It’s also crucial to report the incident to law enforcement, especially if you suspect foul play or assault. If a person wants to spike your drink, they may try to mask the saltiness with a strong alcoholic beverage or a sweet liqueur. If you haven’t already fallen asleep, you’ll likely lose consciousness at that point. Roofies are a type of benzodiazepine, a group of drugs that affect brain chemicals and slow the central nervous system. Once intoxication sets in—roughly minutes after ingestion—a person will pass out and remain unconscious for at least a few hours. Reports linking the drug to date rape began around the same time.
What Is in Roofies?
Rohypnols, also known as “roofies,” are powerful sedatives that belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. They are best known for their use in drug-facilitated sexual assaults. These effects can make it more difficult for victims to escape dangerous situations. Sometimes people will used the term “spiked” to refer to drinks that have been tampered with, but this doesn’t always refer to roofies. However, in average conversation, “roofies” meaning is usually any date-rape drug that is used to target victims for sexual violence.
This lack of control can be alarming, and recognizing these feelings can be the first step towards seeking help. Learn the signs and symptoms to know how to help someone who has been roofied. Sandstone Care supports teens and young adults with mental health and substance use disorders. 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. “Roofies” is a term to refer to substances that are slipped into people’s drinks without them knowing.
What Is Date Rape?
Noticing roofied symptoms right away can save lives and help protect against sexual assault and other drug-related crimes. Being roofied is never the victim’s fault, but there are signs and symptoms to watch out for to help keep you and the people around you safe. When a signs of being roofied person gets roofied, they may feel extremely drunk and “blackout,” where they temporarily lose memory or consciousness.
How Long Do Side Effects of Being Roofied Last?
- For some individuals, a night involving being roofied might have happened in the context of other drug or alcohol use.
- If interaction with first responders is required, describe what you know they have consumed and accurately estimate your friend’s alcohol consumption.
- Drugs like Rohypnol or GHB can severely impair your motor skills.
- If there’s any chance you were assaulted, you can contact local resources for help, including sexual assault hotlines or medical professionals.
- Once you have all the information you need, you can make an informed decision about your next steps.
Many people experience ongoing emotional effects after being drugged, even if no assault occurred. Symptoms can include nightmares, panic attacks, hypervigilance, or distrust of social settings. Trauma-informed therapy can be highly beneficial in helping individuals process these experiences and regain a sense of safety. Consider reaching out to a trusted friend, healthcare provider, or counselor for support. If there’s any chance you were assaulted, you can contact local resources for help, including sexual assault hotlines or medical professionals.
- By taking the above preventative measures and knowing the signs, you can better protect yourself.
- If you are worried for their safety or feel they are being coerced or manipulated against their will, then notify authorities or interject if safe to do so.
- If you have ever felt this before, then knowing the warning signs of being Roofied, how to prevent it, and what steps to take is critical for your own and others’ safety.
- Understanding the what and how of “date rape drugs” improves your odds of avoiding it.
How Common Is Being Roofied?
If you have been roofied, it is important to remember that it is not your fault. Talk to someone, whether it is a friend, family member, healthcare provider, therapist, or anyone else you trust. Roofies affect each person differently, especially if they have alcohol or other drugs in their system. This is why it is critical to consult medical professionals to make sure there is nothing that can cause long-term harm still in the victim’s system.
Roofies once in your system won’t take too long to show effect so acting as quickly as possible is crucial. Keeping yourself safe in a crowd is getting increasingly difficult with the easy access people with harmful intentions have to their substances. The consequences go beyond just the immediate effects; those who are roofied might face various challenges, such as anxiety or PTSD, which can linger long after the event.
One small tablet of Rohypnol can cause a person to pass out and forget what happened to them while under the influence. Read here to find out more about how long drugs and alcohol stay in your system. 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.
Trauma Bonding: Definition, Stages, & Recovery
The drowsiness hits you harder than it should based on how much you drank. This overwhelming sleepiness often leads to blacking out or losing large chunks of time. It can be covertly put into someone’s drink, making them feel lightheaded, weak confused, or even faint. This is exploitative because it can make the person vulnerable to exploitative and predatory behaviors. Anyone can be vulnerable to roofies, no matter their gender, size, or alcohol tolerance.
The signals may be minor at first, but understanding what to look for can allow you to respond swiftly. If you or someone you know is experiencing drug-related symptoms, seek medical attention immediately and inform others. Protecting yourself and others can help you avoid risky situations and stay safe on evenings out. Remember that you are never at fault for being roofied, so enjoy your time while remaining informed and safe. Understanding how to recognize the symptoms of being roofied is crucial for your safety and well-being.
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. The central nervous system (CNS) is responsible for processing information and controlling most functions of the body and mind. In the U.K., 11% of women claim to have been a victim of roofies or drink spiking. Open or unattended drinks at bars, clubs, festivals, or house parties are at a higher risk. Shared punch bowls or communal alcohol containers are also common targets.
The distress caused by the situation can have a long-term impact on the individual. It is therefore advised to seek mental health help if you or someone you know has been through the same situation. The emotional impact on the individual can also be very traumatizing and heavy as they come to terms with the reality of the situation. They might not even be able to recall all the details of the incident which can make it even more frustrating. They might have a negative emotional response like being ashamed of themselves, self-isolating, feeling confused and disoriented.
Reach Out to Support if you’re Roofied
Roofies have become so synonymous with rape that the act of drugging someone’s drink with any substance is collectively called “roofying”. Other substances that are often used in date rape offenses include Ketamine (K, Special K) and Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB), as they have similar effects to roofies. Having your drink spiked without your knowledge or consent is commonly called “being roofied.” And it can make sexual violence more likely. Always keep your drink within sight, accept drinks only from trusted sources, use drink-testing tools, stay with a group, and trust your instincts. Greater Boston Addiction Centers provides a safe, compassionate environment for individuals seeking help for substance use disorders and trauma-related issues. With tailored Addiction Treatment Programs and specialized support in Addiction Therapy Programs Boston, our treatment center offers a comprehensive approach to healing.