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. If you’re feeling distressed in the days, weeks, months or even years after being drugged, reach out for help. If you don’t know who to go to, or how you’ll afford therapy, call your local rape crisis center. Almost all have a hotline and advocates who can give you advice on what to do and where to go, as well as provide emotional support, Riviello said. Since many date-rape drugs leave the body quickly — within 12 to 72 hours — it’s important to act fast.

Don’t drive, and don’t leave the area you’re at unless you’re in danger. Try to stay around as many people as possible until help arrives, and drink as much water as you can to help flush the drug from your system. The first sign of being roofied is the onset of extreme brain fog. Victims also experience disorientation, difficulty focusing and concentrating, loss of muscle control, the sensation of paralysis and a feeling of extreme drunkenness. Some people may feel nauseated, and nearly everyone who’s given these drugs experiences lapses in memory.

Potential Long-Term Effects of Roofies or Date Rape Drugs

Therapy can also be an important part of the healing process. If you have concerns about confidentiality, ask the therapist to explain the rules around mandatory reporting. If you don’t receive a consent form to sign before starting treatment, ask for one. 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. Remember what your drink looks and tastes like to identify even the smallest changes.

Roofies and Sexual Assault

The term originates from Rohypnol, a powerful benzodiazepine that was once more commonly used in drug-facilitated crimes. However, it now broadly includes other substances such as GHB, ketamine, or even high doses of prescription medications. Another telltale sign of being roofied is a feeling of extreme fatigue or lethargy. This isn’t just the aftermath of a long night – it’s that killer exhaustion paired with confusion. If you found yourself fighting to stay awake or struggling to keep your eyes open, that’s definitely cause for concern! Your body might be responding to substances that disturb its natural balance.

A family member or romantic partner can slip a roofie into your drink when making or holding it for you. Moreover, you can get roofied even if you’re just drinking water or juice. A 2016 study found that 7.8% of female college students and 8.5% of non-college women in the U.S. are victims of being roofied.

Rohypnol is no longer the most popular drug being used for this purpose, but the term stuck. Today, someone who says they were “roofied” could have had their drink contaminated with any number of substances. The drugs change, but the goal — sexual assault — remains the same. This can be done through therapy, support groups, and other mental health treatments.

Is Spiking a Form of Sexual Assault?

If anything from this article resonates with you, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Knowledge is power, and by being proactive, you can protect yourself and others. Think about it—wouldn’t it be great to spread awareness about this topic? 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. It’s essential to shed light on these experiences, as many might feel isolated or misunderstood after such an incident.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Being Roofied

• Some studies suggest that around 30% of sexual assault victims think they were drugged, either by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.
• If the person has been sexually assaulted, they’ll need to go to a hospital so the facility’s sexual assault team can collect forensic evidence.
• Someone more experienced can use a sleight of hand to spike your drink, so you may not even notice that your drink is drugged until it’s too late.

For further help and support with the aftermath of rape, speak to one of the many charities that specialize in helping those who have been the victim of sexual assault. There are links to these charities at the bottom of this page. Sadly, owing to the rapid nature of roofies affecting the victim and their sedative properties, many people do not realize they have been drugged until it is too late. As roofies cause gaps in memory, it is often difficult to recognize if you have been a victim the following day. To be “roofied” or “getting roofied” refers to an instance (often involving sexual assault or rape) where the victim has been given Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) without their knowledge.

• Maintaining awareness of these symptoms can give you clarity on your experience.
• “At least 50% of sexual assaults involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator and/or victim,” Michonski said.
• In the U.K., 11% of women claim to have been a victim of roofies or drink spiking.
• It does this by increasing the effects of a chemical called GABA, which makes you feel very relaxed and sleepy.

Ketamine (K, Special K, Vitamin K)

The length of time a roofie can stay in y our system depends on the type of drug used to spike the drink. A date rape panel drug test can test for substances like GHB, ketamine, and different benzodiazepines like Rohypnol. Its effects, like sedation and memory loss, usually last 6 to 12 hours. In blood, it can be found for about a day, and in urine for a few days. Often, a person who has been roofied doesn’t remember what happened to them.

This means that you can’t remember (or will struggle to recall) what happened after taking the drug. The memory loss lasts for as long as the drug is active in your body. However, your memories before taking the drug aren’t affected. Cassandra Sierra is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Addiction Professional with over 30 years of experience in mental health and addiction recovery. She has served as Director of Mental Health Services in Palm Beach County, FL, and co-founded the Miracles Club, Inc., supporting recovery since 2001. If you feel comfortable, consider contacting a professional for further support.

They’re tasteless, odorless, and, once crushed, dissolve quickly. The symptoms of being roofied can be traumatic, and you may need signs you were roofied help to deal with the side effects. Sunlight Recovery’s experts can help you deal with roofied symptoms by providing individual and group therapy sessions. It’s good practice only to drink something you’ve made or opened yourself.

The word first appeared on the scene as a street name for a drug called Rohypnol (flunitrazepam). Rohypnol belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It’s usually prescribed to promote sleep or prep your body for anesthesia, which it does by slowing down the functioning of your central nervous system. Nobody seeks to get roofied, and when it happens, it’s important to remember that it’s not your fault. However, you can do several things to lower the chances of getting roofied.