When we hear the name Rohypnol, we think “date rape” drug. Drugs like Rohypnol, GHB, and Ketamine are also abused knowingly. Date rape drugs are illegal and can be used to incapacitate someone so sexual assault is easier. When someone is roofied, they will have no idea. These drugs are colorless with no smell and no taste, which has made it effective in victimizing people. When victims of the date rape drug are given enough, they will pass out completely. Taking date rape drugs recreationally is a different experience. With the right doses, users will enjoy a high that doesn’t cause them to become incapacitated. These drugs are similar to other drugs that have been widely abused. Rohypnol is a benzodiazepine like Valium. GHB is a psychoactive drug which gives an effect of feeling relaxed. Ketamine is an anesthetic used in hospitals, giving one a very relaxed feeling. These drugs may have been dubbed date rape drugs but they are much more commonly abused.
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Rohypnols Drug
People would believe that Rohypnol is only used as a roofie. The U.S. Department of Justice say that two-thirds of young adults aged 18-25 will abuse Rohypnol. It’s easy to obtain in clubs and college parties. While some may result in a victim being roofied, largely, partiers are taking it for themselves. Rohypnol abuse is a serious problem beyond being a date rape drug. It is addictive, being a potent benzodiazepine. As a benzo drug, it is a central nervous system depressant. It can be used to reduce anxiety. When someone takes Rohypnol, it slows down their heart rate, breathing rhythm and thinking.
Rohypnol Abuse and Addiction
Physical dependence to Rohypnol is severe. This may come as a surprise to some as there is little education out there about how abusable Rohypnol is. Even quitting cold turkey is a bad idea. It is often recommended to do a medically supervised taper method because of the intense withdrawal symptoms. Seizures and psychosis can occur during Rohypnol withdrawal. Rohypnol is both physically and psychologically addictive. Rohypnol abuse often comes with combining other substance to make the effect stronger. Some will use it to manage the after effect of cocaine, amphetamines or ecstasy. Rohypnol tolerance come quickly, it can take just a few weeks to be fully addicted to it. Rohypnol is used for a variety of reasons, it’s easy to get and cheap to buy.
Rohypnol Side Effects
The side effects of Rohypnol are so intense because it’s a tranquilizer. It’s ten times more potent than Valium and causes major sedative effects. This is why people use it to roofie victims for sexual assaults. They become completely unable to resist any advances. This paralyzing feeling is why people also choose to abuse Rohypnol. The effects start to kick in about 30 minutes after taking the pill. The symptoms will peak after 2 hours and can continue on for up to 12 hours. Some people on a Rohypnol high will lie on the floor with their eyes open. They can take in the events happening around them but they literally can’t move. Memory is impaired and it’s difficult to recount any of the events during the high. Common Rohypnol side effects include:
- Loss of muscle control.
- Loss of memory.
- Drowsiness.
- Confusion.
- Rapid mood swings.
- Vomiting.
- Social Isolation.
When someone abuses Rohypnol, they can become panicked over their experience. Even if nothing happened, they are afraid of the thoughts they have and their lack of control. Long term effects of Rohypnol abuse can cause physical and psychological dependence, cardiovascular collapse and death.
The Rohypnol High
Rohypnol is often taken with other substance and is known as the perfect potentiator. Users say when you take it with alcohol, you’ll feel drunker. When smoked with marijuana, you’ll feel more out of it. Amphetamines and psychedelics can be pronounced when combined with Rohypnol also. The feeling as a whole is warm and fuzzy, anxiety is reduced and euphoric feelings are high. Rohypnol is said to negate the coming down of ecstasy so the terrible crash isn’t as hard. Its sedative effects help to prevent any emotional trauma that usually happens when coming down from certain drugs. Inhibitions will be reduced and it becomes difficult to make good judgments. Some of the symptoms of a Rohypnol high can include:
- Aggressiveness.
- Excited behavior.
- Confusion.
- Sleepiness.
- Sedated feeling.
- Slurred speech.
- Weak feeling.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Headaches.
- Reduced heart rate.
- Potentially, death.
Rohypnol Withdrawal
If someone is chronically using Rohypnol, it will take more and more of the drug to get the high they’re after. This leads to Rohypnol dependence and if they try to stop, they will experience uncomfortable and even dangerous withdrawal symptoms. As Rohypnol is a benzodiazepine, it can be much like alcohol withdrawal. There is the possibility of tremors, convulsions, and hallucinations. Common Rohypnol Withdrawal Symptoms can include:
- Muscle pain and tension.
- Headaches.
- Body numbness.
- Tingling extremities.
- Delirium.
- Disassociation of self (a lack of awareness of reality).
- State of shock.
- Cardiovascular distress.
- Seizures that can last for up to one week after usage.
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GHB Drug
GHB liquid (Gamma Hydroxybutyrate) is known as a club or date rape drug. It is a central nervous system depressant which is commonly abused by young people when they’re partying or raving. The GHB high can create a greater sex drive, gives the user feelings of euphoria and makes one feel tranquil. What is gamma hydroxybutyric acid used for? Xyrem is the prescription drug approved by the FDA for treating narcolepsy. It is highly regulated in the U.S. as a Schedule III controlled substance. The restricted program in which patients can access it involves enrollment. GHB is also something that is naturally found in the brain. It is a metabolite that has much lower concentrations in us.
