“Women who claim to be victims of ‘date-rape’ drugs such as Rohypnol have in fact been rendered helpless by binge-drinking, says a study by doctors. They found no evidence that any woman seeking help from emergency doctors because their drinks were allegedly spiked had actually been given these drugs. Around one in five tested positive for recreational drugs while two-thirds had been drinking heavily. The findings further erode the theory that there is widespread use of Rohypnol and GHB… Doctors carrying out the latest study at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital said it was far more likely women were claiming their drinks had been spiked as an ‘excuse’ for binge-drinking. The 12-month study was based on 75 patients — mostly women — treated in casualty who told doctors their drinks had been tampered with in pubs or clubs. But tests for drugs such as Rohypnol, GHB and ketamine found nothing, says the study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal. It showed 65 per cent of women had 160mg of alcohol in their blood — twice the 80mg drink/drive limit — and a quarter were three times over the limit. Although all the patients denied taking drugs such as cocaine and amphetamine, one fifth tested positive.” — ThisIsLondon.co.uk (UK)

(Thanks to Furpo for the link.)

It seems easy to understand the psychology underlying this interesting research result. If your drink is spiked, you have no responsibility for what happens to you afterward. You’re a victim, clean and simple. However, if you simply drink too much, it implies some personal responsibility in what happens to you. No one wants to think that she colluded, in however small a way, with her rapist. Yes, the responsibility ultimately lies with the rapist, but if you’ve drunk yourself into oblivion, it’s probably difficult to hold your head high. You might tell yourself that it’s as though you told Mr. Wrong, “Here, let me make your job a little easier. I’ll get piss drunk.”

Some of the research here supports this interpretation. For example, the full article documenting this research mentions that every patient denied using street drugs, and yet researchers found that 20% tested positive for opiates, amphetamines, ecstasy or cocaine. (Did they not test for pot?) The denial implies a disavowal of personal responsibility, as well as a desire not to get in legal trouble.

On the other hand, the article also notes that doctors informed incoming patients about the methods and aims of the study. Women agreed to participate, knowing full well they would be questioned and subject to blood and urine tests. This implies that the women were probably being truthful in their belief that their drinks were spiked. If so, these women weren’t failing to take responsibility for their actions but were simply ignorant about the dangers of binge drinking. They couldn’t tell the difference between downing too much and being slipped a mickey. Or rather, they didn’t realize that drinking too heavily is tantamount to slipping themselves a mickey.

For this reason, the doctors write: “There have been a number of publicity campaigns in recent years to raise the awareness of drink spiking. Emphasis should also be laid on how excess alcohol consumption makes people more vulnerable to assaults and injury.” In short, it’s not the spike in your drink that makes you vulnerable, it’s the drink itself. Forget Special K or GHB. Alcohol remains the date-rape drug of choice.

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