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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); Office of the Surgeon General (US). Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health [Internet]. Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services; 2016 Nov.

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Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health [Internet].

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Rohypnol® (Flunitrazepam)

A benzodiazepine chemically similar to prescription sedatives such as Valium® and Xanax®. Teens and young adults tend to abuse this drug at bars, nightclubs, concerts, and parties. It has been used to commit sexual assaults due to its ability to sedate and incapacitate unsuspecting victims.1
Common Commercial NamesStreet NamesCommon FormsCommon Ways TakenDEA Schedule / Legal Status
Flunitrazepam, Rohypnol®Circles, Date Rape Drug, Forget Pill, Forget-Me Pill, La Rocha, Lunch Money, Mexican Valium, Mind Eraser, Pingus, R2, Reynolds, Rib, Roach, Roach 2, Roaches, Roachies, Roapies, Rochas Dos, Roofies, Rope, Rophies, Row-Shay, Ruffies, Trip-and-Fall, WolfiesTabletIngested (as a pill or as dissolved in a drink), snortedSchedule IV / Rohypnol® is not approved for medical use in the United States; it is available as a prescription sleep aid in other countries
Uses & Possible Health Effectsii
Short-term Symptoms of UseDrowsiness, sedation, sleep; amnesia, blackout; decreased anxiety; muscle relaxation, impaired reaction time and motor coordination; impaired mental functioning and judgment; confusion; aggression; excitability; slurred speech; headache; slowed breathing and heart rate.
Long-term Consequences of Use and Health EffectsiiiPhysical and psychological dependence; cardiovascular collapse; and death
Other Health-related IssuesSometimes used as a date rape drug.
In Combination with AlcoholExaggerated intoxication, severe sedation, unconsciousness, and slowed heart rate and breathing, which can lead to death.
Withdrawal SymptomsHeadache; muscle pain; extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, confusion, irritability; numbness and tingling of hands or feet; hallucinations, delirium, convulsions, seizures, or shock.
Treatment Optionsiv
MedicationsThere are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to Rohypnol® or other prescription sedatives.
Behavioral TherapiesMore research is needed to determine if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to Rohypnol® or other prescription sedatives.
Statistics as of 2015v
PrevalenceLifetime: Data not collected.
Past Year: Data not collected.
Average Age of InitiationSedatives in general: 23.4
i

Source: NIDA, (2016).

ii

Sources: NIDA, (2016) & DEA, (2015).

iii

Source: Rohypnol Abuse Treatment, (n.d.).

iv

Source: NIDA, (2016).

v

Source: CBHSQ, (2016).

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