. “You can make all other decisions about reporting, pursuing an investigation later once you are medically safe and back to complete coherence,” Michonski added. Stick with your group and don’t go anywhere alone with someone you don’t know.

Recent years have proved how dangerous this combination is, as it is the leading cause of death among opioid overdoses. For example, one study which attempted to ascertain the likelihood of benzodiazepine dependence looked at a group of patients who used them for more than four weeks. The study found that over one-third of participants developed withdrawal symptoms upon cessation [7]. Still, there are certain characteristics related to flunitrazepam that make it quite dangerous. For instance, all benzodiazepines have been found to induce a certain level of respiratory depression.

If you suspect someone’s been roofied, the first thing you should do is have them drink as much water as possible. Make sure they’re safe from any possible predators who may have slipped them the drug and get medical treatment as soon as possible. Although it might be tempting to just let the person sleep it off, these drugs carry serious risks. They may interact badly with other drugs already in the person’s system, such as heroin and alcohol, or the dosage may have been high enough to cause an overdose. If you’ve been roofied, it’s critical that you get help and support as soon as possible.

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.