“Getting roofied” is slang for getting drugged against your will, then experiencing sexual assault. “Roofies” are the street name for drugs like the sedative Rohypnol that predators use to disarm and disable their targets. These “date rape drugs” can be easily mixed into drinks without being detected.
Sexual crimes can be dangerous and life-changing for their victims. Learning about the risks of drinking with people you don’t know and recognizing the signs of being roofied can help prevent violence and make it possible to get help if an assault happens.
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Common Date Rape Drugs
While there are many potential date rape drugs out there, Rohypnol, GBH, and ketamine are notorious when it comes to getting roofied.
Rohypnol
Roofies, also called Mexican Valium roche, la rocha, circles, and the forget-me pill were originally named for the prescription benzodiazepine Rohypnol (flunitrazepam), a central nervous system depressant, that is sometimes used as an anesthetic, approximately 10 times as potent as Xanax. This hypnotic and sedative tranquilizer can cause loss of consciousness and amnesia within 30 minutes when it’s consumed with alcohol, and its effects can last for hours. Rohypnol dissolves quickly in drinks and it’s hard to detect once it’s there, although more recent versions of the medication can tint pale liquids blue.
Ketamine
The dissociative drug ketamine, also called special K, cat valium, and Kit Kat, is an anesthetic that can cause hallucinations, feelings of unreality, unconsciousness, and amnesia in strong doses. Its effects usually last from half an hour to an hour. Doctors sometimes use ketamine to treat difficult cases of depression. On the street, predators sometimes mix the powder or liquid form of the drug into drinks, although its bitter taste can make it more easy to recognize than some other date rape drugs.
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid), also called liquid ecstasy, liquid E, liquid X, G-riffic, organic Quaalude, fantasy, and soap, is a depressant that affects the central nervous system. Doctors sometimes prescribe it to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy. In large doses, it can cause disorientation, confusion, sleepiness, sedation, and memory loss. GHB can be administered as a liquid or dissolvable powder, and its salty taste can be camouflaged by a strongly-flavored drink. It usually takes effect in 15 to 30 minutes and can incapacitate a person for up to six hours.
What Does It Mean to Be Roofied?
Being roofied refers to getting drugged without your knowledge, often when you’re out at a bar or a club. Getting drugged can make you more susceptible to injury, assault, or overdose if you lose control over your awareness, cognition, and motor function. It’s common to be victimized at crowded settings like parties where it is easy to be mistaken for someone who is drinking or taking drugs recreationally. If a person recognizes the signs of getting roofied quickly, their chances of seeking help and getting to safety before they become incapacitated increase dramatically.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Being Roofied
The physical effects of roofies are obvious if you know what to look out for. Symptoms may include:
Dizziness or Loss of Balance
Feeling dizzy, disoriented, and clumsy are some of the first symptoms of getting roofied. These sensations can make it hard to concentrate and coincide with brain fog.
Extreme Drowsiness or Sudden Fatigue
Roofies can make you feel extremely sleepy or exhausted and cause you to pass out quickly and lose consciousness completely.
Nausea or Vomiting
It’s common to feel nauseous or sick to your stomach or to vomit after getting roofied.
Blurred Vision
Roofies can impair your central nervous system, causing blurred vision, double vision, and tunnel vision.
Cognitive symptoms of getting roofied can include:
Memory Loss or Blackouts
People who get roofied commonly black out and experience memory loss that makes it impossible to remember what happened in the hours after they were drugged. After they regain consciousness, they may only remember what happened before they became incapacitated.
Confusion or Disorientation
Roofies can cause disorientation and confusion that can persist even after a victim regains consciousness, especially if they suffered seizures while they were drugged.
Difficulty Speaking or Slurred Speech
Because roofies affect your central nervous system, they can affect the motor coordination of the muscles you use to communicate, cursing labored and slurred speech.
Being roofied can also cause drastic changes in behavior, such as:
Unusual Mood Swings
If you notice that you or someone you’re with starts acting strange without warning, roofies may be to blame. These drugs can cause everything from fear and paranoia to euphoria that comes on quickly as the drug takes effect, especially if it was mixed with alcohol. Since roofies can alter a person’s experience of reality, it can be difficult to adapt to new circumstances.
Roofies can also alter behavior after people regain consciousness, especially if they feel that something bad happened. Symptoms that resemble post-traumatic stress disorder can make it difficult to communicate with and relate to others at work and school.
Impaired Coordination
Date rape drugs can cause muscle relaxation and a loss of muscle control, leading to symptoms that resemble extreme drunkenness. Stumbling, falling, impaired coordination, and feelings of paralysis can all be signs of getting roofied.
What to Do if You Suspect You’ve Been Roofied
When you suspect that you or someone you’re with has been roofied or experienced spiking, seek safety right away. Stay where you are with friends or move to a safe, visible place nearby unless there’s an immediate threat. Don’t try to drive, as the ingestion of these drugs can cause impairment and lower your inhibitions. It may also help to drink water to try to flush the drug out of the body, but avoid eating—some foods could make your symptoms worse.
If you feel that you may become incapacitated, call 911 for emergency services or have friends take you to the emergency room right away. Request a healthcare provider to administer a rape kit if you suspect sexual violence may have occurred. The sooner you get tested for unwanted drugs in your system, the faster you can get medical care and prevent a negative outcome. It’s easy to lose consciousness quickly after getting roofied, so it’s imperative to take action. Trying to sleep off roofies can be dangerous because they can cause an overdose if they interact badly with other drugs.
Once you’ve received medical help from medical professionals, it’s a good idea to file a police report if you feel safe enough to do so. Disclose when and where you think you were roofied so that they can ask witnesses or staff if they saw anything strange going on. Clubs, bars, and public events may have video footage police can check to try and identify your assailant. Follow up to make sure the authorities are working on your case.
For additional support, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at RAINN (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) for confidential help and guidance. They can assist you with resources for reporting the assault, obtaining medical care, and navigating the aftermath of sexual violence.
Preventative Measures and Safety Tips
The thought of getting roofied can be scary and hard to contemplate, but being informed and aware can decrease your chances of becoming a victim. To reduce your risk when you’re out and about, follow these tips:
Use Drink Covers and Testing Kits
When you’re drinking in a mixed crowd, always keep watch as your drink is prepared, then cover your drink when you get it. At the least, you can place a napkin or your hand over the top, but you can also use a drink cover for extra protection. Though they’re not entirely foolproof, drink coverings and testing kits can reduce your risk of getting roofied. Some companies make coasters you can place over your drink that will change color if they come into contact with ketamine or GHB, though they do not detect Rohypnol. Other vendors make cards or test strips that will change color if they interact with date rape drugs.
Keep an Eye on Your Drink
Always keep your drink covered when you’re socializing and carry it with you when you move to a different area. Don’t leave it unattended or let someone else hold it for you.
Never Take a Drink from a Stranger
If someone you don’t know offers you a drink, turn them down politely. Always take your drink directly from the bartender or host, or pour it yourself. Avoid drinks from punch bowls or communal containers, as they can be easily spiked.
Drink from Freshly Opened Bottles
Sometimes, people spike entire bottles of alcohol with drugs, so try to drink from newly-opened bottles or from bottles at reputable venues that always stay in plain sight. This helps minimize the risk of spiking.
Keep Your Friends Close
When you’re going out to party, it’s best to meet up with a trusted friend or family member so you can watch out for each other. If you notice that someone in your group is feeling strange, unwell, or extremely intoxicated and you think they may have been drugged, seek medical attention immediately. Helping a loved one can make all the difference.
Check Out the Venue Before You Go
If you’re heading to a new or unfamiliar place, check social media forums and ask around to learn if the venue has a bad reputation or is known for being dangerous.
Use Common Sense and Trust Your Gut
The best way to prevent getting roofied is to stay cautious. Sip your drink slowly, and stop drinking it if it looks or tastes strange. If you feel off even the next day, seek medical advice or drug testing to ensure your safety.
Party Safely With Help From Garden State Treatment Center
When you’re out having a good time, remember to take every precaution to stay safe. Share what you know with your friends so that everyone can look out for each other. If you do get drug-facilitated or your drink is spiked, seek help immediately, and remember that having your drink tampered with is not your fault. If you’re unfortunate enough to experience drugging, assault, or substance abuse related to prescription drugs or other substances, Garden State Treatment Center can provide the addiction treatment and support you need. They also help address any side effects or long-term effects that may arise from the incident. Additionally, they offer drug testing services to monitor your recovery journey and ensure your mental health and well-being are prioritized. Whether it involves prescription medication misuse or other substances, Garden State Treatment Center can help you recover and get back to living a normal, happy life.
Published on: 2024-10-24
Updated on: 2024-10-26
