Approach the situation with empathy and encourage the person to seek professional help if necessary. Adolescents experimenting with drugs may exhibit changes in behavior, decreased academic performance, and withdrawal from family or peers. In the workplace, signs can include erratic behavior, frequent absences, or a decline in work quality.

If you notice these changes in someone you know, it may be worth having a conversation to express your concerns and offer support. If they have a job or career, you may also notice declining performance in the professional aspects as drug use becomes the number one priority. There may also be no drive to complete work or perform how they once did, especially if work-related stress is what led to substance abuse in the first place.

Most of all, don’t underestimate the stress and trauma of your experience. With that in mind, HuffPost asked experts like Michonski to describe some of the most common signs that someone has been nonconsensually drugged. Some drugs have symptoms similar to how you’d feel if you were sick and feverish, perhaps with a bad case of food poisoning.

How Long Does Rohypnol Stay in the Body?

These effects can make it more difficult for victims to escape dangerous situations. If possible, get medical attention right away to test for drugs in your system. If you believe you’ve been roofied, it’s important to seek help immediately. Someone who has been roofied will feel extremely intoxicated very quickly. They may suddenly feel more amorous and sexual and respond emotionally to others in ways that are not characteristic of them. The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing.

Common Mental Health Symptoms to Watch for

• On the other hand, certain drugs can induce excessive sleepiness or lead to irregular sleep-wake cycles.
• Anyone can be vulnerable to roofies, no matter their gender, size, or alcohol tolerance.
• It’s not uncommon for those who’ve been slipped drugs to never really know what actually happened to them.
• Ketamine is an anesthetic primarily intended to tranquilize animals.
• Cocaine causes the pupils (the black part of the eye) to enlarge, even in bright light.

Being roofied is never the victim’s fault, but there are signs and symptoms to watch out for to help keep you and the people around you safe. Drink spiking a person to sexually assault or rape them is also known as alcohol or drug-facilitated sexual assault. If you have been drugged and/or sexually assaulted but do not want to identify the abuser, you can track the kit anonymously while you consider your options. It’s important to get a kit processed even if you do not intend to follow through with the police. If you are experiencing symptoms of being roofied and suspect someone has slipped you an illicit drug, call 911 immediately. Don’t drive, and don’t leave the area you’re at unless you’re in danger.

One of the easiest ways to determine whether you’ve been drugged is to note how you’re viewing and interacting with the world around you. Ketamine, another drug used in sexual assault, may distort sounds and sight like a hallucinogenic drug. Similarly, you may feel like you’re disconnected from reality and are off in a dreamlike state, or going through an out-of-body experience. Keeping track of the time may be difficult, as time and your very identity can become lost to you while high on Ketamine. Learn the signs and symptoms to know how to help someone who has been roofied.

You may not even notice this until the school calls or until they stop receiving paychecks. Excessive use and abuse of these drugs can cause intense highs characterized by hyperactivity and periods of insomnia or intense lows that cause long periods of sleeping or drowsiness. Addictive substances alter the brain’s natural circadian rhythm which can actually cause sleep disturbances well after someone has stopped using the drug.

Signs of Drug Addiction

Follow along as the experts from Sunlight Recovery outline the symptoms of being drugged and what to do if you consume a spiked drink. It means you respect yourself and want them to make healthier choices. It’s important to support them, but you also need to protect yourself. If their drug use is affecting your life, set clear boundaries about what you will and won’t tolerate.

Seek care in the emergency room, preferably one that has sexual assault nurse examiners to conduct a medical forensic examination, Riviello said. However, it will likely need to involve both physical and mental care. Getting medical attention is essential to make sure that the drugs are safely leaving the body and to check for any underlying injuries or interactions. Date rape is sexual assault during a social situation like a date or party.

How can I seek help for someone with substance use issues?

These how do you know if you got drugged signs suggest drug or alcohol influence, impairing cognitive abilities and productivity. Educational and prevention programs are crucial in addressing substance use. They provide information and frequently asked questions to help individuals understand the risks and available treatment resources. It is important to note that changes in sleep patterns alone do not definitively indicate substance use, but they can be a red flag.

• 1,4-butanediol does not become an intoxicating agent until after it binds to the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver.
• Maybe their story keeps changing, and they can never seem to be honest about what they’ve been up to.
• They may especially become defensive if you ask them about drugs or addiction.
• Noticing roofied symptoms right away can save lives and help protect against sexual assault and other drug-related crimes.

However, it has trained information specialists who can transfer callers to state services or appropriate intake centers to connect them with local assistance and support. A decline in work or school performance can indicate substance use. Recognize and address the issue promptly to prevent further negative consequences.

What should I do if I suspect someone is using drugs?

If the person has been sexually assaulted, they’ll need to go to a hospital so the facility’s sexual assault team can collect forensic evidence. If you suspect someone’s been roofied, the first thing you should do is have them drink as much water as possible. Make sure they’re safe from any possible predators who may have slipped them the drug, and get medical treatment as soon as possible. Although it might be tempting to just let the person sleep it off, these drugs carry serious risks. Roofies may interact badly with other drugs already in the person’s system, such as heroin and alcohol, or the dosage may have been high enough to cause an overdose. The first sign of being roofied is the onset of extreme brain fog.

Someone can grind one up in their hand, drop the powder into your drink, and you will not notice it. If you believe that your loved one may be dealing with substance abuse or drug addiction, reaching out to them is the best way to start a conversation help. Substance abuse can be overcome, and the odds of long-term recovery increase when a person seeks help through a professionally trained recovery center.

You have gaps in your memory.

Chronic absenteeism or tardiness can be a red flag for potential drug use. Seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness but rather a courageous step towards a healthier and happier life. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, do not hesitate to reach out to available resources and seek the assistance needed. Seeking professional help is vital when dealing with substance use.