Rohypnol addiction and use is a serious issue in the U.S. Even though the drug’s use and prescription are illegal, the drug has found its way to the country through trafficking and smuggling means.
While several individuals suffer from Rohypnol addiction, one of its most common uses is as a roofie by sexual predators to incapacitate victims.
Read on as we discuss the drug’s formulation, abuse methods, effects, signs of abuse, and legal implications.
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Brief Overview of Rohypnol
Rohypnol is a brand name for the drug flunitrazepam, which is classed under benzodiazepines. This puts it under a similar grouping of other high-risk medications, like Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin.
That said, Rohypnol is a type of central nervous system (CNS) antidepressant that works by slowing down your brain function. Subsequently, it’s primarily prescribed in other countries to patients experiencing insomnia and anxiety.
The drug has muscle-relaxant and sedative properties. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Rohypnol was never formally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Despite that, the drug is still highly accessible and inexpensive.
In terms of its origin, Rohypnol was initially synthesized in 1975 in Switzerland for medical purposes. Its misuse became widespread in Europe, particularly by sexual predators trying to drug victims.
In addition, Rohypnol goes by several street names, such as La Rocha, Forget Pill, Forget-Me Pill, Lunch Money, Mind Eraser, and Mexican Valium.
Prevalence of Rohypnol
Initially, the drug was used in the U.S. during the 1990s to counterbalance the effects of hard drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine.
Nowadays, Rohypnol is popularly found and used in clubs and raves. Most of the individuals who use the drug are between the ages of 13 and 30. Rohypnol users are also mostly male.
Following the University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future Survey, results have found that over 2% of high school seniors in the country in 2015 used the Forget-Me pill at least once. Fortunately, that number decreased to less than 1% in 2023.
Other harrowing statistics have shown that one in three men in college said they’d use Rohypnol to help them with a date rape if they wouldn’t get caught after.
How Does Rohypnol Affect the Brain?
Our brains are composed of a complex network of neurons that transmit messages to each other. Neurotransmitters function as the messengers between these neurons. One of them is the Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter.
It functions by slowing down the communication between neurons, creating a calming effect in your brain. Here’s where Rohypnol serves its purpose. The drug further activates GABA, pushing the calming effects even more, leading to drowsiness.
How Is Rohypnol Abused?
Those suffering from Rohypnol substance abuse may swallow the drug’s tablet form. Alternatively, they’ll crush the tablets and snort the powder for a stronger “high” effect.
Aside from that, one of Rohypnol’s popular uses is on victims of sexual assault, which is why it’s often nicknamed the date rape drug. The depressant is used as roofies to incapacitate victims. Assaulters typically mix the drug’s powder form into an unsuspecting victim’s drink.
Since some forms of Rohypnol are undetectable by taste or color when mixed with an alcoholic drink, victims are often unaware that they’re being targeted. Nowadays, manufacturers produce the drug as a green tablet with a special dye that turns any liquid it’s dissolved into blue.
That way, it’ll be detectable by any potential victims. Nonetheless, its white undetectable form is still widely available, making the threat still prevalent.
How Is Rohypnol Obtained?
Since it’s not officially prescribed in the U.S. Rohypnol is typically obtained through illicit means. Dealers smuggle the illegal drug through trafficked shipments from overseas.
Someone struggling with Rohypnol abuse will likely ask for it in clubs or through word of mouth. With the increase of dark web drug trafficking, individuals can purchase the “roofie” drug online and have it shipped to their mailbox.
What Are the Legal Implications of Rohypnol Use?
As per the DEA, Rohypnol is classified under Schedule IV of the Controlled Substance Act, grouping it with other drugs, like Ambien and Tramadol.
On top of that, the 1996 Drug-Induced Rape Prevention Act has put forth more legal action against the drug, due to its prominence as a roofie.
If someone gets caught with Rohypnol, they’ll either receive a fine or get three years in jail. Meanwhile, those who import or distribute the drug could face up to 20 years of jail time.
Side Effects of Rohypnol Addiction
Also categorized under “club drugs,” Rohypnol carries several damaging side effects to those suffering from substance abuse as well as victims of assault. These can include:
- Sedation
- Muscle relaxation
- Impaired judgment
- Memory loss
- Slurred speech
- Confusion
- Slowed breathing
- Aggression
- Impaired motor function
- Blackouts
- Excitability
- Headaches
On top of these short-term effects, long-term use of Rohypnol can lead to psychological and physical dependence, cardiovascular collapse, and, in extreme cases, death.
Signs of Rohypnol Addiction
As with most addictive drugs, frequent intake of Rohypnol will cause dependence. Consequently, your body will develop a tolerance for the usual dosage you take. You’ll need a higher dose to achieve the desired euphoric feeling.
Those struggling with Rohypnol addiction will attempt to find other means to get more of the drug. This could sound familiar to a loved one’s behavioral patterns. If you suspect that they’re dealing with substance abuse, here are other signs to monitor:
- Neglecting day-to-day responsibilities
- Failing class
- Aggressive behavior
- Increased apathy towards loved ones
- Lowered inhibitions
- Prolonged sleeping
- Forgetfulness
Rohypnol Withdrawal Symptoms
Once someone suffering from Rohypnol drug addiction ceases their intake, they’ll likely develop withdrawal symptoms soon after.
- Muscle pain
- Shock
- Loss of identity
- Convulsions
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
On top of these withdrawal symptoms, someone struggling with the drug abuse can experience seizures during the first week after stopping Rohypnol intake, as per the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Rohypnol Addiction Treatment
Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options you or your loved one can enroll in to recover from Rohypnol addiction.
Detox
The detoxification process involves clearing your body of the drug entirely. During that time, you’ll experience acute withdrawal symptoms that are best supervised by a medical professional.
They’ll likely allow you or your loved one to undergo a tapered detox program that’ll gradually decrease dosage rather than abruptly stop using the drug. That way, it’ll minimize the risk of serious withdrawal symptoms, like convulsions and violent muscle contractions.
Inpatient Treatment Program
An inpatient program entails staying at an addiction treatment center as a resident to receive 24/7 supervision from medical personnel.
During residency, patients will attend group and individual therapy sessions. Psychologists assigned will likely treat you or your loved one with certain therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Outpatient Treatment Program
Outpatient treatment allows patients to stay in their homes. They’ll attend group and individual therapy sessions at an addiction treatment facility.
It’s ideal for those with family, career, or school commitments. Some patients even stay in sober living homes while undergoing the outpatient treatment program.
To Conclude
Rohypnol’s prevalence among college campuses implicates greater issues of growing sexual assault. According to studies, over 15% of college freshmen young women have been raped while incapacitated by drugs.
Besides that, several college students have also fallen victim to Rohypnol abuse, further addressing the mounting issue of substance addiction.
If you or someone you know is struggling with Rohypnol addiction in the Long Island region, don’t hesitate to contact Long Island Treatment Center. The facility will provide you with several treatment options tailored to your lifestyle and needs to ensure a successful recovery.