What’s a Roofie?
Roofie (or roofy) is a nickname for the date rape drug called Rohypnol. Rohypnol is a benzodiazepine which is a powerful sedative and hypnotic drug which is considered illegal in the U.S. and only available via prescription for short-term use. It is sometimes also called Floonies, short for flunitrazepam and other drugs such as GHB and Ketamine, fall under the same category, all of them being widely used as date rape drugs.
At New Hope Health, we recognize the dangers of roofies, sometimes including permanent cognitive damage due to the illicit use of the drug.
What does being Roofied mean?
Being roofied is a verb form of roofie, commonly used to indicate being drugged by a roofie, or someone’s drink being spiked by a roofie without their knowledge. Roofies are commonly used in clubs, parties and raves in order to sexually assault someone without their consent.
How to know if you have been Roofied?
Some of the common signs and symptoms of being roofied are:
- Extreme brain fog
- A sense of disorientation
- Difficulty focusing
- Loss of muscle control, a feeling of being paralyzed
- Memory lapses
- Nausea
- Drowsiness, feeling of drunkenness
- Aftereffects similar to a hangover: headache, confusion, light sensitivity
How to avoid being Roofied
- Always go with a trusted friend and stay within a circle of friends
- Avoid accepting drinks from others, unless you trust them completely
- Don’t leave your drink unattended
- Carry a drink cover (there are products available) to cover your drink and use a straw instead
- Other products such as Undercover Colors and SipChip that instantly tests a drink to detect any roofies
- If you suspect being roofied seek help immediately
What to do if you suspect you were Roofied
Seek help
The best thing to do if you suspect that you have been roofied is to seek help immediately. Stay with or around people, call 911, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), call a friend you can trust, and report as many details as you can remember.
Drink water
Drinking plenty of water helps to flush out your system of the toxin.
Get a medical examination
If you suspect that you were sexually assaulted, a medical exam can help determine if you were roofied and what next steps you may be able to take.
Take an emergency contraceptive
If you discover that you have been roofied, taking an emergency contraceptive pill within 3 days of the incident may help.
Don’t shower or wash
You may want to preserve as much evidence as possible by waiting to bathe or shower until after medical examination and/or 911 examination.
Get Help Immediately
If you or a loved one has been a victim of sexual assault, it can be an extremely traumatic experience, in addition to other potential mental health issues such as cognitive aftereffects. If you need mental health assistance Call us at 865-800-0947
