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What is Spiking?

What is spiking

What is spiking?

Spiking is the process of adding an additional substance, such as drugs or alcohol, to somebody’s drink without their knowledge or permission.

Spiking safety tips 

  1. Before going out, let someone know where you’re going and what time you expect to be home.

  1. Make plans for your journey home

  2. Never leave your drink unattended - keep an eye on your own and your friends’ drinks.

  3. Get drinks directly from the bartender - don’t accept a drink from someone you don’t know.

  4. Consider sticking to bottled drinks and avoiding punch bowls or jugs of cocktails with wide openings.

  5. Use anti-spiking products, such a anti-spiking stoppers, drink protectors and glass covers.

  6. If you think your drink’s been tampered with, don’t drink it – tell a trusted person and the venue immediately.

How do I know if my drink has been spiked?

It can be difficult to spot the symptoms as they vary depending on what you have been spiked with and can be similar to having excess alcohol. If you start to feel strange or more drunk than you thought you should be, seek help straight away.

Although symptoms vary from substance to substance, symptoms usually include some of the following:

  • Lowered inhibitions
  • Difficulty concentrating or speaking
  • Loss of balance and finding it hard to move
  • Visual problems, particularly blurred vision
  • Memory loss (amnesia) or blackouts
  • Feeling confused or disorientated, particularly after waking up (if you have been asleep/unconscious)
  • Paranoia (a feeling of fear or distrust of others)
  • Hallucinations (seeing, hearing or touching things that aren’t there) or having an ‘out of body’ experience
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Unconsciousness

What should I do if I think my drink has been spiked?

  1. Immediately tell someone you trust, as well as the venue.

  2. If you need urgent help, call 999, or ask the venue to do this for you.

  3. Be wary of accepting help from a stranger and don’t leave with someone you don’t know.

  4. If you feel unwell, someone you trust should take you to your nearest A&E department. Tell the medical staff that you think your drink’s been spiked.

  5. Arrange for a trusted friend or relative to take you home and stay with you until the drugs have fully left your system.

  6. Report it to the police as soon as you can. They may ask you to provide blood and urine samples. Some drugs leave the body in less than 12 hours, so it is important to report and test as soon as possible. Other drugs remain in the body longer so testing can take place up to seven days after the incident.

Report the incident to the venue as soon as possible.

How do I report an incident?


Reporting at the time:

  • If you think you or a friend has been spiked, call 999 immediately. It is important to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible

  • Report the incident to the venue, giving them the suspected spiked drink to be collected as evidence for the police. The venue should have policies and procedures in place to look after you until you receive emergency assistance from police or paramedics, as required

Reporting later:

  • You can report a crime involving spiking online, or by calling the police on 101
  • Report the incident to the venue as soon as possible

For more information, visit Stamp Out Spiking and DrinkAware. If you have been a victim and require support, use out Support Directory to find relevant contacts.