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Rohypnol is the brand name for a benzodiazepine referred to as flunitrazepam. It is not approved for medicinal use in the United States, however, other countries use it to treat anxiety and insomnia. The illegal drug trade allows Rohypnol to be sold and abused on the street.
Sadly, Rohypnol is known as a date rape drug because criminals use it to facilitate sexual assault.[1] It has a couple of nicknames, including Roofies and Mexican Valium. Rohypnol can cause effects like sedation and memory loss in high doses, which is why people may slip it into victims’ drinks before assaulting them.
While Rohypnol is a date rape drug, some people abuse it intentionally. It can cause a high characterized by euphoria, dizziness, drowsiness, and an overwhelming sense of calmness. If you or a loved one abuse flunitrazepam, you might be wondering how long it stays in your system.
Rohypnol has a half-life of 16 to 35 hours, which means it can stay in your body for 2 to 5 days.[2] That said, some drug tests can detect it for longer periods due to the metabolites it leaves behind.
In this article, you will learn:
- How long the effects of Rohypnol last
- How long do roofies stay in your system
- How long can drug tests find Rohypnol in your system
How Long Do the Effects of Rohypnol Last?
While Rohypnol causes similar effects to other benzodiazepines, symptoms like memory loss and sedation are more potent. This is one of the main reasons the drug was banned in the United States.
The effects of Rohypnol begin within 30 minutes of consuming it and can last for up to 8 hours. The side effects of the drug may include:[3]
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Fatigue and sedation
- Amnesia or memory loss
- Poor mental functioning and confusion
- Excitability or aggressive behavior
- Loss of coordination
- Muscle weakness
- Headaches
- Respiratory depression (i.e. slowed breathing)
Because Rohypnol is a central nervous system depressant, high doses can lead to slowed breathing, decreased heart rate, and life-threatening overdoses. If you or a loved one abuses this drug, you should contact emergency medical services if you notice symptoms like stopped breathing, blue-colored lips or fingernails, or choking and gurgling noises.
If you believe someone slipped Roofies into your drink, you should contact 911. The law enforcement officers will get you safely to the hospital for treatment and drug testing. Seeking help immediately ensures the drug is still in your system, allowing for criminal charges to be brought forth upon whoever spiked your drink.
What is the Half-Life of Rohypnol?
Understanding how long Rohypnol stays in your system involves knowing what a half-life is. To explain, a drug’s half-life tells you how long it takes your body to eliminate half of a dose. It can take 4 to 5 half-lives for your body to eliminate a substance.
The half-life of flunitrazepam is between 16 to 35 hours.[2] It can take 2 to 5 days for it to leave your system. This provides hospitals with plenty of time to analyze urine samples and complete blood tests to determine if you were roofied.
How Long Can Drug Tests Detect Rohypnol?
Rohypnol leaves behind metabolites in areas of your body like your urine, blood, saliva, and hair. This is how drug tests can detect whether you’ve recently abused it. The amount of time a drug test can detect Rohypnol depends on what type of screening tool is used.
Urine
Urine tests are the most common type of drug screening tool. They are minimally invasive and relatively cheap, making them preferred among medical professionals.
Drug tests can detect Rohypnol in urine for 12 hours to 5 days after you last consumed it. If you were given a high dose of flunitrazepam, it is possible to test positive for up to 10 days.
Blood
Blood tests are less common than urine screens for a couple of reasons. First, they require a blood draw which makes them invasive. Second, they tend to offer a shorter window of detection than urinalysis tests.
Blood tests can detect Rohypnol in your system for 24 hours after you last used it.
Saliva
Saliva tests are less reliable than blood and urine tests, which means they aren’t used as frequently. When it comes to testing for flunitrazepam, they are ineffective.
Hair
Hair tests offer the most long-term window of detection out of any drug test. They can find any substance (including Rohypnol) in your system for up to 90 days.
However, sometimes hair tests offer unreliable results because they discriminate based on things like hair color. Because of this, medical professionals rarely use them for standard drug testing purposes.
Find Help for Rohypnol Abuse and Addiction
If you or a loved one suffers from Rohypnol addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. Long-term abuse of flunitrazepam can lead to a wide variety of mental and physical health concerns. Thankfully, drug rehab programs can help you overcome the effects of Rohypnol abuse.
Why Choose The Mandala Healing Center? Clients are taken on a journey of healing through complete immersion into evidence-based clinical modalities, multifaceted alternative therapies, and expert medical management, allowing them to fully detox and recover from drug and alcohol addictions. Through a program of care designed to encourage change, a foundation is created that allows clients to find their higher purpose and reclaim their lives.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you overcome Rohypnol addiction.
References:
- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): Date Rape Drugs
- Science Direct: Flunitrazepam
- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Rohypnol