The GHB High
The GHB high is usually taken by clubbers and street names include:
- Gamma-OH.
- Liquid E.
- Georgia Home Boy.
- Scoop.
- Everclear.
- Organic Quaalude.
- G-Riffick.
The reason GHB abuse is so prevalent in the clubbing scene is because of the euphoric feelings one gets. It increases how social people are, removing inhibitions. It has been compared to Ecstasy. Reports have found that it increases sexual desire and performance.
GHB Side Effects
Small doses of GHB make a user feel relaxed. Doses even a little bit larger can lead to disorientation and dizziness. A larger dose can lead to nausea, vomiting, and muscle spasms. There have been 72 deaths related to GHB in the U.S alone. A GHB overdose causes memory loss, clinical comatose, or death. Negative side effects which is reported by a high percentage of users include:
- Nausea.
- Hallucinations.
- Amnesia.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Sweating.
It takes up to 20 minutes for the drug to kick in. The GHB high lasts for up to four hours but could be extended when combined with other drugs similar to its nature. People will often feel playful and relaxed. The negative GHB side effects include:
- Loss of coordination.
- Headaches and nausea.
- Drowsiness.
- Inability to concentrate.
- Inability to remember moments which is why GHB is sometimes used as a date rape drug.
- Decreased heart rate.
- Loss of self-control.
- Speech may become slurred.
- Seizures.
- Inability to move.
- Coma.
- Death.
Using it often and for long periods can create tolerance and GHB dependence.
GHB Abuse and Addiction
GHB addiction is a risk when taking the drug often. The withdrawal symptoms tend to last up to two weeks and can be severe. GHB dependency happens quickly and there are many dangers to building up tolerance and abusing it regularly. It is extremely dangerous when combined with other substances which is common practice among the party scene. Treatment for GHB addiction is the same as anti-seizure medications to help people detox. This is because GHB doesn’t have its own standard protocols for treatment as of yet. The body’s dependency on GHB causes a rapid rise in blood pressure when an addict abstains. Using it over a long period leads to the development of certain levels of tolerance, as well as GHB dependence no matter the routine at which the drug is taken.
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Ketamine (Special K Drug)
Ketamine uses are mainly anesthetic within a medical setting. It can provide relaxation as well as relieve pain for animals or humans. It is strictly monitored as a Class III scheduled drug. It is legal within the hospital environment as an anesthetic. As a commonly abused party drug, it causes hallucinations. The person will experience dissociative effects in their environment and may feel heavily sedated. The ketamine drug is being used to treat depression in some cases but this is “off-label.” While it is considered safe within a medical practice, the potential for ketamine abuse is there. When used outside of what is approved for, there are dangerous mental and physical health effects. To use it for a long period of time can cause tolerance and psychological addiction. Long term side effects can occur such as permanent psychosis.
Ketamine Abuse and Addiction
Ketamine addiction is both physical and psychological. Users of ketamine will start to experience drug cravings. When one tries to stop taking ketamine, they will experience withdrawal symptoms. Most psychoactive drugs aren’t considered addictive but ketamine has shown there is serious dependency that can occur. Ketamine addiction is mainly psychological as opposed to physical but that doesn’t make it easier to recover from.
Ketamine Withdrawal Symptoms
Ketamine withdrawal symptoms are usually not physical but it’s still challenging to stop using it cold turkey. The nature of the psychological withdrawal symptoms make it hard to want to remain sober. The only method of getting through ketamine withdrawal is abstinence. The symptoms include:
- Seeing double.
- Losing the ability to hear.
- A racing heartbeat and rapid breathing.
- Loss of motor skills.
- Depression.
The Ketamine High
Ketamine is one of the most commonly used illicit drugs in the US. Ketamine can be snorted or swallowed as a powder. It can be injected when someone has Ketamine liquid. The high will start between 2 to 10 minutes of taking it. It is short lasting compared to the other known date rape drugs. The Ketamine high lasts for an average of an hour though the effects can occur for up to three hours. Ketamine will cause hallucinations and users will fall into a dissociated state. They will experience stimuli like sights and sounds that aren’t actually there. It can be similar to LSD. Perception is distorted. Once the user has gotten past the agitated phase of the ketamine high, they will begin to feel very calm and relaxed. There will be a sedated feeling so users will not be very communicative.
Ketamine Negative Side Effects
Not only are there negative side effects while high on ketamine, there are some serious health risks. Here are some of the common negative side effects:
- Confusion.
- Unable to move.
- Feeling of helplessness.
- Numbness in the body.
- Rigid muscles (hypertonia).
- Respiratory depression.
- Aggressive/violent behavior.
- Vomiting and nausea which can become dangerous due to a person’s inability to move. There is the potential of choking on their own vomit.
- A person may become unresponsive and enter a dream-like state. This sedated state is called a k-hole which is dangerously close to overdosing on ketamine.
Rohypnol, GHB, and ketamine have been well-known as date rape drugs. They do pose a more serious problem for young people however. All of these drugs are being used recreationally and causing issues like overdose, long term physical effects, and addiction. They are potent drugs that can easily be overdone. It doesn’t take long to form dependence to them and they seem to be readily available for very little money. They can be used as a date rape drug but they pose a major threat to those who knowingly take it for the high as well. Professional detox and rehabilitation is often the best way to stop abusing the likes of these three widely abused drugs.