Unfortunately, the date rape drugs GHB and Rohypnol are extremely common, especially in the club scene. These drugs are not only illegal; they are also potentially deadly. Being armed with knowledge about these drugs and their dangers is a good first step in protecting yourself against them.
What are GHB and Rohypnol?
GHB is short for Gamma-hydroxybutyrate. It is sold by the brand name Xyrem as a prescription for the treatment of narcolepsy. GHB is also known as G, Georgia homeboy, liquid ecstasy, goop and most appropriately, grievous bodily harm. GHB is naturally present in the brain, but in comparatively low amounts. GHB comes in liquid or powder form and can be odorless, tasteless and colorless.
Rohypnol, known by the generic pharmaceutical name flunitrazepam, is not approved for medical use or importation into the US. Rohypnol has many street names including roofies, R2, Mexican valium, forget-me pills and wolfies. Like GHB, there are odorless, tasteless and colorless forms of Rohypnol. Rohypnol is usually ingested in pill form, though it is also sometimes ground up and snorted.
Both GHB and Rohypnol are central nervous system depressants commonly used to incapacitate victims before sexual assault.
Risks
GHB can cause seizures, slow heart rate, lung failure, suppressed breathing, coma and death. Rohypnol has very similar and just as serious risks. Not only are these drugs potentially fatal, especially when combined with alcohol, but they also leave the user vulnerable. Once a victim is knocked out, an attacker can do anything to the victim.
Rohypnol and GHB are both potentially addictive. Severe GHB withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, sweating, tremors and insomnia. Continued use of Rohypnol can produce tolerance to the drug leading to dependence and addiction. If you care about a friend who has fallen victim to drug addiction, you would persuade that person to go to the nearest drug rehab center to get professional help.
Signs of Ingestion
While it can be difficult to tell the difference between intoxication and the feelings brought on by unknowingly ingesting a date rape drug, signs and symptoms to watch out for include but are not limited to:
• loss of inhibition
• blurred vision
• feeling like you are floating above your body
• loss of coordination
• difficulty speaking
• light-headedness
• drowsiness
• feeling disoriented
• nausea and vomiting
• amnesia
• paranoia
• hallucinations
• difficulty concentrating
• unconsciousness
If you experience any of these symptoms or notice them in someone else, it’s important to immediately find a safe place and get medical help.
What to Do
Because both drugs can be lethal when combined with alcohol, it’s important to get medical attention as soon as you suspect you have been dosed. Rohypnol can be treated in a medical setting through detoxification and monitoring.
While there is no test or treatment for GHB ingestion, it is important to get medical attention anyway. Other possible underlying issues can be detected and addressed, and a medical setting can provide a safe environment in which to recover.
How to Stay Safe
There are many steps you can take to stay safe. You don’t need to board yourself up at home to avoid being dosed with a date rape drug. Just keep the following safety tips in mind the next time you go out:
• Go out in groups. It’s true that there is safety in numbers. Have a designated driver, and watch out for one another. If someone is acting strangely or seems to be intoxicated out of proportion to what she’s had to drink, she may have been slipped a date rape drug.
• If you are alone and suddenly feel strange after just one sip of your drink, get help quickly.
• Watch out for any strange taste to your drink.
• Rohypnol will turn blue when dissolved in a drink, so watch out for any discoloration. However, generic Rohypnol may not turn blue, so keep this in mind.
• Never drink anything you did not open yourself or did not watch being opened or poured.
• Never accept a drink from a stranger unless the bartender is opening or pouring it and you can watch the entire time.
• Do not leave your drink unattended.
If you do find yourself in a situation where you think you may have been sexually assaulted, do not shower, change clothes or douche. Doing so may destroy evidence against your attacker. Immediately go to a hospital so that you can be examined and evidence can be gathered. Finally, be sure to get support from trusted friends and family members, and consider seeking professional counseling.
The Good News
Despite all the hype at the clubs, using GHB and Rohypnol is just plain deadly. The good news is that fewer adolescents are using the drugs recreationally. A survey conducted in 2009 by Monitoring The Future (MTF) revealed that GHB and Rohypnol use were down among the 8th, 10th and 12th graders surveyed.
Armed with the information and safety tips above, you can enjoy the club scene without fear of falling victim to a date rape drug.
This guest post article was written and provided by Gregg Gustafson who is a freelance writer and consultant for Drug-Rehab.org. Gustafson works with individuals who suffer from drug abuse, in turn referring them to some of the most prestige residential drug rehab centers active today.
