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If you are a woman who goes to parties or drinks at bars, your family has probably warned you not to let your drink out of sight or take drinks from strangers. Unfortunately, this is good advice, as some people slip drugs into drinks to take advantage of others. A slang term for this experience is “getting roofied.”
If you’ve been roofied, you will notice mental fogginess, muscle relaxation, lessened inhibitions, and possibly total blackouts. While these are common symptoms of drinking too much, you will experience them after drinking only one spiked beverage.
Because being roofied is a serious concern, it’s important to understand exactly what it means. While the nickname comes from a drug called Rohypnol, other substances can be used to hinder you as well. For example, someone could roofie your drink with gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), ketamine, or benzodiazepines like Xanax and valium.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of being roofied and how to react will prevent you from experiencing sexual violence. If you believe your drink was spiked, you should find a safe place, call 911, and receive medical care.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is a roofie?
- What are the signs of being roofied?
- What to do when someone spiked your drink
What Does it Mean to Be Roofied?
Being “roofied” is a term associated with being drugged against your will. Usually, someone who roofies your drink is doing so to facilitate sexual assault. While being roofied originally came from the benzodiazepine Rohypnol, it can be associated with several substances.
A variety of drugs can be used as roofies, including:[1]
- Rohypnol– This is a benzodiazepine medication known as flunitrazepam. However, it is not used medicinally in the United States because of the dangerous effects it causes. Rohypnol was the original Roofie drug.
- Ketamine- Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic drug that is used in small doses to treat mental health conditions like depression. However, when abused or given in large doses, it can produce hallucinations, detachment from reality, and profound sedation.
- Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)- This substance is illegal and belongs to the sedative class of drugs. It causes euphoria, relaxation, and sociability. People use it as a date rape drug because GHB can lead to amnesia and sedation.
- Etizolam- Etizolam is similar to benzodiazepines and can work as an anticonvulsant. However, it is abused and used as a date rape drug because it produces intense sedation.
- Xanax- Xanax is a prescription benzodiazepine that can treat panic attacks and seizures. However, people abuse it to experience a euphoric and sedating high. It can be used as a date rape drug because in high doses it causes brain fog, memory loss, and unconsciousness.
- Valium- Valium or diazepam is used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures. However, it can cause sedation and memory loss, making it ideal for criminals looking to spike a drink.
All of these common date rape drugs share one similarity- they are central nervous system depressants. This means they slow down activity in your brain and lead to fatigue, sedation, and unconsciousness. They can also lead to memory loss, which is ideal for criminals who do not want you to remember you were assaulted.
What Do Roofies Feel Like?
Date rape drugs like Rohypnol or ketamine are often colorless and tasteless. This allows people to slip them into your drink without noticing. They might come in the form of pills, liquids, or powders.
If you have been roofied, you might notice the following side effects:[2]
- Confusion and disorientation
- Memory loss or amnesia
- Feelings of fear, panic, or anxiety
- Loss of muscle control
- Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
- Slowed breathing rate
- Drowsiness and sedation
- Compromised judgment and reduced inhibition
Many people do not realize they’ve been roofied until the next morning. This occurs because the substances cause you to lose consciousness or blackout. When you wake up, you might notice that you have no memory of the night before despite drinking very little.
If you think you were the victim of a date rape drug, it is not too late to get help. You can either contact law enforcement or call the national sexual assault hotline to report the assault. If you are having difficulty reporting it, talk to a trusted friend or a therapist to receive support and advice.
What to Do if You Think You’ve Been Roofied
If you notice the symptoms of a date rape drug while you are still out drinking, there are some steps you should take. First, find a trusted friend and get to a safe location. You want to make sure you remove yourself from the environment where the possible offender is.
Next, contact 911 and let them know you’ve been drugged. They will come to investigate while ensuring you get the medical care you need.
If you do not notice until the next morning, there are several steps you should take. Make sure to avoid engaging in activities that could destroy evidence. For example, you want to avoid taking showers, washing your clothes, or cleaning up in any way.
Once you are ready, you can either call 911 or go to a hospital. Either way, you will receive the medical attention you need and be allowed to report the assault.
Find Help for Drug and Alcohol Abuse
If you or a loved one suffers from substance abuse, it’s time to seek professional help. Whether you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, the Mandala Healing Center is here to offer you the tools and support you need to recover.
Contact us today for more information on our reputable addiction treatment program.
References:
- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): Date Rape Drugs
- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Rohypnol
