Treatment Options for Rohypnol Addiction

Treatment can help people with Rohypnol addiction build a better life without drugs. Multiple options exist, so you can find the format and therapy that fits you.

Rohypnol is a sedative-hypnotic prescription medication. While it’s illegal in the United States, dealers often import and sell the drug to their customers. Each dose causes profound changes within the brain, and sometimes, those shifts make quitting difficult. 

There isn’t a single treatment path that will be effective for everyone. But as you learn about the options available, you can find one that works for you.

What Treatment Options Are Available for Rohypnol Addiction?

The best addiction treatment is tailored. Your treatment team should learn more about how Rohypnol abuse started, what you tried in the past, and how you plan to move forward. Together, you can decide if one of the following formats is best for your recovery.

Detox

Multiple Rohypnol doses deplete crucial brain chemicals. Quitting abruptly can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, including the following:

• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Restlessness
• Confusion
• Irritability 

Without treatment, these symptoms can progress to seizures. Instead of cold-turkey quitting, detox programs involve taking smaller and smaller doses until you’re using none at all. 

Detox doctors can also use medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and help you sleep, feel comfortable, and think clearly.

Inpatient Care

After detox programs, you may be sober. But you may be at risk of relapse if you head back home to deal with stressors and triggers. 

During an inpatient care program, you’ll work on your addiction all day. Your program might include the following:

• Group therapy
• Individual therapy 
• Meditation or yoga
• Support group
• Nutritional therapy 

Your family might visit you during the later stages of your recovery, but typically, you’ll be surrounded by others in recovery the majority of every day. 

Outpatient Care

Some people have strong support systems at home, and they can stay there while they work on recovery. You could move back home right after detox, or you could use an outpatient program after you’ve spent time in inpatient care. 

Some programs involve heading to the facility every day, while others are more flexible. Your team will design the program to meet your specific and individual needs.

Therapy Options Used in Treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved any medications to treat Rohypnol addiction. You can’t take a pill or a shot to help you stay sober. But you can use therapy to help you learn how to change your life.

Most addiction rehab therapy programs are made to help you learn how to avoid relapse. That means learning how to do the following:

• Recognize your triggers, or the factors that increase your Rohypnol cravings
• Handle cravings without relapsing to drug use
• Creating contingency plans for stressful situations
• Handle a slip without allowing it to become a full relapse

Multiple treatment options exist to help you learn these lessons. They include the following. 

Contingency Management

Some people find Rohypnol treatment very rewarding, and they enjoy spending time in therapy. But others struggle to stick with their treatment plans. Contingency management may help.

In a contingency management program, doctors use rewards earned by participating in therapy. You could get a small gift or perk for taking the following steps:

• Attending your therapy sessions
• Leading a support group
• Opening up to a family member
• Designing a healthy meal plan 

These rewards can help entice your brain cells to release dopamine, so you feel happier and more engaged with treatment. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This form of therapy is made to help you learn how to recognize, avoid, and cope with drug triggers. This is a common form of therapy in addiction treatment, and many people find it very effective.

A relapse doesn’t happen immediately, but it’s hard to see the steps. Your therapist can help you spot the negative thoughts that lead to poor behaviors, which lead to cravings and relapse. The behaviors you learn can stop the relapse before it starts.

Family Therapy

Some people have conflicts within their families that lead to stronger relapse cues and risks. Therapy with the whole group can allow them to work through conflicts together and emerge as a stronger unit that functions effectively. 

Life After Rehabilitation

About 75 percent of people in recovery achieve sobriety, but they often need multiple attempts to make it stick. The harder you work on changing your life, the more likely you are to achieve your sobriety quickly.

Many people find that it’s helpful to take the following steps:

• Surround yourself with sober people. 
• Avoid the people and places that remind you of drugs.
• Explore new hobbies.
• Focus on your health, including eating well and exercising regularly.

Some people stay engaged with their therapy teams for years, attending sessions when they need to discuss their challenges. That could be a good option for you if you’re struggling with your triggers.

Support Groups & Options for People in Recovery

Support groups connect you with people in recovery who likely have similar challenges, goals, and struggles. While support groups can’t replace therapy sessions held by an expert, they can be very helpful for some people. 

Some support groups follow a 12-step model (like Alcoholics Anonymous). You could go to meetings in this model, including those that are focused on alcohol. The methods you’ll learn to cope with substance abuse triggers are similar regardless of the substance used.

Other models, including LifeRing, also help to connect people in recovery, but the underlying method is slightly different. If you attend a 12-step meeting and feel uncomfortable, a meeting like this could be a better option for you.

Some people appreciate in-person meetings and the opportunity to sit in a room with others. You might also enjoy virtual meetings that allow you to connect with peers no matter where you are. Online meetings have increased accessibility to people all over the world.

A quick internet search can help you find a meeting near you. And if you can’t find one online, ask your doctor or therapist to connect you with a group that’s right for you. You might find a combination of in-person meetings and online support works best for you.