Alcohol, Drugs, Vaping and Gambling: Making Informed Choices · Lesson 4 of 8 · 9 min

Drink Spiking: Signs and What to Do

Spiking means someone adds alcohol or drugs to your drink without your knowledge. It can happen to anyone, including people who do not drink alcohol, and it is never the victim's fault.

Signs to watch for

Drinkaware lists symptoms including lowered inhibitions, loss of balance, feeling sleepy, visual problems, confusion, nausea, vomiting and unconsciousness.
A key warning sign is feeling strange, or more drunk than you should be, especially after drinking little or no alcohol.
Watch your friends too: someone who suddenly seems very unwell or confused needs help straight away.
Symptoms can come on quickly, so act early rather than waiting to see if it passes.

Reducing the risk

Never leave your drink unattended, whether it is alcoholic or not.
Do not accept drinks from people you do not know, and watch your drink being poured or opened.
Stick together with friends and agree to look out for each other all night.
Some venues offer drink stoppers or covers for bottles; use them if available.
Drink testing kits can detect some drugs, but Drinkaware warns they do not test for everything and cannot detect extra alcohol, so do not rely on them.

If you think you have been spiked

Tell a friend you trust straight away, and stay with them.
Tell venue staff or security; they can help and support you.
In the UK, report it to police on 999 (emergency) or 101; Drinkaware says police need to know about every possible spiking.
If you are injured or have worrying symptoms, call NHS 111 or go to A&E in the UK. In the UAE, call 999 for police or 998 for an ambulance.
Do not go home alone, and do not leave with anyone you do not know or trust.

If a friend may have been spiked

Tell security or staff, stay with your friend and keep talking to them.
Do not let them drink any more alcohol.
Call an ambulance if their condition gets worse.
Do not let them go home alone or leave with someone you do not know or trust.
Afterwards, help them report it if they want to, and remind them it was not their fault.

Practise in real life

Tick each one off when you have done it.

Agree a 'buddy rule' with your friends: nobody leaves alone and nobody leaves a drink unattended.
Save the emergency and non-emergency police numbers for your study city in your phone.
Practise what you would say to a bouncer: 'My friend has had one drink and suddenly can't stand up. I think she's been spiked. Can you help us?'

Remember

Spiking can happen to anyone, with or without alcohol, and it is never the victim's fault.
Feeling far more affected than you should is a warning sign.
Tell staff, stay together, call for help, and never let a spiked friend leave alone.
Testing kits are not fully reliable.

Note: The reporting steps (999, 101, NHS 111) are UK-specific; in the UAE use 999 for police and 998 for an ambulance, and elsewhere check the local emergency number. If you have been assaulted, specialist confidential support is available; ask a doctor, the police or your university welfare team. If you or someone you know is struggling: in an emergency in the UAE call 999 (police) or 998 (ambulance); in the UK call 999. In the UAE, the National Rehabilitation Centre in Abu Dhabi treats alcohol and substance use problems. In the UK, FRANK (0300 123 6600) helps with drugs, the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) is free and open 24 hours, and Samaritans (116 123) listen day or night. A trusted adult, school counsellor, university welfare team or doctor is always a good first step.

Check yourself

1. Which is a sign of possible spiking?

2. Your friend may have been spiked. What should you NOT do?

3. What does Drinkaware say about drink testing kits?

4. Can someone who drinks only soft drinks be spiked?

5. In the UK, why should you report a suspected spiking to police?