Date Rape Drug Symptoms

Date rape drugs are substances used to facilitate sexual assault by incapacitating a person, rendering them unable to defend themselves or even remember the assault. Commonly referred to as “roofies,” date rape drug symptoms can be physical, psychological, and emotional in nature. While date rape drugs can be difficult to detect in beverages, there are symptoms that may indicate a date rape drug has been used. Awareness of date rape drug symptoms can help you protect yourself and help you understand if you may have been sexually abused with such a drug.

If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted with a date rape drug, contact our sexual assault lawyers at Edwards Henderson for a free legal consultation.

Date Rape Definition

The U.S. Department of Justice defines sexual assault as any “nonconsensual sexual act proscribed by federal, state, or local law, including when the victim lacks the capacity to consent.” This means consent need not always be verbal — if a person is unable to consent due to incapacitation from drugs or alcohol, the act can still be construed as rape.

Date rape is a form of sexual assault that occurs when someone forces or manipulates another person into undertaking a sexual activity without mutual consent. It can occur in the context of a romantic relationship, between acquaintances, or even between strangers at a party. Date rape often involves drugs or alcohol, making it difficult for the survivor to resist or remember the details. It can involve physical force, threats, coercion, or emotional manipulation. Regardless of the situation, date rape may cause physical, emotional, and psychological issues and must be taken seriously.

Common Date Rape Drugs

Date rape drugs are substances used to facilitate the sexual assault of an individual, usually without their knowledge. They can be found in many forms and have a variety of street names. These drugs are typically colorless, odorless, and tasteless when added to drinks or food, making them difficult to identify. Common date rape drugs include:

• Alcohol: Alcohol is often used as a date rape drug due to its sedative and disinhibiting effects. It can make it easier for perpetrators to take advantage of someone while they are too drunk to physically resist the assault.
• Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines are prescription medications that are sometimes used as date rape drugs. These drugs act on the central nervous system and are known to cause drowsiness, confusion, impaired judgment, and memory problems. Examples of benzodiazepines include Xanax, Valium, and Ativan.
• GHB: Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a central nervous system depressant that can cause drowsiness, confusion, and memory impairment. GHB is sometimes referred to as a “liquid ecstasy” due to its effects.
• Rohypnol: Rohypnol is a tranquilizer that is often used as a date rape drug due to its amnesia-inducing effects. This drug can cause extreme drowsiness and confusion, as well as a lack of coordination and impaired judgment.
• Ketamine: Ketamine is an anesthetic that is sometimes used as a date rape drug. It can cause hallucinations, confusion, disorientation, impaired motor function, and amnesia.
• Research chemicals: Research chemicals have been linked to date rape scenarios. These drugs have a wide variety of effects, including confusion, amnesia, and unconsciousness.
• Other drugs (Ambien, Scopolamine, MDMA, LSD, Fentanyl, Opiates/Heroin): Other drugs such as Ambien, Scopolamine, MDMA, LSD, Fentanyl, and Opiates/Heroin can also be used in date rape scenarios. These drugs can cause confusion, memory loss, hallucinations, and other impairments that can put someone at risk of being sexually assaulted.

Date Rape Drug: Statistics

• 90% of all campus rapes occur when the assailant and/or the survivor is under the influence of alcohol (Pepperdine University).
• In an analysis of 144 sexual assault survivors, nearly 62 percent were found to have drugs in their system (Department of Justice).
• Nearly 11 million women in the U.S. have been raped while drunk, drugged, or high (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office on Women’s Health).
• Alcohol is the most commonly detected substance in the drug-facilitated sexual assault across the globe (Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine).
• 15 percent of college-aged women are raped during their freshman year while incapacitated by alcohol or drugs (U.S. News & World Report).

Symptoms of Date Rape Drugs

Date rape drugs impair both the self-defense and decision-making abilities of individuals who have ingested them. However, knowledge about the symptoms of being roofied can help you remain vigilant and piece together the details of a possible sexual assault.

Some of the symptoms that may indicate you have been drugged include:

• Feeling paralyzed
• Losing consciousness
• Initial feeling of euphoria
• Loss of muscle control
• Brain fog
• Slurred speech
• Feeling more intoxicated than you expected
• Stumbling and falling
• Difficulty focusing
• Confusion
• Drowsiness

If you suspect you have been drugged with a date rape drug, seek medical help immediately.

Next Day Side Effects of Date Rape Drugs

Date rape drugs can cause serious physical, mental, and emotional consequences for survivors. The side effects of these substances can last up to 24 hours after ingestion. The most common side effects include:

• Waking up with unexpected bruises
• Blackouts, or inability to recall the events of the past day
• Strong hangovers, including light sensitivity, nausea, and headache
• Waking up with torn clothing, different clothing, or clothing that has been put on incorrectly
• Unexplained genital, anal, or urinary pain

Was I Drugged, or Did I Black Out?

It can be difficult to tell if you have been drugged or if you simply had too much to drink. It is important to look at the whole picture of the incident and consider the context of the occurrence of the event. Date rape drugs typically result in symptoms like sudden memory loss, feeling sick, difficulty standing or walking, and passing out for an extended period. It is important to consult a medical professional who can definitively determine whether you were drugged or not.

I Was Drugged, What Should I Do?

