Rohypnol also makes it harder to think clearly or make decisions, which can put users in dangerous situations. It is also important to go out with people you trust and ensure everyone looks out for each other. If you’d like to learn more about healthcare, check out our in-depth interview with Ian Kroes, MD. Once intoxication sets in—roughly minutes after ingestion—a person will pass out and remain unconscious for at least a few hours. Access State-Specific Provider Directories for detailed information on locating licensed service providers and recovery residences in your area.

Signs of Being Roofied: Recognizing and Recovering from Drugged Drinks

And, depending on your health insurance, some insurers will cover toxicology screening only in specific instances, such as in the case of a suspected sexual assault. Date rape drugs will make the person that has been drugged feel confused almost euphoric. When you wake up you often have no recollection of the night before. You will likely still feel an element of confusion before the drugs wear completely off. Confusion about the events of the time prior to waking up usually continues well beyond what you would expect. You may remember bits and pieces of what happened almost like a dream like state.

Remind yourself that this all too commonly happens ― to women and men, and to people of all ages, not just college students ― and that you’re not alone or to blame for the violence done to you. Since spiking a drink aims to make the victim helpless, most drugs used to roofie cause muscle relaxation. Thus, alcohol is the most common and readily available date rape drug. If you suspect you’ve been roofied, prioritize your safety by seeking immediate medical attention and contacting local authorities. By staying informed and taking these precautions, you can reduce your risk of being roofied and help prevent sexual assault.

  • The day after being roofied, you may wake up feeling extremely unwell.
  • The drugs change, but the goal — sexual assault — remains the same.
  • Unlike alcohol, which typically takes time to affect cognitive function, drugs like Rohypnol cause sudden and profound mental clouding.
  • Consider reaching out to a trusted friend, healthcare provider, or counselor for support.

Also, try to speak to friends who may have been with you at the time to see if they can confirm any details. Amusement – It may seem cruel and unusual, but some victims of being roofied have had it done to them just for the enjoyment of other people. That’s part of the reason sharing your experience can be so powerful. The culture of silence around date rape drugs, Dr. Albers explains, makes this kind of crime easier to pull off. Instead, try to stay in a public place while you 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.

  • It can be difficult to tell when someone has slipped a drug into your drink because roofies are often tasteless, odorless, and colorless.
  • In fact, despite being a Schedule IV substance, possession, distribution and manufacturing of Rohypnol carry the same criminal charges as Schedule I substances such as heroin.
  • Many states also have their own sexual assault hotlines and support services.
  • Read here to find out more about how long drugs and alcohol stay in your system.

Suspecting she’d been roofied ― or that something else was seriously wrong with their new co-worker ― Hansen’s group acted fast, calling an ambulance to pick her up. By staying informed and vigilant, we can work together to prevent these crimes and support those affected by them. If you feel unsure or uncomfortable, it’s important to prioritize your well-being. Trying to ignore the experience or pretend it didn’t happen can make the symptoms much worse and last longer. If you think you or a friend has been spiked, it is important to call the police or go to the hospital. Roofies typically take around 20 minutes to kick in, and side effects can last up to 12 hours.

Do Roofies Show Up on Blood Tests?

At Greater Boston Addiction Centers, our Addiction Therapy Programs provide trauma-informed care to help individuals process their experiences and find healthier ways to heal. Being roofied refers to the act of being drugged without your knowledge, typically by someone slipping a drug into your drink or food. The substances used are usually depressants or dissociatives, designed to impair memory, physical coordination, and awareness. If you or someone you know has been roofied, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Whether through hotlines, mental health services, or legal assistance, there are numerous resources available to assist survivors in healing from this devastating experience.

Research gleaned from three large universities suggests that as many as one in 13 college students has been slipped drugs without their knowledge or consent. Seventy-nine percent of those who reported being drugged were women, and women were more likely to experience sexual assault after being drugged. Although it does seem to be more prevalent among the college crowd than among the population as a whole, middle and high school students, as well as older adults, have all reported being roofied. 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. I had my drink ‘spiked’ once while travelling as a young backpacker through Europe about ten years ago.

The trauma of being roofied can lead to substance misuse as individuals attempt to self-medicate their emotional pain. This cycle of using drugs or alcohol to cope often exacerbates feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. Many patients don’t realize the toxicity of prolonged alcohol abuse and how it affects the body. Alcohol detox at the luxurious rehab addiction centers at Gratitude Lodge leeches your body of these roofied symptoms day after toxins in preparation for successful treatment for drugs and alcohol abuse. Alcohol detox may not take as long or produce severe withdrawal symptoms, but it is still an essential beginning to your recovery.

Confusion

It might feel like a really bad hangover, but much worse than what you’d expect based on how much you drank. Being roofied can feel very different from just being drunk or tired. It often starts with feeling suddenly dizzy or lightheaded, even if you haven’t had much to drink. You might feel a strong sense of confusion, as if you’re in a fog and can’t think clearly. Everything around you might seem blurry or distant, and it may become hard to focus on what’s happening. GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) is another drug used in drink spiking.

Recovery Stories

If you notice someone exhibiting these signs, particularly if the onset is sudden and unexplained, it’s crucial to get them to a safe place and seek medical care right away. Avoid leaving the person alone and contact emergency services if necessary. Because these drugs are designed to inhibit memory, victims may wake up in unfamiliar places, with no recollection of how they got there or what happened during the hours they were unconscious. This feeling of lost time is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as muscle soreness, dizziness, nausea, and headaches. Being “roofied” is a traumatic and potentially dangerous experience. The term refers to being unknowingly drugged with substances such as Rohypnol (commonly known as “roofies”), gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), or ketamine.

Being roofied is a traumatic experience that leaves victims physically and emotionally vulnerable. Recognizing the roofied symptoms and understanding the steps to take in response can save lives and help prevent further harm. Whether it’s seeking medical attention, contacting law enforcement, or accessing mental health treatment, survivors deserve compassion, care, and support in their journey to recovery. Common roofied symptoms include memory loss, slurred speech, loss of muscle control, confusion, dizziness, and sometimes loss of consciousness.

Survivor’s Guilt: Causes, Signs, and How to Forgive Yourself

Other benzodiazepines and date rape drugs can also show up on a blood test panel. The day after being spiked, a person may feel very confused, nauseous, drowsy, and anxious. This is why it is so essential to pay close attention to drinks and to never let a stranger have access to the drink for even short periods of time. It is also important to note that a substance can be slipped into a drink almost instantly, especially if it is in powder form. Other people abuse Rohypnol as a way to get “high” or combine it with alcohol to become highly intoxicated, which can be very dangerous.

Roofies and Sexual Assault

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. Often, a person who has been roofied doesn’t remember what happened to them.

Many states also have their own sexual assault hotlines and support services. 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. Stick with friends and those you trust to ensure your safety in party situations. If you suspect you’ve been roofied, take immediate and deliberate actions to protect yourself and preserve any potential evidence. 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.