Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) is a nervous system depressant that many people have used and abused to take advantage of someone. While this was not its intended use, many people have misused it to sexually assault someone. This drug has often been slipped into people’s drinks and beverages while they were unaware. Users under the influence of Flunitrazepam experience side effects such as; muscle relaxation, unconsciousness, amnesia, confusion, drowsiness, headaches, tremors, and even aggressive behavior. The effects of this drug can last up to twelve hours or even more. If ingested with another depressant mixed with alcohol, the end result can be death.
Is Flunitrazepam Legal?
When Flunitrazepam was first created, it was a white caplet that was odourless, tasteless, and easily dissolved in drinks without any signs that it was there, making it uncomplicated for predators to slip it in the victim’s drink. Now, it has been improved and made into a green oval tablet that when dissolved turns liquids blue, thus giving the victim a clear sign that someone tried to drug them. Unfortunately, predators can still use the substance in darker coloured drinks, and or beverages. Though this drug is legal in many countries, it is illegal in the United States. It is legal in Mexico and parts of Europe and prescribed to patients who have trouble sleeping and it also assists anaesthesia before a major operation.
People that use Flunitrazepam in the United States use it illegally. Rohypnol was initially prescribed as a sedative-hypnotic tranquilliser created by a Swiss pharmaceutical company called Hoffman-La Roche.
In the UK, Flunitrazepam is one of the specified limit drugs that is covered under the the 2015 Drug Driving laws. The blood concentrations limit for the drug, under this law, is 300. μg/L
Flunitrazepam Drug Test Kit
Testing for Flunitrazepam using a drug test kit is fairly straightforward. Both urine and saliva drug test kits are available that will check for the presence of the drug.
We offer a urine drug test for Flunitrazepam as a single drug test kit. This kit checks for Benzodiazepines, as Flunitrazepam is a drug of this type.
A multi drug test such as our 7 drug test or 18 drug test would also detect the drug as well as others at the same time.
We also offer a saliva drug test that detects 7 types of drugs from one oral fluid sample. This would also detect Flunitrazepam as it is a Benzodiazepine drug.
Terms for Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)
There are many terms people use for this substance such as the ones listed below:
• Forget Pill
• Lunch Money
• LA Rochas
• Mind Erasers
• Mexican Valium
• R-2
• Poor Man’s Quaalude
• Roach
• Roches
• Rib
• Roach-2
• Roopies
• Roofies
• Rope
• Whiteys
• Trip-and-Fall
Methods of Ingestion
While there are many forms of ingestion, it is mostly taken orally but people have come up with different ways of ingestion such as; being crushed and snorted, dissolving and injecting it, or sprinkled on marijuana and smoking it. People that voluntarily use the drug may consume it without knowing all the effects it may have on them. Some of the effects of Flunitrazepam are similar to being wasted from alcohol but a lot stronger. This type of drug is common among high school students and college students. While it may take the edge off and bring relaxation, people that ingest it are at risk of becoming victims of sexual assault whether male or female. Once under the influence, you become unaware of your surroundings and when the drug wares off, there’s no telling what happened while you were under the influence. Users who abuse of the drug end up ingesting a higher dosage than what is required to feel the full effects again.
Withdrawal Symptoms Reliever
Some people that are highly addicted to cocaine or heroin and wish to give it up, will use Flunitrazepam to calm the withdrawal symptoms temporarily but in the long run they end up being addicted to either one substance or both.
While Rohypnol was created as a sedative-hypnotic drug, people have abused of its affect to prey on innocent people and take advantage of them. This substance is powerful drug that can become additive if it is often consumed.
Dangers of Black Market Flunitrazepam
Flunitrazepam purchased illegally through black market and criminal sources can pose even greater risks than the pharmaceutical version of the drug. Street Rohypnol is often produced in unsanitary clandestine labs without quality control or regulation. This can lead to tablets being improperly dosed, mislabeled, or contaminated with other unknown substances. Taking black market Flunitrazepam of unknown purity or origin significantly increases the danger of overdose and adverse effects. The amnesia from the drug also makes it difficult for medical staff to treat overdoses, as the user cannot report what substances they actually ingested.
Long-Term Effects of Abuse
While meant for short-term use, continued abuse of Flunitrazepam can lead to both psychological and physical dependence. With regular use, tolerance builds rapidly, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects. Stopping suddenly can produce withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, muscle cramping, tremors, and seizures. Long-term use also causes impairment to memory, cognition, and motor skills that may persist months after quitting the drug. Studies have shown abusers demonstrate issues with verbal learning and memory for greater than 6 months of abstinence.
Signs of Rohypnol Abuse
Spotting abuse of Rohypnol can be difficult due to the amnesia it produces, but there are still common signs:
- Confusion, drowsiness, slurred speech
- Aggression or sudden mood changes
- Loss of inhibitions, impaired judgement
- Memory loss or blackouts
- Dizziness, loss of coordination and motor control
- Respiratory depression or slowed breathing
Finding tablets or powders along with the presence of these symptoms likely indicates Flunitrazepam abuse. The quicker it is identified, the sooner steps can be taken to provide help and avoid further health consequences.
Addiction Support Options
Ending a Flunitrazepam addiction requires professional treatment and a tapering schedule to safely clear it from the body. Medical detox provides 24/7 support to manage withdrawal and drug cravings. Inpatient rehab and outpatient programs offer counseling for the psychological aspects of addiction. Peer support groups provide ongoing assistance and community after rehab. Stopping Rohypnol abuse can feel daunting, but there are many resources available to help anyone committed to getting clean.
Photo Credit: “Pilllzzzz” (CC BY 2.0) by Janels Katlaps
Zoom Testing is a leading UK drug testing company and a supplier of Drug Test Kits.
