Everyone has heard of the Date Rape Drug (DRD), but not many people know how it works. What does it do? What symptoms does it produce? You may even have been drugged without realizing. DRD's mimic drunkenness. A victim may wake up the next morning simply thinking they had too many shots the night before.
I consider myself somewhat of an expert on DRD. I hope that this article can help someone in the future.
I have narcolepsy (no, I don’t randomly fall asleep into my food like you see in the movies). I take Adderall during the day. At night I take a little medicine called Xyrem. Xyrem is also called GHB – the date rape drug. Rohypnol is another DRD. Many people haven’t heard of GHB, and it isn’t used often as part of a medication regimen. It isn’t kept in a pharmacy. I have it shipped to me because it is a restricted drug. One concern is that it will be abused as a DRD. Since I take this every night, I know how it reacts, what the onset feels like and other bits of information I feel everyone, but especially women, should know.
1. Minor differences between Rohypnol and GHB.
Rohypnol doesn’t have a taste. GHB has a somewhat salty taste. However, this can easily be masked by any alcoholic drink.
Rohypnol's street name is “roofie." GHB is often called “liquid ecstasy.”
Rohypnol is in pill form. GHB can be in pill form but is most often a liquid.
2. What it is, and how it works.
I could write an entire article on this section alone so I’m going to keep it simple and stick to the basics. DRD’s are depressants. They quickly enter you system and cause sedation, muscle relaxation, confusion and motor impairment. There is a neurotransmitter in the brain called Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid (GABA). GABA is your brain’s own personal psychiatrist. It helps bring your nervous system back to a normal level after excitement or anxiety. It basically reduces brain activity. GHB binds to the same receptors as GABA, which is why it makes you uncontrollably tired and ultimately causes you to pass out. Alcohol also binds to the same receptors as GABA. Therefore, when you have alcohol in your system, the DRD, and your body’s own GABA, are all working together to decrease activity in the brain, leading to loss of consciousness and memory.
3. Warning signs.
I’m not going into the whole watch who you’re with and never take drinks from strangers. Everyone knows those precautions. So if someone slips something in your drink, here’s what to look out for.
Complete calmness and euphoria. Alcohol alone often removes your “give a damn,” but the DRD is a lot more intense. You don’t care about anything or anyone. You will most likely feel like all you want to do is not move, speak or breathe.
Muscle Weakness and heaviness. I remember the very first night I took Xyrem. I lived at my parent’s house and I slept downstairs in the living room because I wasn’t sure how I would react to Xyrem (everyone is different). I had the TV on and I went to reach for the remote to turn it down. I could feel my arm moving but it wasn’t. My body and chest also felt very heavy. It’s honestly one of the strangest feelings I’ve ever had. You will also start to feel like your limbs weigh 100 pounds each.
A ravenous hunger that can’t be explained. You will crave food and I mean a lot of food.
GHB has of a salty taste so if your drink starts tasting salty this is a warning sign.
4. Things to know.
If you have been given the date rape drug you can’t fight it off. Someway, somehow you’ll pass out. I’ve fallen asleep on the toilet while peeing, in my kitchen floor (again with the hunger thing), in my bedroom floor and walking up my stairs. If you start sensing something is off, let a friend or someone you trust know so they can get you somewhere safe quickly.
Having food in your stomach will lessen the effects to a certain extent. You will still pass out at some point but having food in your stomach will prolong the time between ingesting the drug and passing out.
