Did the sparkling New Year’s Eve ball drop last night? You don’t remember. You find yourself in bed, unclothed and unable to recall all the events of the night before. You attended a party, drank mixed drinks, and later had champagne. You laughed and danced with the person you met via the dating app. The rest of the evening is blank. Anxiety builds. What happened?
This is a common scenario for those concerned about a potential sexual assault (date rape) associated with an unrealized drug administration—a spiked drink. Victims wake up and cannot remember the previous evening after going to a bar or having drinks with someone, an experience called anterograde amnesia. With anterograde amnesia, the individual is unable to recall events after taking a particular drug, most commonly those in the benzodiazepine class. When a patient is headed for the operating room for surgery, they receive a cocktail of drugs given by the anesthesiologist to help them relax and “forget” being wheeled into what might be an intimidating operating theater. The benzodiazepine midazolam is frequently given because of its rapid onset, and ability to reduce the anxiety of the initial experience. When patients wake up after having their operation, they have little recall of the events. In this scenario, the anterograde amnesia is welcome. However, in the case of a drug-induced sexual assault, it is not.
Date rape drugs are predominantly central nervous system depressants and are usually colorless, tasteless, and odorless, making them ideal to slip into a drink unnoticed. They leave the victim confused, dizzy, and unable to remember what happened. Common drugs used in drug-facilitated assaults are mainly benzodiazepines. Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol®), known by the street name Roofies, and clonazepam (Klonopin®) are sedative-hypnotics that produce muscle relaxation, drowsiness, confusion, decreased blood pressure, visual disturbances, urinary retention, and memory impairment. Flunitrazepam takes effect in thirty minutes, peaks in two hours, and persists up to eight hours. One milligram can impair a victim for eight to twelve hours—ten times more potent than diazepam (Valium®). Although flunitrazepam is not manufactured or sold in the United States, it is frequently smuggled into the US.
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that produces a dream-like state and hallucinations. Individuals may feel disconnected from their environment, not in control, woozy, nauseous, and have no memory while under the drug’s influence. It takes effect within thirty minutes and may last an hour or more.
Non-benzodiazepines like GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid) and club drugs such as Ecstasy (MDMA or methylenedioxymethamphetamine) can also be given unknowingly to individuals. Alcohol (ethyl alcohol) is a central nervous system depressant and impairs judgment. Excess consumption of ethanol produces confusion and slowed responses, and in combination with other drugs or medications, can amplify symptoms. With an alcohol buzz already taking over, signs of a spiked drink may be missed.
It’s a good idea to keep control of your drink. Hold onto it—don’t leave it on the table when you go to the restroom; check for anything amiss—cloudy or off-color—or residue from an undissolved pill.
The Drug-Induced Rape Prevention and Punishment Act of 1996 amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to impose severe penalties (imprisonment and fines) “for violating CSA provisions by distributing a controlled substance to an individual without that individual’s knowledge, with the intent to commit a crime of violence (including rape) against such an individual.” Laboratory analysis for drug detection depends on the matrix (urine, blood/serum, or hair) and is time-dependent. Since many drugs have a short half-life and are cleared from the body quickly, they may not be detectable before the victim becomes aware of their circumstances.
The term “slipping a Mickey” has become synonymous with tainting a drink with drugs to incapacitate the victim for whatever purpose (robbery or sexual assault). Mickey Finn was a Chicago bartender of the Lone Star Saloon who, in 1903, was accused of slipping chloral hydrate into the drinks of his patrons so he could rob them.
In cases of suspected drug-facilitated assault, it’s best to seek medical attention from the nearest emergency department as soon as possible. For more information contact, National Sexual Assault Hotline: Confidential 24/7 Support | RAINN
Have a happy and SAFE New Year.
*Please note, the content of my Poison Blog is for informational and educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals.