Whatever you choose to do is the right thing — and it’s OK for that “right thing” to change over time. Just remember that there are a lot of other people out there who’ve been through the same thing and are happy to help. If you suspect that you or a friend have been dosed with a date rape drug, it’s critical that you don’t attempt to drive. It’s equally dangerous to leave your location on foot or via public transportation. Some drugs used to spike drinks leave your system quickly, while others can linger for 12 hours or more.
- When a person gets roofied, they can become dizzy, nauseous, unconscious, and experience a loss in memory, along with many other symptoms.
- 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.
- If you notice any unusual taste or if your drink seems off, it is best to err on the side of caution.
- These drugs can induce drowsiness, relaxation of muscles, and a state of disorientation, making it difficult for the victim to function normally or even remember what happened.
- Additionally, its impact on mental health can result in depression, cognitive decline, and an increased risk of self-harm.
Understanding the what and how of “date rape drugs” improves your odds of avoiding it. Psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD, explains roofied mean what roofies are, how to spot them in action and what to do if you or somebody you know is drugged. However, when a person is roofied, they likely only had 1 or 2 drinks and don’t remember very much after that point until they have woken up.
What to Do After You’ve Been Roofied
If you ever suspect that a drink has been tampered with, it is best to leave immediately and seek help. These symptoms tend to appear quickly and are usually more intense than just normal intoxication. When someone is roofied, they might be unable to say no, leaving them exposed to further harm. Understanding what date rape is and how roofies play a role is crucial in both preventing and addressing these incidents. You can take your freedom back by responding on your terms, on your timeline and in your way.
Addiction Treatment and Emergency Care
We provide comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment, including therapy, counseling, and support groups, to help survivors heal and regain control of their lives. Stay alert, stay safe, and remember that help is available whenever you need it. The powerful sedative effects can slow your breathing and heart rate to dangerous levels, which may lead to fatal respiratory depression. Because of these risks, it is critical to always be cautious when consuming beverages in social settings and to seek immediate medical help if you suspect that you have been roofied. The duration of the side effects from roofies varies from person to person.
About Our Atlanta Drug Rehab
Yes, the trauma of being roofied can sometimes result in substance misuse as a coping mechanism. Professional treatment through programs like those offered at Greater Boston Addiction Centers can help individuals recover and heal. Recognizing the symptoms of being roofied is crucial for seeking help immediately. Symptoms can appear within minutes to an hour after ingestion, depending on the substance and dosage.
The half-life of a drug refers to the amount of time it takes for the active substance of a drug in your body to reduce by half. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to get help from someone you trust and to get to a safe space if you have been roofied. If you have been roofied, you should have someone trustworthy with you throughout the night to make sure you are okay.
Roofies can also cause a person to become incapacitated, which can put them in very dangerous situations. Other benzodiazepines and date rape drugs can also show up on a blood test panel. These kinds of tests may also detect the presence of these substances even with the presence of alcohol.
Being roofied can leave the victim with feelings of shame, paranoia, self-blame, depression, and anxiety. These symptoms can last long after the physical effects of the drink wear off and make it difficult to function in their daily life. Long-term misuse can lead to dependency, with withdrawal symptoms such as severe anxiety, tremors, and seizures. Additionally, its impact on mental health can result in depression, cognitive decline, and an increased risk of self-harm. If a person has been sexually assaulted after being spiked, they may experience depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), flashbacks, or suicidal thoughts. If you have been sexually assaulted, it is also important to seek medical help so you can get care and also take exams if you do want to report the assault.
- Keeping a close eye on your own drink is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect yourself from being roofied.
- But whether or not you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted, it’s vital that you receive medical care.
- By staying informed and taking these precautions, you can reduce your risk of being roofied and help prevent sexual assault.
- Additionally, we’ll explore how to prevent these incidents and the support systems available for survivors of drug-facilitated sexual assault.
Recovery Stories
It is particularly prevalent among college students and is often mixed with alcohol to exacerbate its effects. If you think you were the victim of a date rape drug, it is not too late to get help. You can either contact law enforcement or call the national sexual assault hotline to report the assault. If you are having difficulty reporting it, talk to a trusted friend or a therapist to receive support and advice.
Date Rape Prevention
These drugs, designed to sedate and incapacitate, are commonly used to facilitate crimes like sexual assault. Seek immediate medical help, inform someone you trust, preserve any evidence (like your drink), and report the incident to local authorities. You can protect yourself by keeping your drink in sight, staying with trusted friends, monitoring your alcohol consumption, and using safety tools like drink covers or test strips. In some cases, individuals may turn to substance use as a way to cope with the emotional aftermath. 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. If you or someone around you exhibits these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Common Drugs Used as Roofies
Although it might be tempting to just let the person sleep it off, these drugs carry serious risks. 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. Unfortunately, these drugs can result in permanent cognitive impairment in some cases, particularly if seizures occur.
These drugs are typically odorless, colorless, and tasteless, making them easy to slip into someone’s drink unnoticed. When combined with alcohol consumption, their effects are amplified, making the victim even more vulnerable. The dangers are further heightened when these drugs interact with other drugs that may already be present in the victim’s system, potentially leading to severe consequences such as overdose. This guide is meant to empower you with the knowledge of what does roofied mean, the risks involved, and the steps you can take to protect yourself and others. Since roofies can cause lasting impairment, it is important to seek medical help if you experience any lingering symptoms. Professional care is essential to ensure that no long-term harm is done and to assist in your recovery.
A roofied drink occurs when a drug has been slipped into a person’s drink without them knowing it. These effects can make it more difficult for victims to escape dangerous situations. “Roofies” contain Rohypnol or other common date-rape drugs such as gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) or ketamine. Another indicator that someone has been roofied is if they have been talking to strangers shortly before effects present themselves, especially if said strangers have bought them drinks. 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.
