• Symptoms of Drink Spiking
• How Do I Detect if My Drink Was Spiked?
• What to Do After Suspecting Drink Spiking
• Long-Term Effects of Being Spiked
• After-Effects of Being Spiked

Symptoms of Drink Spiking

Confusion

You may experience sudden and intense confusion, making it difficult to understand your surroundings or recall events.

Nausea or Vomiting

Unexplained nausea or vomiting can occur, especially if you have not consumed a lot of alcohol or food.

Hallucinations and Paranoia

You might see or hear things that aren’t there or feel an overwhelming sense of paranoia or fear.

Disorientation or Poor Coordination

Difficulty with balance and coordination, such as stumbling or bumping into things, is common.

Loss of Ability to Communicate Properly

You may find it hard to speak clearly, form sentences, or communicate effectively.

Unconsciousness

Some substances can cause you to lose consciousness or black out, even if you haven’t drunk much alcohol.

Lowered Inhibitions

You may act in ways you wouldn’t normally, such as taking risks or engaging in inappropriate behaviour.

Loss of Balance

Unexpected loss of balance or inability to stand properly, even after a small amount of alcohol.

Feeling Sleepy

Sudden drowsiness or a strong urge to sleep can occur, often unrelated to the amount of alcohol consumed.

Visual Problems

Blurred or double vision, or seeing things that aren’t real, can be a symptom.

How Do I Detect if My Drink Was Spiked?

You can't always tell from the smell or taste if a drink has been spiked. The doesn't sink either as some people think. It's not always easy to spot the symptoms of spiking either because they're similar to being very drunk. However, identifying a spiked drink can help prevent consuming more. Watch out for these signs:

• Colour Changes: Any change in the drink's colour, especially if it turns darker, lighter, or blue.
• Cloudiness: Clear drinks becoming cloudy or murky.
• Excessive Bubbles: Unexpected fizzing or bubbling in non-carbonated drinks.
• Funny Taste: A bitter, salty, or unusual taste that wasn’t there before.

What to Do After Suspecting Drink Spiking

If you suspect you or a friend have consumed a spiked drink, take the following steps immediately:

• Seek Help: Inform someone you trust or venue staff, and seek medical attention.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, but avoid more alcohol.
• Rest: Find a safe place to rest until you feel better.
• Report It: Inform the authorities or security to prevent further incidents. Report it to the Police online, phone 101 or use the app Police.UK (Android, iOS)

Long-Term Effects of Being Spiked

The effects of drink spiking can extend beyond immediate symptoms:

• Anxiety and PTSD: The traumatic experience can lead to long-term anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Trust Issues: You might find it difficult to trust others in social situations.
• Memory Problems: Prolonged memory issues related to the incident.

After-Effects of Being Spiked

After experiencing drink spiking, you might face ongoing physical and emotional symptoms:

• Physical Symptoms: Persistent fatigue, muscle soreness, or headaches.
• Emotional Symptoms: Feelings of violation, helplessness, or fear that may require counselling.

Next: How to Prevent Drink Spiking