What to do if Your Drink is Spiked

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A spiked drink is one of the scariest things when it comes to a night out. It can be completely unexpected and lead to horrifying experiences. Thankfully, you can take several precautions to avoid it and learn what to do if your drink is spiked to avoid the worst that can happen.

What is a spiked drink?

Drink spiking is when someone puts drugs in your drink without you knowing. These drugs cause mild-altering effects that change the way you behave. We call drinks that have these drugs in them spiked drinks.

There are many different reasons why people spike drinks. The most common are sexual or physical assault, rape, theft and amusement.

This is a criminal offence and criminals target a multitude of different people.

I think someone put something in my drink, what are the symptoms?

The symptoms will differ depending on which substance was used, but they usually have these symptoms in common:

  • Lowered inhibitions
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Loss of balance
  • Blurred vision
  • Blackouts
  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Hallucinations
  • Paranoia
  • Nausea
  • Unconsciousness

The effects usually take about 30 minutes to kick in and can last for a few hours. If you are feeling any of these effects, seek help from the venue staff and call the police.

How to avoid spiked drinks

Spiked drinks are almost impossible to detect. Prevention is the only thing you can do to avoid becoming a victim.

Here are the steps you can take to prevent drink spiking:

  • Never leave your drink unattended
  • Keep an eye on your friends' drinks
  • Never accept drinks from people you don’t know
  • Avoid open-service drinks like punch bowls
  • Don’t bring valuable items with you when you go drinking
  • Let people know where you are going and when to expect you back
  • Be aware of the local area and where you can get help

What to do if you've had a spiked drink

Let someone that you trust know immediately. If you are at a venue, you can ask a bartender for help too. You need them to get you to a safe space. At this point, you can also call the police and someone that can help you to take you home. It is best if you report the crime to the police within 12 hours as they may need to take a drug test.

If you have been sexually assaulted, you need to get medical attention as soon as possible. You will need to do STI tests and pregnancy tests.

If you need help with how to move forward or your next step, contact us at Get Help. Our professional staff will guide you through what you need to do after encountering a spiked drink.