Symptoms of Being Roofied: What Are They and What Should You Do?

This article has been reviewed for accuracy by our peer review team which includes clinicians and medical professionals. If you notice these symptoms, seek immediate help and stay away from the person you think is trying to assault you. Yet, Rohypnol’s effects can last for several hours, unlike other drugs, whose effects can last for one hour or so. Approaching a loved one about their drug use can be challenging, but it is a crucial step towards helping them find the support they need.

What Is Substance Abuse?

Other conditions, such as OCD, anorexia nervosa and exercise addiction, are manifestations of similar issues. As soon as possible, tell someone you trust or a bystander that you think you’ve been drugged, so that you can make a record of whatever you remember and get medical care, Michonski said. Certain drugs can be used to render a person unconscious, unable to resist physical contact, and even to make them violently ill or die. These drugs are often used in an effort to commit sexual assault, but they can also be used to poison a victim.

Behavioral Signs of Drug Use

And you have the right to choose who — if anyone — you have sexual contact with and under what circumstances. When an assailant spikes your drink with a roofie, they’re trying to take that freedom from you. 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.

The drug can be detected in saliva 6 hours after it’s first taken, while a blood test can show its presence 8 hours after the fact. GHB takes 12 hours to become undetectable in urine, but a hair test can show positive 30 days after it enters your system. Follow along as the experts from Sunlight Recovery outline the symptoms of being drugged and what to do if you consume a spiked drink. Third, after the filing of a police report, the police may investigate depending on the severity of the crime.

One notable exception is marijuana, which has a strong odor and a taste that is almost impossible to mask. Although anyone can get roofied, women are more likely to get roofied than men. Teens and women younger than 30 are at a higher risk than older women. Highlight the benefits of professional help, such as access to specialized knowledge, therapies, and support groups.

Psychological Signs of Drug Use

Additionally, if symptoms are severe or if there’s a risk of overdose, seek emergency medical care immediately. In social settings, particularly nightlife environments, the risk of being drugged without consent is an unfortunate reality. Understanding the symptoms of being roofied, especially with common date rape drugs like benzodiazepines (including Xanax) and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), is crucial for personal safety. Substance abuse is often linked to stress, anxiety or even depression. In 2022, 21.5 million American adults suffered from both a substance abuse disorder and a mental health disorder at the same time.

Secondly, identifying drug use helps individuals provide support and assistance to their loved ones who may be struggling with addiction. By understanding the signs, concerned family members and friends can take appropriate steps to encourage treatment and provide a supportive environment. Understanding this, and the complex interplay between substance abuse disorder and other mental health challenges, is an essential part of recovery. Since many date-rape drugs leave the body quickly — within 12 to 72 hours — it’s important to act fast. Seek care in the emergency room, preferably one that has sexual assault nurse examiners to conduct a medical forensic examination, Riviello said.

Detecting the common signs of being roofied can be confusing, especially if you’ve been drinking. However, here are some telltale signs that someone has roofied you. Drug addiction is a serious problem that can have severe consequences. It’s essential to know the signs of drug use so you can get help for yourself or someone you love.

Most of all, don’t underestimate the stress and trauma of your experience. With any luck, this practice will expand to include more of the substances commonly used to spike drinks. By staying aware of your surroundings and understanding the effects these drugs can have, you can help keep yourself and the people around you safe. The people around you are invaluable for noticing your roofie symptoms and getting you the necessary assistance, so use alcohol and other recreational drugs around people you trust. You should also have easy access to emergency contacts who can quickly aid you if you get roofied. Alcohol is the most common date rape drug because it’s involved in most spiking cases and intensifies the sedative effects of other spiking drugs.

Common Slang Names for Cocaine

Getting drugged is a horrifying experience that can turn a fun night out into a living nightmare. People who drink spiked beverages often lose control of their actions and become disoriented or black out, making them easy victims of robbery, violence and sexual assault. If you overdose or can’t protect yourself from a perpetrator, you may die from getting spiked. While your support is crucial, it’s important to acknowledge that professional help is often necessary for individuals struggling with drug use.

• Remember, early intervention can make a significant difference in helping individuals overcome addiction and regain control of their lives.
• If you suspect that someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, it is crucial to approach the situation with care, empathy, and a desire to offer support and assistance.
• If the victim still has samples of the food or drink that was allegedly drugged, she should keep them for testing to determine the truth.
• GHB takes 12 hours to become undetectable in urine, but a hair test can show positive 30 days after it enters your system.
• Lindsay Kramer is a freelance writer and editor who has been working in the legal niche since 2012.

• Encourage your loved one to seek assistance from healthcare professionals, addiction specialists, or substance abuse counselors who can provide the appropriate guidance and treatment.
• It can trigger seizures, memory loss, vision problems and loss of consciousness at higher doses.
• Her primary focus areas within this niche are family law and personal injury law.

They can also perform drug and alcohol testing using blood or urine specimens. “You can make all other decisions about reporting, pursuing an investigation later once you are medically safe and back to complete coherence,” Michonski added. 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. Frequently, these drugs can result in someone completely losing consciousness or signs youve been drugged quickly getting to a “blackout state,” Michonski said.

There are different ways to file a police report and a lot of agencies now have an online option. You could also contact your local police department and ask for an officer to respond. If there is a case of a suspected sexual assault, then police would respond. Having trouble breathing can also be a sign that you’ve been roofied. Since the drug affects your muscles and how they respond, you might not be able to breathe well, especially in crowded places. But, again, this can be the excuse your assaulter will use to get you out.

However, if a person finds themselves indulging regularly, binge drinking or concealing their behavior from loved ones, this could be a sign of an unhealthy dependency developing. Go to the emergency room or speak with your primary care provider about the incident to undergo testing and receive medication to deal with the potential health effects of the trauma. Most spiking perpetrators use colorless, odorless, tasteless drugs that quickly dissolve in water, juice or alcohol. However, learning the symptoms of the most common date rape drugs can help you tell when you’ve been drugged so you can seek help before things get worse. Drugging a person is an act of battery, even when no sexual or physical assault occurs.