Spiking
What is spiking?
Spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink without their knowledge and/or consent.
Most substances that are used to spike drinks are odourless, colourless and tasteless making them very hard to spot but excessive bubbles, sinking ice, a foggy appearance and a change in your drink’s colour and/or taste (more bitter or salty) are all potential warning signs.
Adding extra alcohol to an alcoholic drink or putting alcohol into a non-alcoholic drink are also forms of spiking.
Other forms of spiking:
Spiking can also occur via
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needles - injecting drugs into someone else's body without their knowledge or consent
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vapes or cigarettes – lacing cigarettes or e-cigarettes with drugs
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food – adding drugs to someone’s food without their knowledge or consent
The effects spiking will depend on the substance consumed but some common signs to look out for include:
- Lower inhibitions
- Loss of balance
- Difficulty concentrating or talking
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Memory loss or blackouts
- Confusion, paranoia and/or hallucinations
Keep an eye on friends and those you are out with. The best precaution you can take to protect yourself from spiking is to never leave your drink unattended and don’t accept drinks from strangers.
Some venues hand out free drink toppers to deter drink spiking or you can buy your own.
If you think you have been spiked, immediately tell someone you know or someone in a position of trust like a member of staff or security in a bar or pub. If you need urgent help, call 999.
Being spiked can be a very frightening experience and can cause severe distress, anxiety and emotional harm.
If you have been a victim of spiking and need support, contact Victims First on 0300 1234 148 or use our online form found at Get Support Now.