Rohypnol | Research & Encyclopedia Articles

Rohypnol is the trade name for flunitrazepam, a sedative-hypnotic drug used medically in a number of countries. Its street names include "roofies," "roach," "R-2," "trip and fall," and "rope." Rohypnol has become a widely abused drug in many countries, including the United States, Sweden, Mexico, Italy, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. This trend is troubling because many users regard the drug as relatively safe. When used properly for medical reasons, the drug is not dangerous; but illegal use of Rohypnol has many dangerous and undesirable effects. It can cause violent behavior and accidents as well as coma, memory loss, and death. Because the drug can cause unconsciousness and amnesia (loss of memory), Rohypnol has been used in sexual assaults in the United States. Rohypnol is commonly known as the "date rape drug" for this reason. It has also been used in robberies in a number of countries.

Rohypnol has never been approved for use in the United States, where it is illegal. In Europe and elsewhere it is a commonly prescribed benzodiazepine. Like other benzodiazepines, such as Valium (diazepam) or Xanax (alprazolam), it can be useful for treating sleep problems and anxiety, though only under supervision by a doctor. Rohypnol, like alcohol and the benzodiazepines in general, actsas a depressant on the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). At lower doses, the depressant effects of Rohypnol include relaxation, reduction of anxiety, and a loosening of inhibitions. As with many abused drugs, a person who uses Rohypnol for a long period develops tolerance. The person then must take larger doses to produce the same effects. Larger doses mean increased dangers and side effects, especially memory loss and learning problems.

Drinking alcohol in combination with Rohypnol increases dangerous side effects even further. This combined use is a common practice among people who take Rohypnol illegally. The dangerous effects of combined used of Rohypnol and alcohol include:

• incontinence (an inability of the body to control excretion)
• loosening of inhibitions
• violence
• delirium, blackouts, and stupor
• respiratory depression (a slowed rate of breathing)
• death

Long-term use of Rohypnol can produce physical dependence. The level of dependence is even greater than that of drugs such as heroin and morphine. When individuals stop taking Rohypnol suddenly after regular use, they can experience a range of complications. Mild problems include restlessness and anxiety. More severe complications include tremor (shaking), hallucinations, and convulsions similar to severe alcohol withdrawal. These complications can be avoided if the withdrawal takes place under medical supervision.

Rohypnol has received a great deal of media attention in the United States because of its use in a number of cases of sexual assault. In these cases, a person dissolved Rohypnol in the unsuspecting victim's drink. The victim became unconscious, and was raped or robbed. Other drugs are also being used in this way, including GHB, barbiturates, opiates, other benzodiazepines, and alcohol. Sexual assault is more likely to involve the use of alcohol than any other drug, including Rohypnol. However, criminals of this kind may use Rohypnol and drugs like it because they produce unconsciousness and memory loss much more quickly.

Rohypnol use remains at a low rate compared to other drugs of abuse. Information about rates of Rohypnol use may not be as accurate as rates for other drugs, since at least some people who have taken it remain unaware of it. Also, those who have used it on others may not be reporting it on surveys that ask about individual use. National surveys began including Rohypnol on questionnaires around1996, when use among people ages 12 to 17 was around 1 percent. Among 8th grade students, use of Rohypnol fell to 0.5 percent in 2000; 0.7 percent reported using it in 2001. Among 12th grade students, use of Rohypnol increased to 1.8 percent in 1998, then fell again, remaining at about 1 percent for the next few years. Addicted users of Rohypnol need to be weaned gradually off the drug, to avoid the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms. Other sedative medications might be used briefly to help the user withdraw from Rohypnol.

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal; Benzodiazepines; Prescription Drug Abuse; Sedative and Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs.

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