Rohypnol
Rohypnol® is a trade name for flunitrazepam, a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that is part of the benzodiazepine class of drugs. Like other benzodiazepines, Rohypnol® produces sedative hypnotic, antianxiety and muscle relaxant effects. This drug has never been approved for medicinal use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration. Rohypnol® is smuggled into the United States from other countries, such as Mexico. It is a Schedule IV substance under the Controlled Substance Act. Rohypnol® is not approved for manufacture, sale, use or importation in or to the United States. It is legally manufactured and marketed in many other countries. Penalties for possession, trafficking and distribution involving one gram or more are the same as those of a Schedule I drug.
Outside the United States, Rohypnol® is commonly prescribed to treat insomnia. Since it possesses such intense sedative affects it has been misused physically and psychologically incapacitate women targeted for sexual assault. The drug is usually placed in the alcoholic drink of an unsuspecting victim to incapacitate them and prevent resistance to sexual assault. In addition the drug also leaves the victim unaware of what has happened to them. This is where Rohypnol® earned itself the name “The Date Rape” drug. In the past, Rohypnol® was manufactured as a white tablet (0.5-2 milligrams per tablet) and when mixed in drinks, was colorless, tasteless and odorless. In 1997, the manufacturer responded to concerns about the drug’s role in sexual assaults by reformulating the drug. Rohypnol® is now manufactured as an oblong olive green tablet with a speckled blue core that when dissolved in light-colored rinks will dye the liquid blue. However, generic versions of the drug may not contain the blue dye.
Rohypnol® tablets can be swallowed whole, crushed and snorted or dissolved in liquid. Adolescents may abuse Rohypnol® to produce a euphoric effect often described as a “high.” While high, individuals experience reduced inhibitions and impaired judgment. It is also abused in combination with alcohol to produce an intensified high. Rohypnol® abuse may be associated with polysubstance abuse. For example, cocaine addicts may use benzodiazepines such as Rohypnol® to relieve the side effects (e.g., irritability and agitation) associated with extended cocaine use.
Like other benzodiazepines, Rohypnol® slows down the functioning of the CNS by producing drowsiness (sedation), sleep (pharmacological hypnosis), decreased anxiety and amnesia (no memory of events while under the influence of the substance). Rohypnol® can also cause increased or decreased reaction time, impaired mental functioning and judgment, confusion, aggression and excitability. Adverse physical effects include slurred speech, loss of motor coordination, weakness, headache and respiratory depression. Rohypnol® also can produce physical dependence when taken regularly over a period of time. High doses of Rohypnol® particularly when combined with other CNS depressant drugs (e.g., alcohol and heroin) can cause severe sedation, unconsciousness, slow heart rate and suppression of respiration which may be sufficient to result in death.
Street names of Rohypnol include: Circles, Forget Pill, Forget-Me-Pill, La Rocha, Lunch Money Drug, Mexican Valium, Pingus, R2, Reynolds, Roach, Roach 2, Roaches, Roachies, Roapies, Robutal, Rochas Dos, Rohypnol, Roofies, Rophies, Ropies, Roples, Row-Shay, Ruffies and Wolfies. Drugs that have similar effects include: GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) and other benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (e.g., Xanax®), clonazepam (e.g., Klonopin®), and diazepam (e.g., Valium®).
If you or someone you love has a problem with Rohypnol, call our professionals at Sobriety Resources (855)289-2640 today to experience the freedom of sobriety.
