Rohypnol, known generically as flunitrazepam and colloquially as “Roofies,” is a powerful psychotropic drug that creates both mental and physical addiction when abused more than a couple of times. Though at one time it was commonly prescribed as an anticonvulsant and a sedative, its potency and potential for abuse eventually caused it to be banned in the US.
However, it is still prescribed internationally, so some of it is diverted from legal markets to make it readily available from illicit drug dealers. It is classified as a benzodiazepine, though its intoxicating effects are significantly more powerful than approved anti-anxiety medications, such as Xanax or Prozac.
Psychological Addiction to Rohypnol
As with all benzodiazepines, Rohypnol relieves underlying psychological or emotional distress as it provides its high. People have an increased risk of becoming addicted to benzodiazepines like Rohypnol if they wrestle with any of the following psychological disorders:
- Anxiety disorders
- Compulsive behaviors
- Trauma
- Process addictions
- Depression
The brain recognizes the relief Rohypnol offers, and it will crave that relief in ways that are far stronger than conscious thought. In other words, addicts cannot avoid Rohypnol abuse through willpower alone. These cravings often continue for months or even years after people stop using the drug. Certain life events that create intense sadness, panic, worry, loneliness or other kinds of distress can also cause Rohypnol relapse.
Rebounding from Rohypnol Addiction
Relapse is frustratingly common in addiction recovery, but it need not be the end of your journey to sobriety. If you have recently relapsed in your Rohypnol recovery, then consider the following 5 ways to bounce back quickly:
- Call for help – After you relapse, your instincts may be to hide from friends, loved ones, recovery coaches or others out of shame or embarrassment, but one of the surest ways to fall further into addiction is to keep your relapse a secret. Call your recovery coach, doctor, therapist, or our toll-free helpline right now and talk about your relapse; it is amazing what a few words of encouragement and support can mean for recovery.
- Identify untreated co-occurring disorders – Relapse often indicates unidentified, co-occurring issues. A specially trained Rohypnol recovery therapist can help you identify and treat such disorders before your sobriety completely unravels.
- Get back on the horse – Many relapsed addicts assume that their recovery is now over, but nothing could be further from the truth. If you have fallen off the wagon, then just get back on. Do not wallow; do not make excuses: own the situation and take empowering steps forward to prevent it from happening again.
- Stay connected – Relapse often causes addicts to avoid the relationships they need most. Find a meeting, call your sponsor, spend time with healthy people and make sure not to retreat from important relationships. You are loved and respected, and there are people in your corner.
- Help others – One of the most empowering tools in the process of recovery is helping other addicts on their own journeys to sobriety. If you have relapsed, grab the reins and get busy encouraging others in their recovery.
In other words, relapse does not mean that addiction recovery has failed, unless you allow it to be so.
Rohypnol Relapse Help
For more information about recovering from a Rohypnol relapse, then call our toll-free, 24 hour helpline right now. You can get and stay clean with the right help.