Flunitrazepam

Flunitrazepam Information and Treatment

Flunitrazepam (Rehypnol) is a benzodiazepine compound similar to Valium and Xanax. This drug has not been approved for medical use in the United States. However, because it is widely used in over 60 countries it has been classified as a Schedule IV Controlled Substances to satisfy international treaty obligations. As an illegal drug, distribution and possession exact stiff that are equivalent to a Schedule I drug such as Heroin and marijuana.

When used (in other countries) for medicinal purposes, it is generally prescribed to be used on a short term or occasional basis to treat patients with insomnia. As an illicit drug, it is widely used in the United States by young adults at nightclubs, bars, parties and music concerts where it is typically combined with other substances such as alcohol, marijuana and cocaine.

Flunitrazepam is a fast acting preparation that produces a dramatic, intoxicating high. It has also gained popularity as the “date rape drug” because of its various other attributes. A National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) report explains that Flunitrazepam is available as a tasteless, colorless and odorless substance that is undetectable when combined with alcohol or other beverages. And, like other benzodiazepines, this drug has sedative properties and can cause memory blocks. Because of these combined components, Flunirazepam has been used to incapacitate sexual assault victims who, because of the drug, may not have any memory of the offense.

Popular street names for Flunitrazepam includes:

Roofies
Rope
Ruffies
R-2
Roaches
Forget-Me Pill
Mexican Valium
Roche
Rib

What does Flunitrazepam look like?

Since this is an illicit product the appearance may vary in shape and color. However, the typical appearance of Flunitrazepam is a round, white tablet with a single or crisscross imprint on one side and the number 1 or 2 encircled on the other. Tablets have also been described as brown or having a pinkish tint. To some users, it may be slightly bitter in taste when combined with alcohol.

In an effort to prevent date rate, in the 1990s, the tablets manufactured by Roche for the European market were green in color with blue coloring. They were designed to dissolve quickly, to turn the liquid a blue color and to leave a green residue.

Effects of Flunitrazepam

There are numerous adverse effects of Flunitrazepam that range from mild to severe. As a highly addictive drug, Flunitrazepam can cause both physical and psychological dependence. Other effects include the following:

Impairment in balance and speech and dizziness.
Excessive sedation that may cause respiratory depression leading to coma or death.
Hypotonia or floppy infant syndrome (inability to maintain contractions due to decreased muscle tone)
Convulsions and gastrointestinal problems that may cause multiple episodes of vomiting.
Excessive talkativeness
Aggressive or violent behavior
Other cognitive impairment manifesting as confusion, lack of concentration and amnesia.

Because this drug is primarily used in social environments and can cause difficulty with balance, coordination and focus it has also been associated with falling injuries and motor vehicle accidents. Also, when this drug is mixed with alcohol it can be lethal for some individuals.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Habitual user of Flunitrazepam may experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to halt drug use. Some withdrawal symptoms have been reported from users who have tried to stop taking the drug after approximately 14 days of habitual use. These symptoms can last up to four days after stopping drug use and may include sweating, stomach and muscular cramps, panic attacks, severe depression and seizures.

History of Flunitrazepam

In 1972, scientists at Roche, a Swiss company synthesized Flunitrazepam to facilitate the need for a stronger sedative to be used in local hospitals. This drug was available on European commercial market in Europe by 1975 and five years later was in use in various other countries. However, before long Flunitrazepam came to be recognized as a powerful narcotic that needed to be regulated. This resulted in amendments to drug laws that placed restrictions on dosage, manufacture, possession and overall use of Flunitrazepam. Flunitrazepam made its first appearance in the United States in the latter part of 1983 or early 1984 however it never achieved legal status as a prescription drug.

Treatment

Abuse and addiction to Flunitrazepam can develop quickly, in some cases within weeks after initial use. However, because use of this drug is typically accompanied by use of other chemical substances, there are usually other health factors to be addressed beyond the addiction. Good drug rehab treatment centers start the treatment process with a thorough physical and psychological evaluation of the patient to identify any underlying issues that the drug use may have caused or exacerbated. Co-occurring disorders that would necessitate dual diagnosis treatment are common in most addictions.

Once an accurate diagnosis is made, most Flunitrazepam addicts will undergo a medically supervised detoxification procedure that can last up to five days or longer. These detox procedures typically provide around the clock medical oversight in order to address any emergency situation as well as to alleviate undue discomfort caused by withdrawal symptoms.

After the detox process is completed and the patient is stabilized, the rehabilitation program can begin. At our drug treatment centers we provide a comprehensive, fully integrated recovery program that includes relapse prevention training and education. This specialized treatment program that is tailored to each client enables the addict to achieve full recovery as well as enjoy long term sobriety.

Start your recovery from Flunitarzepam (Rohypnol) today by calling our Drug Rehab Treatment Centers at 877-855-3470.