If you suspect that you have been drugged, you may want to act quickly and seek help. There are steps you can take right away to protect yourself and ensure that you get the help and care you need:

1. Tell someone you trust that you believe you have been drugged: The first and the most important step is to inform a friend or family member of your suspicion. Having a support system is vital in a situation like this. Your loved one can help you make important decisions as you navigate through the next steps of this process.
2. Find a safe place: Finding a safe place away from your attacker and any further danger is important. This could be in your home, at a friend’s house, a medical facility, or anywhere you feel safe and secure.
3. Drink as much water as possible: Drinking lots of water can help flush the drug out of your system and reduce the severity of its effects. It also can help with hydration if you are losing water due to vomiting and nausea.
4. Seek immediate medical treatment: Finally, you should seek medical treatment immediately after taking a date rape drug. Going to the hospital will not only ensure your safety but also provide access to medical professionals who can assess any additional effects the drug may have had on your body.

Testing for Date Rape Drugs

The most common date rape drugs can be detected in urine or blood tests. Many hospitals and clinics offer specialized testing for date rape drugs, usually done within 72 hours of the incident. It’s important to remember that if too much time has passed since the incident, it may be difficult or even impossible to detect the drugs in the body. If you believe you were drugged, you should try to get tested as soon as possible.

How to Protect Yourself From Date Rape

It is important to be aware of the dangers of date rape, especially when drinking alcohol or being in unfamiliar situations. To protect yourself from date rape, always go out with a trusted friend and stick together. Never leave your drink unattended, and try to keep an eye on your beverages at all times. Whenever possible, decline open beverages from people you do not know.

If you do, make sure that you have seen the beverage being opened or poured. It is also important to be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable with someone or in a situation, it is best to leave.

Date Rape Laws

Date rape laws exist in all fifty states, but the specific penalties associated with date rape can vary significantly from state to state.

Generally speaking, most states criminalize date rape under the broader umbrella of sexual assault or rape laws. Depending on the state and severity of the crime, date rape can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. At the federal level, the Drug-Induced Rape Prevention and Punishment Act of 1996 imposes a prison sentence of up to 20 years for anyone who distributes illicit drugs to a person without their consent and with the intention to commit a crime such as rape.

Can I Sue Someone for Date Rape?

The short answer is yes, you may sue someone for date rape. Depending on the laws in your state, you may be able to pursue a civil lawsuit against the person who drugged and assaulted you, and include a third-party organization or institution that may have enabled the crime to happen. Date rape survivors are typically eligible for compensatory damages, which may include pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages. An experienced date rape attorney can advise you of your legal rights and help you pursue justice for what you have been through.

Date Rape Drug Symptoms: FAQs
1. How long do date rape drugs stay in your system?

The length of time for date rape drugs to stay in the body varies depending on the type of drug, body weight and metabolism of the survivor, and how much of the drug they had consumed. Generally, the effects of these drugs can last up to 72 hours, but some drugs may stay in the system for weeks.

2. How do I know if my drink was drugged?

It can be difficult to know if your drink has been spiked, as the symptoms of a date rape drug are usually only recognizable once the drug has already taken effect. It is important to take precautions when out drinking, such as never leaving your drink unattended and not accepting drinks from strangers. If you begin feeling dizzy or otherwise out of sorts, seek medical help immediately.

3. How common is date rape?

Unfortunately, date rape is quite common in the U.S., with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stating that close to 11 million women in the United States are survivors of rape while drunk, drugged, or high. Additionally, the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) reports that 1 out of every 6 women in the U.S. is the survivor of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. These concerning statistics highlight the need for better education, prevention, and awareness about date rape.

4. Is Xanax a date rape drug?

Yes, Xanax can be used to facilitate sexual assault. Its sedative effects can cause extreme confusion, memory loss, and blackout, making it easier for perpetrators to take advantage of drugged individuals without them being able to remember what happened.

5. What are the penalties for a date rape conviction?

Date rape is a serious crime and is punishable by severe penalties in the United States. Depending on the state and the intensity of the crime, a conviction for date rape could result in jail time, hefty fines, restitution payments, community service, and registration as a sex offender. In some cases, defendants convicted of date rape may also be required to attend rehabilitation programs, such as alcohol abuse counseling.

6. How does alcohol interact with date rape drugs?

Date rape drugs and alcohol often work together in a very dangerous way. Alcohol is a depressant, which means it can intensify the effects of date rape drugs. Consuming alcohol and date rape drugs together can lead to serious health risks, such as difficulty breathing or even death.

7. What are date rape injections?

Date rape injections are a relatively new and dangerous form of drug-facilitated sexual assault. It occurs when someone secretly injects a person with a sedative or depressant, such as Rohypnol, Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB), or Ketamine, without their knowledge or consent. Women have reported being injected with date rape drugs on the street or in bars and nightclubs while attending parties.

8. How do you test for date rape drugs?

Testing for date rape drugs is an important step to help determine if a person has been drugged and sexually assaulted. The most common tests for date rape drugs are urine and blood tests, as well as saliva, sweat, and hair follicle tests. There have been some technological innovations like at-home test strips to detect the presence of drugs in a drink, but it is best to rely on established tests to be certain.

When testing for date rape drugs, it is important to do so as soon as possible after the incident, as some drugs can only be detected for a limited amount of time. Generally, the sooner you test for date rape drugs, the more likely it is that they will be found in your system.