When you get ready to go out and have a good time, a roofies drug is probably the last thing on your mind. Unfortunately, not thinking about it is the best way to fall victim to unscrupulous individuals looking to slip a roofies drug into someone’s drink.
Many people are familiar with what the roofies drug is and what it’s used for but beyond that they’re clueless. Life keeps people busy, and it’s easy to overlook the dangers of a roofies drug when you haven’t been affected by one.
A roofies drug is a date rape drug, and there are several facts you should be aware of before a night out on the town or a date with someone new. Here’s what you need to know.
Lacks Color, Flavor, and Odor
A roofies drug lacks color, flavor, and odor, making it easy to disguise in any drink. People often let their guard down because they aren’t drinking alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, the roofies drug can be concealed in any beverage, so you don’t have to be partying to fall victim to an unscrupulous individual slipping you a roofies drug.
The best way to protect yourself is to never accept open drinks from anyone you don’t trust. When you’re out on the town or having a good time with friends, don’t leave your drink unattended. Take it with you wherever you go. Unfortunately, the roofies drug is often used for a sexual assault perpetrated by individuals known to the assailant.
Illegal and Unregulated
The roofies drug is illegal in the United States and therefore not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. There can be no assumption of safety at all. The roofies drug is a dangerous drug that is manufactured in Europe or Mexico and smuggled into the United States. Unfortunately, this does not make it difficult for unscrupulous individuals to acquire.
Because it is illegal and unregulated, the concentration can not be monitored. While the roofies drug is not safe in any concentrations, the unregulated nature of the drug means you can often be receiving a much more powerful dose than anticipated. Since the drug is manufactured in other countries, the additional ingredients used in manufacturing can pose an additional health risk.
Turns Light Colored Drinks Blue
While the roofies drug is technically colorless and odorless, it does turn the color of lighter drinks blue. This can be an easy way to spot them when someone offers you a drink in the club. If the drink has a light blue color or hue to it, then steer clear just to be on the safe side.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that other drinks offered by people are safer. The newer version of the roofies drug is the one with the blue trace. However, older versions of the roofies drug do not have this characteristic and can be slipped into any drink without a trace.
Creates a Powerful Depressant When Mixed with Alcohol
The roofies drug and alcohol are both central nervous system depressants so mixing the two is incredibly dangerous. The grade and power of the roofies drug itself are not regulated since it is smuggled in, so people have no idea how much nervous system depressant they’re administering. Both drugs slow breathing and activities in the brain which control bodily functions.
When a roofies drug is mixed with alcohol, it can cause seizures, memory loss, or unconsciousness which is why people often report an ‘out of body’ experience the next day. Too much of a roofies drug can lead to a coma or unintentional death, especially when mixed with alcohol. Slipping someone a roofies drug is incredibly dangerous if they are drinking because their inhibitions may already be lowered.
Alcohol-like Symptoms
A roofies drug produces the same symptoms as those of being extremely intoxicated. Someone may first experience a euphoria before becoming confused and disoriented. Even slurred speech is a symptom of the roofies drug, just like alcohol. Since the roofies drug and intoxication both depress the central nervous system, the symptoms are nearly identical.
This presents a danger in and of itself because the recipient may continue drinking and overwhelm the central nervous system which is what often leads to coma. Both drugs lower inhibitions, slow breathing, and slow activity in the brain. The dangers of a roofies drug can’t be overstated but when they are slipped into an alcoholic beverage unknown to the recipient, that danger increases tenfold.
The Roofies Drug Should Not Be Used Recreationally
The popularity of recreational use of the roofies drug is rising. Abusing the roofie’s drug as a party favor can also be extremely dangerous. Many use it to intensify the effects of other drugs. The roofies drug is highly addictive and nearly 10 times more powerful than valium. Its residual effects can last nearly 12 hours. Recreational abuse of the roofies drug can also cause aggression in many people.
Addiction sets in quickly and it’s nearly impossible to wean off without medical intervention. The withdrawal symptoms are severe so medically supervised tapering is often necessary to increase the odds of success. Quitting cold turkey can cause seizures or psychosis and is not recommended.
Avoid the Dangers of the Roofies Drug
Avoiding the dangers of a roofies drug means first never using them recreationally. Their unregulated and highly addictive nature makes them unsafe in any amount. The roofies drug should never be used as a party favor as that can leave you vulnerable to the harmful intentions of unscrupulous individuals.
Being the victim of a roofies drug is incredibly dangerous because it is often slipped into alcoholic beverages, which intensifies the effects. The recovery process can be difficult and sometimes the results can be fatal. Avoiding the dangers of a roofies drug starts with understanding how they work and what makes them so unsafe. If you feel you’ve been the victim of a roofies drug, seek medical help immediately and call the authorities. Then get help from people you trust.
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