When you wake up, you might notice that you have no memory of the night before despite drinking very little. 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. It’s important to seek help from trusted and supportive friends, family, and therapists after an assault. Personal or group therapy for trauma survivors can provide stability, peace, and healing after the event, so you can enjoy your life again.

Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) is a prescription benzodiazepine—a type of tranquilizer with sedative and hypnotic properties that can induce amnesia and loss of consciousness when taken with alcohol. It’s also called roofies, la rocha, roche, R2, rope, Mexican Valium, circles, and the forget-me pill. Doctors in countries outside the United States sometimes administer Rohypnol as anesthesia before surgery. Rohypnol is easily dissolved and known for being undetectable in drinks, but newer versions of the drug can leave a bluish tint in light-colored drinks.

Yes, trauma can sometimes lead to substance use as a coping mechanism, increasing addiction risk. Seeking professional help through therapy and addiction treatment programs can offer healthier coping skills and support. Have you or someone you know going through the pain of getting roofied? Our caring team specializes in addressing the emotional, physical, and psychological consequences of drug-related abuse.

• You are not alone, and there are people who can assist you through this challenging experience.
• Check-in with trusted friends or family members who can bring you to doctor’s appointments, help with day-to-day tasks, and help keep your spirits up.
• Feeling extremely drunk, even after little or no alcohol Drugs that are used to roofie people can often mimic the symptoms of being blackout drunk.
• If you don’t know who to go to, or how you’ll afford therapy, call your local rape crisis center.

Can trauma from being roofied lead to addiction?

However, it’s more common for victims to experience psychological issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. This can lead to struggling with work and school obligations, an inability to form and maintain positive relationships and using drugs and/or alcohol to self-medicate. However, it’s more common for victims to experience psychological issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Because of the powerful effects of these drugs, many people don’t realize they’ve been roofied until the next day.

We do not receive any fee or commission dependent upon which treatment or provider a caller chooses. Calls to numbers marked with (I) symbols will be answered or what to do if you think you got roofied returned by one of the treatment providers listed in our Terms and Conditions, each of which is a paid advertiser. If you feel unsure or uncomfortable, it’s important to prioritize your well-being. Trying to ignore the experience or pretend it didn’t happen can make the symptoms much worse and last longer.

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. 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. Currently based in Nashua, NH, Dr. Cohen is affiliated with Saint Joseph Hospital, where he provides comprehensive care focusing on both internal medicine and addiction treatment. His expertise includes prevention, diagnosis, and management of adult diseases, as well as specialized care for individuals facing substance use disorders.

What Does a Roofied Drink Look Like?

The appearance of these symptoms is often fast, and without proper medical attention, the victim can be at serious risk. Recognizing the signs early and acting quickly can prevent further harm. Society must support more proactive prevention strategies, honest communication, and awareness-raising campaigns if it is to properly solve the issue of being roofied.

Finding Expert Help for Roofied Abuse? Call GBAC!

• If you suspect you’ve been drugged, seek immediate medical care, contact a trusted friend, and ensure your safety.
• Our Addiction Treatment Programs address both the trauma and any resulting substance use, ensuring a holistic approach to recovery.
• The drug that has been slipped into your drink can cause nausea, especially when you’ve been drinking.
• Getting involved with therapy and support groups can help victims recover faster and more fully from the trauma of their experience.

So, what should you do if you suspect something was slipped into your drink, or your friend’s? 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. Being roofied is a deeply traumatic experience, but recovery is possible with the right support. If this experience has led to substance misuse or emotional distress, Greater Boston Addiction Centers is here to help. Our comprehensive services, including Addiction Treatment Programs and Addiction Therapy Programs, are designed to support you every step of the way.

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. If you were at a bar, club, or public event, the police may be able to check the video footage to try to identify the perpetrator. If you suspect you’ve been roofied, prioritize your safety by seeking immediate medical attention and contacting local authorities.

Direct Impacts: Symptoms of Being Roofied

“These drugs can also dull your sense of hearing, making it more difficult to know what is happening around you or what is being said to you,” she explained. 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.

Traces of Rohypnol leave the body very quickly, making it difficult to be detected in most standard drug tests. Urine samples need to be collected in just 72 hours and saliva and drug tests are normally ineffective in under 24 hours. More elaborate hair follicle testing can be conducted after 72 hours but may produce a false-positive result if other benzodiazepines are present in the system. It is also important not to wash yourself or any clothing from the night before to avoid damaging potential evidence.

Whether you decide to undergo an exam or not, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about emergency contraception, STI testing and post-exposure prophylaxis. Once you have all the information you need, you can make an informed decision about your next steps. Instead, try to stay in a public place while you wait for the ambulance to arrive. If you’re with friends, alert them so they can keep an eye on you and intervene if necessary. Read here to find out more about how long drugs and alcohol stay in your system.

If interaction with first responders is required, describe what you know they have consumed and accurately estimate your friend’s alcohol consumption. Rohypnol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, which means that if you have been roofied you will often feel overly relaxed, sleepy, disorientated, and calm. However, this is not a reliable way to tell whether your drink has spiked. Anyone can be vulnerable to roofies, no matter their gender, size, or alcohol tolerance.

It could also simply mean monitoring you while the drug wears off, or connecting you with mental health providers who can help you deal with any emotional fallout from the experience. If you experience any of these signs or symptoms after consuming a drink, it’s crucial to seek help immediately. Contact a trusted friend, leave the environment if possible, and seek medical attention.

Ask them not to leave you alone and to stay with you until you feel better. If you believe you were roofied or you know that someone slipped something into your drink, call emergency services to report the crime. Understanding the what and how of “date rape drugs” improves your odds of avoiding it. Psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD, explains what roofies are, how to spot them in action and what to do if you or somebody you know is drugged. Drugs like Rohypnol, GHB, and ketamine are the most commonly used date-rape drugs, but it’s hard to know exactly how commonly they are used because many cases go unreported.