Physical signs of Rohypnol use
The signs of poisoning with sleeping pills resemble drunkenness, but often without the smell of alcohol. The MSD Manual describes the signs of sedative intoxication, including some a family can notice:
- Unusual drowsiness at inappropriate times, and difficulty waking the person.
- Slurred or slow speech, and difficulty finding words.
- Unsteadiness and poor stability when standing or walking, and frequent falls or bumping into things.
- Rapid involuntary eye movements when looking to the sides.
- Slowed understanding and responses, and confused thinking.
- Bruises or minor injuries the person cannot explain.
Memory gaps: the clearest sign
What sets Rohypnol apart from many substances is the forgetting: the person talks or acts while under its influence, then the next day cannot remember conversations, places or whole hours. If this keeps happening along with drowsiness and unsteadiness, it is a strong signal that deserves attention, whether the person is taking it willingly or someone gave them something without their knowledge.
Behavioral signs and signs of addiction
- Constant talk about sleep and the “pill” that helps with it, and being unable to sleep without it.
- Looking for the pills from more than one source, asking more than one doctor for prescriptions, or unexplained pills in the person's room.
- Mixing the pills with alcohol, opioids or pregabalin.
- Withdrawing from others, changing friends, and asking for money often without explanation.
- Obvious anxiety, irritability and insomnia whenever the person is late for their usual time with the pills.
- Neglecting school or work, and sleeping at odd hours.
When does Rohypnol use become addiction?
NIDA calls this condition sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder, and it is diagnosed by the DSM-5 criteria over a 12-month period, such as: using more than intended or for longer than intended, unsuccessful attempts to cut down, cravings, continuing despite problems, using in dangerous situations, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms on stopping.
| Number of criteria | Level |
|---|---|
| 2 to 3 | Mild |
| 4 to 5 | Moderate |
| 6 or more | Severe |
Signs of being drugged with Rohypnol without your knowledge
The Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland explains that the substances used to spike drinks are often tasteless, odorless and colorless, and that signs can appear within minutes, including:
Feeling more drunk or dizzy than would be expected from what you drank.
Sudden drowsiness, muddled thinking and not knowing where you are.
Being unable to walk, speak or control your body.
Periods you cannot remember what happened during.
Along with a feeling of fainting or blurred vision.
Suspicion and fear of others, hallucinations, or a feeling of being detached from your body.
What should you do if you suspect you or a friend has been drugged?
- Ask for help right away from someone you trust, ask them to stay with you, and do not leave with someone you do not know.
- If you are in a public place, tell the staff or security, and move to a safe place.
- If there is severe drowsiness, difficulty breathing or loss of consciousness, call the ambulance (123) immediately.
- Go to a hospital as soon as possible, because test results can lose their value as time passes, and keep the first urine sample if you can.
- Write down what you remember about the place, the time and the people, and do not blame yourself; the responsibility lies with whoever did this.
- You can report through the police emergency line 122, and women can use the National Council for Women complaints line 15115. For psychological support, the line is 16328.
If your question is whether tests can still detect flunitrazepam after some time has passed, you will find the detailed answer on the page how long Rohypnol stays in the body.
How can you tell Rohypnol from other causes?
| The situation | What usually distinguishes it |
|---|---|
| Roofies | Deep drowsiness, unsteadiness and slurred speech with clear memory gaps. |
| Alcohol | The smell of alcohol and a flushed face, and the state usually matches the amount drunk. |
| Opioids | Very small pupils, repeated nodding off, and sometimes itching. |
| Medical condition | Low blood sugar, a head injury or a seizure can cause similar confusion and need emergency care. |
Telling them apart precisely is the doctor's job and may need specialized testing, because rapid tests do not always detect flunitrazepam.
What should the family do if they notice these symptoms?
- First make sure the person is breathing normally and responding, and call the ambulance if there are danger signs.
- Do not leave them to sleep alone if they mixed the pills with alcohol or anything else.
- Quietly make notes, and choose a suitable time for a conversation.
- Do not ask them to stop suddenly if they use it daily; stopping needs a medical plan.
- Offer a small, clear step such as a confidential consultation, and see how to convince a person with addiction to seek treatment.
Danger signs after taking Roche pills: call an ambulance on 123 immediately
- Deep drowsiness from which the person cannot be roused by calling or touch, or loss of consciousness
- Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing, or bluish lips
- Severe unsteadiness and confusion that prevent them from standing or speaking, especially after alcohol or opioids
- Vomiting while drowsy or with reduced consciousness
- A sudden unexplained state after a drink, with memory loss and suspicion of being drugged
Call ambulance (123) immediately. If the person is unconscious but breathing, place them on their side so they do not choke on vomit. Stay with them and do not leave them alone to “sleep it off.” Do not give them food, drink or any medicine, and tell the paramedics everything you know about what they took and when.
Call the ambulance 123