Another indicator that someone has been roofied is if they have been talking to strangers shortly before effects present themselves, especially if said strangers have bought them drinks. You can read more here about how long GHB lasts and how to spot signs of GHB spiking. If you suspect that your drink has been spiked, let someone know immediately and get somewhere safe with people you trust.
- “Roofies” contain Rohypnol or other common date-rape drugs such as gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) or ketamine.
- Along with other drugs like GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) and ketamine, Rohypnol is used to incapacitate individuals, making them vulnerable to various forms of exploitation.
- If you suspect that you or someone else has been roofied, acting quickly can make a significant difference in ensuring safety and proper care.
- Sunlight Recovery’s experts can help you deal with roofied symptoms by providing individual and group therapy sessions.
What Drug Is Commonly Used in Sexual Assault?
Psychologically, Rohypnol impairs judgment and causes memory loss, making users vulnerable to dangerous situations, including sexual assault or other forms of victimization. Rohypnol, GHB, ketamine and the many other drugs predators use in roofie attacks are extremely dangerous. Some of these drugs can be fatal in high doses — especially when combined with alcohol, prescription medications and other substances.
Whatever you choose to do is the right thing — and it’s OK for that “right thing” to change over time. Just remember that there are a lot of other people out there who’ve been through the same thing and are happy to help. And you have the right to choose who — if anyone — you have sexual contact with and under what circumstances. When an assailant spikes your drink with a roofie, they’re trying to take that freedom from you. But there are protective measures you, your friends and the places you go can take to (1) reduce the likelihood of being dosed and (2) feel more confident when you’re out on the town.
Long-term Symptoms
- Roofies are commonly used in clubs, parties, and raves to facilitate sexual violence and sexually assault someone without their consent.
- These symptoms can be distressing and alarming, and may indicate the presence of a drug in the person’s system.
- People who experienced rape or are being drugged should be admitted to the nearest hospital to receive proper medical attention right away.
- By taking these precautions and staying vigilant, you can reduce the risk of being roofied and help ensure your safety in social settings.
- A roofied drink occurs when a drug has been slipped into a person’s drink without them knowing it.
- A date rape panel drug test can test for substances like GHB, ketamine, and different benzodiazepines like Rohypnol.
If you feel like you have been roofied and you are feeling its effects, you must seek medical attention right away. Going to the hospital and getting proper treatment right away helps you manage side effects and avoid getting fatal consequences. While preventive measures are crucial, so is helping those who have already experienced trauma. By means of awareness, alertness, and empathy, we can try to create more safe surroundings for all. Be prepared to provide emotional support even after they’re discharged and the side effects of being roofied start. Remind them that the traumatic event wasn’t their fault, especially if they were sexually assaulted or raped.
Physical Symptoms
Nausea, or feeling unsettled or sick to your stomach, is commonly felt after being drugged. Additionally, if you notice any physical symptoms or changes in your well-being, document those as well. Take photographs of any visible injuries or unusual marks on your body.
Rohypnol (Flunitrazepam)
If you or someone around you exhibits these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Quick action can prevent further harm and ensure the proper collection of evidence if needed. Many people what is getting roofied mean do not realize they’ve been roofied until the next morning.
Offenders use this drug, usually referred to as the date rape drug, to facilitate committing sexual assault without consent. If the person is unconscious, ask the doctors to test for date rape drugs in their system. Since some drugs take more than 10 hours to leave the system, the doctors may be able to detect the exact roofie drug that was administered and provide the appropriate treatment.
If possible, get medical attention right away to test for drugs in your system. Most often, people refer to being roofied when it occurs in the form of drink spiking. You can take your freedom back by responding on your terms, on your timeline and in your way.
However, if you are in any doubt as to whether you have been the victim of date rape then you must contact the emergency services to report a potential crime and to seek medical attention. Date rape is sexual assault during a social situation like a date or party. It can happen when someone is drugged with substances like roofies (Rohypnol) or alcohol to make them unable to resist. 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.
Depending on your state of residence, there may be multiple resources you can explore to obtain the support and direction you need after experiencing sexual assault of any kind. RAINN provides a convenient chat feature as well as the National Sexual Assault Hotline for those who believe they have fallen victim to sexual assault. While most people recover from a single episode of being roofied without long-term physical challenges, the psychological impact can be profound. Even in a seemingly innocuous state like Utah, public health data resources suggest that one in six women experience rape (a figure that also includes attempted rape) during their lifetime. The prevalence of being roofied is alarmingly high, making it crucial to understand the dangers and be aware of the signs. Knowing how to recognize and respond to the symptoms can help protect you and others from harm.
Date rape drugs may seem like something coming straight from a crime show. But the sad reality is that it has affected many people and continuously haunts thousands of lives up until this day. Transcend Recovery Community is here to enlighten you about date rape drugs, including vital information you may need about these substances. Seeking immediate medical attention and considering professional counseling can help you address any trauma or emotional distress.
Even if you are unsure, it is better to err on the side of caution and consult a healthcare professional. They can assess your condition, provide necessary medical treatment, and conduct tests to determine if any substances were used to incapacitate you. If you suspect that you may have been roofied, it is important to take immediate action to ensure your safety and well-being.
Assailants use them to incapacitate their victims and ensure they can’t make accurate police reports after the assault. Roofies are dangerous because they often involve central nervous system depressants, which can significantly impair your ability to function and react. These drugs, designed to sedate and incapacitate, are commonly used to facilitate crimes like sexual assault. Seek immediate medical help, inform someone you trust, preserve any evidence (like your drink), and report the incident to local authorities.
What Are the Symptoms of Being Roofied?
It is also important to note that a substance can be slipped into a drink almost instantly, especially if it is in powder form. If someone seems extremely intoxicated, especially if they have only had a couple of drinks, make sure to get them somewhere safe and get help if they need it. Other people abuse Rohypnol as a way to get “high” or combine it with alcohol to become highly intoxicated, which can be very dangerous. If you have concerns about confidentiality, ask the therapist to explain the rules around mandatory reporting.
By staying aware of your surroundings and understanding the effects these drugs can have, you can help keep yourself and the people around you safe. Because of the powerful effects of these drugs, many people don’t realize they’ve been roofied until the next day. It’s not uncommon for those who’ve been slipped drugs to never really know what actually happened to them. 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 roofie prevention tips and considerations.