Rohypnol Rehabilitation
Introduction:
In our present time, a wide variety of drugs are being abused. Drugs that are meant to help in treating people are now being turned into drugs that kill people. Most of the time, drug abusers or drug dependents use these drugs to escape their problems; others are using it for recreational purposes; still others use drugs as an instrument to commit crime.
One of the drugs being abused heavily today is the drug Rohypnol.
History:
Rohypnol is the trade name of a drug called Flunitrazepam. It is a kind of drug which contains powerful sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, amnestic and muscle-relaxant properties. The drug was first synthesized in the year 1970. Roche Holding AG, a company that is known for their contribution in Pharmaceutical industry was the first to manufacture Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol). In 1975, the drug became available in many places in Europe. The drug was used in hospitals for patients who needed deep sedation. In the year 1980, it became available in different countries. However, it was only in the year 1990 when the drug became available in the United States.
Uses and Abuse of Rohypnol:
Rohypnol, though medically used abroad, is not legally available in the country. For most of the countries like United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, and many more, the drug is used to treat sleep disorders like insomnia. Though the effects of Rohypnol are almost like the effects of valium, Rohypnol, without a doubt, has a stronger effect compared to the former. In many studies conducted by experts, it has been proven that Rohypnol is 10 times more powerful than Valium. It can produce sedative effects in a period of 15 up to 30 minutes, and the effect lasts from 6 to 8 hours.
In the year 1970, illicit use of Rohypnol was reported in Europe. Since then, Rohypnol abuse became widespread, but it was only in the year 1990 that it reached the United States. Rohypnol addiction, since then, became a widespread problem in the United States. It reached many places in the United States, including places like South Florida, Texas, New York, and many more. That time, Rohypnol addiction was considered as one of the fastest-growing drug problems in the United States. Addiction to Rohypnol is not only prevalent with adults, but with teenagers as well. The illegal distribution of Rohypnol began to attract teenagers. Reports of using it along with beer, to strengthen the alcohol effect, came to alarm the society. Rohypnol is also taken by minors in combination with marijuana and cocaine, as well as heroin and other addictive drugs. Soon after, Rohypnol became a club drug. Rohypnol abuse is reportedly widespread in many high schools and colleges, especially in the United States. It became known to many of its users with the street names that include:
- rophy
- ruffles
- roofies
- ruffies
- roofenol
- ruff up
- rib
- roach 2
- la rocha
- R2
- R2-Do-U
- roche
- rope
- ropies
- circles
- circes
- forget it
- forget-me-pill
- Mexican Valium
- Circles
- Pingus
- Lunch Money Drug
Though many of these teenagers already knew the fatal effects that it can cause, they kept on using the drug extensively. Rohypnol is a dangerous drug; improper use of Rohypnol can lead to many illnesses. Some of the side effects of Rohypnol are:
- Relaxed feeling similar to alcohol intoxication
- Decreased blood pressure
- Muscle relaxation
- Drowsiness
- Memory impairment
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Nightmares
- Confusion
- Tremors
- Disinhibition, or freedom from psychological and social restraints on behavior
- Some users experience the paradoxical effect of excitability or aggressive behavior
- Anterograde amnesia - events that occurred while intoxicated are forgotten
Along with these, the tendency of Rohypnol becoming a stepping stone to harder drugs may take place. Rohypnol, nowadays, is also used as instrument to commit crimes such as rape. Rohypnol was known to be used prior to committing sexual assault, by slipping Rohypnol unnoticeably into the drinks of the victim. Once the effect of the medicine has taken place, the rapists can freely drag their victims to any place they wanted. Victims of this so called "date-rape," find themselves helpless, because of the effect of the Rohypnol on the nervous system.
Other Rohypnol effects are:
- physical dependence
- overdose
- hallucinations
- convulsion
- muscle pain
- even death
Rehabilitation to Rohypnol:
Rohypnol addiction and abuse can be treated in many ways. One of the very popular treatments in addiction is detoxification, a process wherein the patient's intoxication is being removed by another milder drug of similar chemistry to the one being abused. It has been said that this kind of treatment is the most comfortable way to get treated. It helps the patient by lessening unwanted withdrawals that sometimes lead to trauma. Detoxification also has the highest rate of success compared to other rehabilitation processes.
What Patients Say About Malibu Horizon:
The identities of the following people writing these testimonials have been withheld to protect their inalienable right to privacy. The names that follow are fictional names of the author’s choosing:
"Thanks to Malibu horizon for helping me during my darkest hours. I owe you a lot for saving me and making me feel brand new again. Now I can really say goodbye to Rohypnol addiction." – Hill
"I used Rohypnol as a kind of sleeping pill. Little did I know that I was already hooked into it and addiction has been developed. At one point in my life, I tried to stop it but I couldn’t. However, Malibu Horizon helped me by means of their detoxification procedure. It was a great thing that they offered me the easiest way to forget my habit. Thanks a lot." – Eric
"Rohypnol addiction made my life miserable. Because of that silly drug, I learned to do things that I normally couldn’t do. I was so helpless back then. I even learned how to use heroin. Luckily I have Malibu horizon by my side. They helped me throughout the process, until I finally got treated. Thanks a lot." – Matthew