One of the primary signs of being roofied is a rapid onset of confusion and disorientation. Unlike alcohol, which typically takes time to affect cognitive function, drugs like Rohypnol cause sudden and profound mental clouding. You might find it difficult to think clearly or make sense of your surroundings. This can significantly disrupt daily life, causing victims to withdraw from social interactions and feel uncomfortable in social settings. Many common date rape drugs come in the form of pills, powders, or liquids.

If you’re at a bar, keep an eye on the person preparing your drink, remembering that expert predators need less than a second to spike your drink. However, you can be roofied through substances such as marijuana and cocaine. Over-the-counter or prescription sleeping medicines and antidepressants are also effective roofie drugs. Contrary to expectations, you don’t have to be at a bar or club to get roofied. A family member or romantic partner can slip a roofie into your drink when making or holding it for you.

Being roofied is a frightening crime that can be extremely difficult to think about, but staying knowledgeable and aware can help minimize the chance of assault. Though in some cases (if you are a minor, for example), the evaluator may be forced to report the assault. « Other than legal issues raised, if you have been sexually assaulted, you should be tested and treated for potential STDs, » Giwa adds.

• When mixed with alcohol, their effects are amplified, increasing the risk of respiratory depression, unconsciousness, and even overdose.
• 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.
• This page explains how to recognize the signs of being roofied and shows you how to recover – staying informed is the first step in protecting yourself.
• Tell them where you were and when you believe you were drugged so they can visit the crime scene and ask staff or witnesses if they noticed anything unusual.
• Finish your drink before leaving to use the toilet, or get another once you’re done with the facilities.

With tailored Addiction Treatment Programs and specialized support in Addiction Therapy Programs Boston, our treatment center offers a comprehensive approach to healing. 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. 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.

• Thirteen percent of all college students experience rape or sexual assault through “physical force, violence, or incapacitation,” according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, or RAINN.
• I had my drink ‘spiked’ once while travelling as a young backpacker through Europe about ten years ago.
• Whether the drug appears in your bloodstream doesn’t invalidate your experience.
• These centers can help address both physical and psychological needs.
• Make sure they’re safe from any possible predators who may have slipped them the drug, and get medical treatment as soon as possible.

Sandstone Care supports teens and young adults with mental health and substance use disorders. Some studies suggest that around 30% of sexual assault victims think they were drugged, either by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. Sometimes, people who engage in excessive binge drinking may “blackout” and not remember certain things that happened throughout the night the next day.

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Once intoxication sets in—roughly minutes after ingestion—a person will pass out and remain unconscious for at least a few hours. Today, there are blue-colored tablets formulated to be visible in a drink, as well as the colorless Rohypnol tablets. They may also crush and dissolve the pills or tablets in a strong-flavored alcoholic drink. Stick with your group and don’t go anywhere alone with someone you don’t know. Definitely don’t attempt to “ride it out” without medical assistance, and don’t keep information to yourself, Michonski said. 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.

What to Do If Your Drink Is Spiked

Roofies may interact badly with other drugs already in the person’s system, such as heroin and alcohol, or the dosage may have been high enough to cause an overdose. The uncertainty about what happened and the physical symptoms can be overwhelming. If you suspect that you were roofied, get medical attention and talk to someone you trust for support. Sadly, people often use these drugs to take advantage of others, so understanding roofies meaning and the signs of being drugged can help you stay safe.

Some of these drugs can be fatal in high doses — especially when combined with alcohol, prescription medications and other substances. While these symptoms closely resemble the effects of a hangover from alcohol, many victims do not identify that they have been raped. 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. However, it will likely need to involve both physical and mental care.

While most people recover from a single episode of being roofied without long-term physical challenges, the psychological impact can be profound. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) reports that every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. In a study of college students, more than 1 in 13 reported being drugged. 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 i think i got roofied harm. Always keep an eye on your drink, whether you’re taking alcoholic beverages at home or a party, bar or club.

Emotional Trauma or Mood Disturbances

The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care. Someone who has been roofied will feel extremely intoxicated very quickly. They may suddenly feel more amorous and sexual and respond emotionally to others in ways that are not characteristic of 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.

Go Out With Friends and Look Out for Each Other

If you think you’ve been drugged, there are things you can do during and after the incident to take care of yourself, mentally and physically. Although it depends on the substance, common symptoms of being drugged include fatigue, dizziness, nausea, feeling drunk or intoxicated, disorientation and just not feeling well, according to Rowland. Thirteen percent of all college students experience rape or sexual assault through “physical force, violence, or incapacitation,” according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, or RAINN. The day after being roofied, you may wake up feeling extremely unwell. One of the most common symptoms is a severe headache that doesn’t go away easily. It might feel like a really bad hangover, but much worse than what you’d expect based on how much you drank.

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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. They are also undetectable, having no smell, color, or taste when dissolved in liquid. Most criminals who use roofies on rape victims will do so by picking targets in bars or clubs and spiking their alcoholic drinks with the drug. Learn the signs and symptoms to know how to help someone who has been roofied.

Even if they do not suggest you are to blame, these medical professionals may not be equipped with the most sensitive language to discuss your experience. By taking swift and decisive action, you can help ensure the safety and well-being of someone who may have been roofied. Your intervention can make a significant difference in preventing further harm and facilitating the individual’s recovery process. These effects become more significant when this drug is mixed with alcohol. Many people who have been roofied reported that they felt like their bodies weren’t responding to them. Some victims also explained that they sensed some sort of paralysis.

Seeking help from mental health professionals is crucial for processing the trauma and reducing symptoms of PTSD. Therapy and support groups can provide the necessary support and understanding to help victims regain confidence and enjoy social occasions once again. 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. It’s typical (and frightening) to have partial or total memory loss after a roofie attack. It’s also common to have symptoms similar to a really bad hangover.

I had my drink ‘spiked’ once while travelling as a young backpacker through Europe about ten years ago. I had decided to have a drink in my hostel’s bar rather than exploring the city of Amsterdam at night (a safe choice, I thought). The next thing I remember is the sensation of my bar stool spinning, and feeling like my mind was foggy. He was very persistent, so I told him I was going to my room to get my coat and that I would come back (with no intention of doing this). Then I remember bouncing on and off the walls in the hostel as I struggled to my dorm.

It can be difficult to tell when someone has slipped a drug into your drink because roofies are often tasteless, odorless, and colorless. 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. One way to prevent being roofied is by keeping your drink with you at all times when you are out and not accepting drinks from strangers. “Roofies” contain Rohypnol or other common date-rape drugs such as gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) or ketamine. It’s also crucial to report the incident to law enforcement, especially if you suspect foul play or assault. If you believe you’ve been roofied, it’s important to seek help immediately.

If you’re out at a bar or club, order your own drink and take it directly from the bartender. If you see someone who appears to be extremely “out of it”, unable to carry on a conversation, or passed out, it’s possible that they have been drugged. Some people who have been roofied experience drowsiness and confusion long after they regain consciousness. If they had seizures while under the influence, they may suffer from permanent cognitive impairment. Feelings of euphoria, mood elevation, and extreme happiness can be common as the drug begins to take effect, especially when it is mixed with alcohol. « Ask your friends and loved ones for what you need. Tell them what you need and what you want and how they can help you, » Cooper says.