about spiking

What Is Drink Spiking

A person’s drink can be spiked for a number of reasons, including theft or sexual assault.

Every year, worldwide, thousands of people are thought to be victims of drink spiking, where drugs or alcohol are added to someone’s drink without them knowing.

In some cases, so called date rape drugs are used to spike a drink before a sexual assault. Many more incidents happen on holiday or go unreported due to embarrassment or memory loss.

‘Date Rape’ Drugs

Ketamine and Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) are the most commonly known ‘date rape’ drugs.

 

If your drink has been spiked it’s unlikely that you will see, smell or taste any difference. Most ‘date rape’ drugs take effect within 15-30 minutes and symptoms usually last for several hours.

 

Date rape drugs may come in powder, tablet or liquid form, and do not always have an unusual taste or smell. The most prevalent drugs that have reportedly been used for drink spiking are GHB and Ketamine.

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a brief summary of the growing problem in UK bars and nightclubs

Possible Symptoms of Drink Spiking

Most ‘date-rape’ drugs take effect within 15–30 minutes, and their symptoms can last for several hours. If you lose consciousness, it may be difficult to understand the full impact of what has happened, and you may still experience symptoms even after a night’s sleep. Te physical effects of being spiked can even last for a few days afterwards.

If you have CYD® test strips with you, test your drink as soon as something feels “off”. Symptoms vary depending on the substance used, but commonly include:

  • Feeling very drunk after little or no alcohol
  • Sudden hot flushes, sweating, or chills
  • Dizziness, confusion, blurred vision, hallucinations
  • Loss of motor control, limb numbness, or coordination
  • Unusual jaw movements (chewing/gurning)
  • Memory loss or complete blackouts
  • Vomiting or incontinence
  • Visual disturbances, including blurred vision, eye twitching, hallucinations, or “out of body” sensations
  • Paranoia or intense fear
  • Confusion or disorientation, especially after waking up
  • Unconsciousness

If you experience any of these symptoms unexpectedly, do not continue drinking, try to reach a trusted person immediately, and seek help as soon as possible.

drugged girl sml

If you think you’ve been spiked…

  • Keep your CYD® test if it shows a positive result

  • Tell someone you trust immediately – a friend, staff member, security, or medical personnel

  • Get to a safe place or home – avoid strangers

  • Don’t give your address to a stranger/someone you have just met!

  • If severely unwell or unconscious, get to A&E.

  • Show your test to hospital staff or

  • Get a trusted friend or relative to take you home and stay with you until the drugs have fully left your system

  • Report the incident – it is a crime! This helps authorities track trends and protect others!

  • Abroad? Ask venue staff to contact local police or reach out to the British Embassy via GOV.UK: https://gov.uk/world/organisations.

How to Avoid Being Spiked

If your drink has been spiked it’s unlikely that you will see, smell or taste any difference. Some drugs, such as GHB, may taste slightly salty or smell unusual. If you start to feel strange or more drunk than you should be, get help immediately.

The following steps may  help prevent drink spiking:

1. Plan Ahead

  • Let someone know where you’re going and what time you expect to be home.
  • Make plans for your journey home at the start of your evening.
  • Avoid taking valuables that might attract thieves.
  • If travelling abroad, familiarise yourself with the local area and where you can find help. Remember, drink spiking is a global issue – consider taking CYD® tests with you.

2. Stay With Trusted People

  • Don’t go out drinking alone – go with friends and look out for one another.
  • Consider appointing a “drink watcher” within your group.
  • Don’t spend time alone with someone who makes you feel uneasy; trust your instincts. Your wellbeing is worth more than the price of a drink.

3. Protect Your Drinks

  • Never leave your drink unattended.
  • Only accept drinks directly from the bartender and keep your eyes on your order.
  • If you leave your drink on a table or the dance floor, be cautious about returning to it.
  • Avoid punch bowls or shared jugs of cocktails.
  • Remember: soft drinks can also be targeted.
  • Consider using a drinks cover – CYD® will soon be partnering with an environmentally friendly provider (the product is also bar friendly!).

4. Be Aware and Stay In Control

  • Stay aware of what’s happening around you.
  • Keep an eye on how much you and your friends are drinking.
  • If friends appear more intoxicated than expected, or if you hear talk of spiking, leave immediately and do not return.
  • Be aware of your date’s ability to consent. If someone is too intoxicated to respond or react, continuing is a criminal offence.

5. Respond Quickly If Something Feels Wrong

  • If you think your drink has been tampered with, don’t drink it. Tell a trusted friend or relative immediately.
  • Don’t give out your address to someone you’ve just met.
  • If you suspect your drink has been spiked, test it with CYD®.

CYD® strips can detect GHB, Ketamine, Scopolamine, Cocaine and other amines. If more people carried CYD®, potential offenders would think twice about attempting to spike drinks.