Being “roofied” refers to unknowingly being given drugs or excessive alcohol to compromise consent or resistance, often termed drug-facilitated assault. This can leave individuals disoriented and with memory gaps, making timely drug testing important. Understanding how long these substances remain detectable is important for medical care and potential legal action. Swift action following a suspected incident can influence substance detection.
Common Drugs Used and Their Effects
Alcohol is frequently involved in drug-facilitated assaults, sometimes combined with other substances. Perpetrators exploit alcohol’s disinhibiting effects. Other drugs are also used due to their rapid onset and ability to induce vulnerability.
Rohypnol, a benzodiazepine, can cause sedation, muscle relaxation, and amnesia. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a central nervous system depressant that can lead to euphoria, disorientation, unconsciousness, and memory loss. Ketamine produces dissociative effects and hallucinations, impairing motor and cognitive functions. These drugs are often odorless, colorless, and tasteless when added to drinks, making them difficult for victims to detect.
Testing Methods and Detection Windows
Detecting drugs used in drug-facilitated assault requires specific testing methods, each with a different detection window. Urine tests are a common method for screening due to their non-invasiveness and affordability. The detection window in urine varies significantly by drug.
GHB, for instance, has a short detection window in urine, typically up to 12 hours after ingestion, though some sources suggest it might be detectable for up to three days. Rohypnol can be detected in urine for up to five days, or up to ten days with high doses. Ketamine and its breakdown products, like norketamine, can be found in urine for a few days to several weeks, with some studies indicating detection for up to 14 days, or even 30 days with heavy or chronic use.
Blood tests offer high accuracy but generally have shorter detection windows and are more invasive. GHB can be detected in blood for up to 8 hours, though some studies suggest up to 72 hours. Rohypnol is detectable in the bloodstream for up to 24 hours. Ketamine can be detected in blood for up to 24 to 48 hours.
Hair follicle tests provide the longest detection window, offering a record of drug exposure over an extended period. Rohypnol can be detected in hair for up to 30 to 90 days after use. GHB may be detectable in hair for up to a month or even 90 days, though some sources state there is no reliable hair test for GHB. Ketamine can be detected in hair follicles for up to 90 days, or several months to years depending on hair length.
Saliva tests are less common and have shorter detection times. GHB is detectable for up to 6 hours, and ketamine for up to 24 to 48 hours.
Immediate Steps and Where to Get Tested
If someone suspects they have been drugged, seeking safety and medical attention is the priority. Go to a hospital emergency room or contact 911 if safety is a concern. Preserving evidence is also important. Victims should try not to shower, bathe, douche, or change clothes, and avoid excessive eating or drinking before testing.
Hospitals and Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs) can perform testing. A SART is a community-based team, often including Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs), hospital personnel, advocates, and law enforcement, coordinating care for sexual assault victims. These facilities can provide a sexual assault forensic exam, sometimes called a “rape kit,” and collect blood and urine samples for toxicology testing.
Toxicology samples should be collected as soon as possible, ideally within 96 hours, even if the individual is undecided about reporting to law enforcement. The first available urine sample is preferred in suspected cases of drug-facilitated assault. Law enforcement agencies and emergency medical services may have procedures for collecting samples if a person cannot wait to urinate until they arrive at a medical facility.
Factors Affecting Detection
Several factors influence how long drugs remain detectable. The dosage of the drug consumed plays a role; higher doses may remain detectable longer. Frequency of use also matters, as regular or chronic use can lead to drug accumulation.
Individual metabolism, influenced by age, weight, body composition, and liver function, affects how quickly a drug is eliminated. The presence of other substances, such as alcohol, can impact metabolism and detection times. The specific drug’s half-life, the time it takes for half of the substance to be eliminated, is another determinant.