Key takeaways:
“Being roofied” means someone was given a mind-altering drug without their consent. This is often done by someone who wants to harm them, usually through sexual assault.
The drugs used to roofie someone are usually odorless, colorless, and tasteless. So it can be hard to know if they’ve been added to your drink.
Symptoms of being roofied include mental fogginess, blackouts, and difficulty moving your body. If you think you’ve been roofied, tell a friend immediately and call 911.
After a night out drinking, it might be hard to remember what happened. But if you wake up and can’t remember anything, especially if you didn’t drink very much, it’s possible your drink was drugged or “roofied.” Even if you were careful, someone can slip something into your drink without your noticing. Knowing the symptoms of being roofied can help keep you and others safe.
What does it mean to be roofied?
“Being roofied” is a slang term that describes when someone was given a drug without their knowledge. This is often done before an attempted sexual assault or rape.
What is a roofie?
The term “roofie” came about in the late 90s. Originally, it referred to a drug called Rohypnol (or flunitrazepam). This drug was also known as the “date rape” drug. It can be added to cocktails or other drinks to sedate someone without their knowledge.
Rohypnol is a type of benzodiazepine, a class of medications that can make you sleepy. It’s illegal to make or use Rohypnol in the U.S. But it’s legally made and used in other countries to treat certain conditions, like insomnia.
Nowadays, being roofied doesn’t only happen with Rohypnol. Other drugs can be used in the same way:
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is available as a liquid or powder. It’s colorless and odorless, but it can sometimes taste salty.
Ketamine, which is another odorless, colorless, and tasteless drug, is often dropped in people’s drinks as a pill that dissolves.
This isn’t a complete list. Any substance that affects your ability to think clearly or remember things can be used as a roofie. This can include substances like alcohol, marijuana, or sleeping pills.
Can you tell if you’ve been roofied?
It can be hard to know if you’ve been roofied. Many of these drugs can easily be slipped into drinks without anyone noticing. And most of them have no color, odor, or taste.
The name-brand version of Rohypnol has a blue core that dyes your drink a blue color. This safety feature was added to help people see if the drug is in their drink. But the generic version of Rohypnol is colorless. You also might not see the blue hue if it’s added to a dark drink.
Signs that your drink might have been tampered with include:
Any powder residue in your cup
Extra foam or unexpected fizziness
An unusual color
A cloudy appearance
Most of the time, you won’t be able to tell just by looking at your drink.
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It can also be hard to tell if you’ve been roofied because these substances make it hard to think clearly. If you feel way more drunk than you’d expect based on how much you’ve had, consider that someone might have slipped something into your drink. In the next section, we explain the symptoms of being roofied in greater detail.
Symptoms of being roofied
Roofie drugs are designed to make you sleepy and weak, so you don’t fight back against a potential sexual assault. They usually start working within 30 to 60 minutes. The effects may last for up to 12 hours.
If you’ve been roofied, you may experience the following symptoms:
Mental fogginess
Difficulty speaking or slurring your words
“Blacking out” or losing your memory
Trouble walking or feeling unsteady on your feet
Feeling more intoxicated than expected based on how much alcohol you drank
Passing out
Headache
Dizziness and confusion
Nausea and vomiting
Slower breathing than usual
Sometimes it’s easier to notice these signs in a friend than in yourself. It’s important to know what to look for so that you can watch out for your friends — and so they can do the same for you.
What to do if you think you’ve been roofied
If you think you or someone you know has been roofied, tell a friend and call 911 to get immediate medical attention. Symptoms can get worse quickly, so it’s important to act fast.
The medical team can help keep your breathing and blood pressure stable until the drugs leave your system. A healthcare professional can also run tests to look for substances in your blood or urine.
Rohypnol and similar drugs generally remain in your body for up to 24 hours. In some cases, they can be detected up to 30 days after exposure.
If you’re waiting for an ambulance or aren’t able to seek immediate medical attention, take the following steps:
Discard the roofied drink
Avoid drinking more alcohol
If you’re alone, contact a friend or family member for support
Tell the manager of the bar or venue
If you think you might have been sexually assaulted, you can get a sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE) within 72 hours. This exam checks for signs of assault. You can usually go to your local ER to get this done.
To find a clinic or ER that can perform this exam, you can use the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network’s (RAINN) local provider search tool.
Professionals recommend that you have the exam done before you change your clothing or shower. But if you’ve already done these things, you can still have the exam.
How to prevent being roofied
To prevent being roofied, stay aware of your surroundings and take precautions when you’re out. Here are some tips to lower your risk:
Never leave your drink unattended: Keep your drink with you at all times, even if you step away or use the bathroom.
Don’t accept drinks from strangers: Only accept drinks that you see being made, or get them directly from the bartender.
Make your own drinks: If you’re at a party, mix your own drinks to make sure nothing extra is added.
Beware of open drinks: Avoid things like punch bowls or other large, open containers where drugs can be mixed in.
Stick with your friends: Go out with friends you trust and keep an eye on each other throughout the night.
Trust your instincts: If you feel like someone is trying to push drinks on you, or something feels off, listen to your gut and put that drink away.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you think you’ve been roofied, you should seek medical attention. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, call 911 immediately:
Difficulty breathing
Extreme dizziness or lightheadedness
Passing out
Difficulty staying awake
Repeated vomiting
Feeling like your heart is beating very fast or slow
How long it takes to physically recover from being roofied depends on how much Rohypnol you ingested. If a large amount of Rohypnol was taken, you may black out for several hours. Generally, most people recover by the next morning.
But it’s impossible to put a timeline on how long it takes to recover emotionally from being roofied. Remember, it’s never your fault if you’re roofied.
If you’re roofied, you’ll likely have trouble remembering parts — or all — of the night before. You may feel confused or even frightened. It can take up to 24 hours for the substance to clear from your body, so you might feel mentally foggy or weak during that time.
Yes, if you think you’ve been roofied, you should seek medical attention. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, call 911 immediately:
Difficulty breathing
Extreme dizziness or lightheadedness
Passing out
Difficulty staying awake
Repeated vomiting
Feeling like your heart is beating very fast or slow
How long it takes to physically recover from being roofied depends on how much Rohypnol you ingested. If a large amount of Rohypnol was taken, you may black out for several hours. Generally, most people recover by the next morning.
But it’s impossible to put a timeline on how long it takes to recover emotionally from being roofied. Remember, it’s never your fault if you’re roofied.
If you’re roofied, you’ll likely have trouble remembering parts — or all — of the night before. You may feel confused or even frightened. It can take up to 24 hours for the substance to clear from your body, so you might feel mentally foggy or weak during that time.
The bottom line
No one wants to consider the possibility of being roofied. But it still happens all the time. Since these drugs are mostly tasteless, colorless, and odorless, they’re hard to detect. But knowing the symptoms and taking simple precautions can make a big difference. Keep an eye on your drink, stick with friends, and trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s better to be safe and act quickly. If you suspect you or a friend has been roofied, seek immediate medical attention.
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References
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