The drug Rohypnol is illegal in the United States, but it is still legally prescribed in many other countries as a sedative. It is often used in medical settings along with anesthesia.
It is smuggled across US borders and sold on the street under the following names:
- Roofies
- Roopies
- Rope
- Ropies
- R2
- Roaches1
This drug — perhaps best known as the date rape drug — is also used as a means of assault against others.
There is hope for those addicted to Rohypnol, but only if they are willing to take an honest look at what led them to addiction in the first place. Unless root issues are addressed in an addict’s life, they will just resurface somewhere else, even after detox. The following are common factors that lead to Rohypnol addiction:
1. Addictive Nature
Some drugs are simply more addictive than others, with physical dependence developing on the first or second dose. In the case of Rohypnol, physical dependence is severe. That’s why it’s never a good idea to quit this drug cold turkey but to use a medically-supervised, taper-down method. Intense withdrawal symptoms such as seizures and psychosis can result when an addict’s body is denied the drug. Another factor with Rohypnol is the availability of the drug at a fairly inexpensive price. For about the price of a gourmet cup of coffee, a young person can experience up to 8 hours of intoxication.
2. Environmental Conditioning
When a person is raised in an environment where drugs and alcohol are present and visibly abused, he or she will have lowered defenses when the opportunity comes to do the same. Drugs are seen as a way to cope with everyday life or to find enjoyment. Rohypnol is often used recreationally, accompanying parties, raves and bar scenes. Even if a person has not been raised around substance abuse, spending time around drug use can desensitize people to its dangers and lead to experimentation and addiction.
3. Emotional Distress
A common denominator among drug users is emotional distress that leads to addiction. For many users even a low level of stress is perceived as intolerable. For others, extreme emotional scars brought on by trauma, like childhood abuse, create a need to dull the pain. Rohypnol addiction is often accompanied by other drug use in order to increase the effects of one or the other or to avoid the crash associated with stimulants. With this kind of overlapping substance abuse, one can stay numb from emotional distress for days at a time.
4. Genetic Predisposition
Researchers continue to make connections between addiction and genetic predisposition. This could have something to do with the way a person’s brain chemistry works, the release of dopamine to the pleasure center of the brain or tendencies toward clinical depression.2
Recovery From Rohypnol Addiction
If you or someone you know is addicted to Rohypnol, recovery is within reach. Caring admissions coordinators are standing by to help you begin your journey to freedom. Our helpline is toll-free, and we’re available 24 hours a day. Please call the number on this page now.
By Becca Owens
Sources:
1 "Rohypnol." Drugs.com, 4 Sept. 2018.
2 "Genetics and Epigenetics of Addiction." National Institute on Drug Abuse, Feb. 2016.
