drink spiking

Drink spiking occurs when someone puts a drug into your drink without you knowing. These substances may not have an unusual taste or smell, so you may not realize if your drink has been spiked. The drugs used are mind-altering substances that affect how you behave.

Most spiking drugs take effect within 30 minutes, and symptoms usually last for several hours. You may still feel some of the symptoms after a night's sleep.

Although your symptoms will depend on which substance has been used, they usually include some of the following:

• Feeling drunk very quickly

• Feeling woozy or drowsy

• Lowered inhibitions

• Difficulty concentrating or speaking

• Loss of balance and finding it hard to control your movement

• Vision problems, particularly blurred vision

• Memory loss or 'blackouts'

• Feeling confused or disorientated, particularly after waking up (if you have been asleep)

• Paranoia (a feeling of fear or distrust of others)

• Hallucinations (seeing, hearing or touching things that are not there) 

• Nausea and vomiting

• Unconsciousness

If your drink has been spiked, it's unlikely that you'll see, smell or taste any difference. Some drugs, such as GHB, may taste slightly salty or smell unusual.

The following steps may help prevent drink spiking:

1. Never leave your drink unattended, and keep an eye on your friends' drinks.

2. Do not accept a drink from someone you do not know.

3. Observe the waiter or bartender when they prepare the drink. 

4. Don't take your eyes off your drink. If you need to leave (to go to the toilet or dance, for example), ask a trusted friend to keep watch.

5. Ask for a lid cover at the bar/club and if they are not available consider sticking to bottled drinks. 

6. If you think your drink's been tampered with, do not drink it – tell a trusted friend or relative immediately.

7. Never tell a stranger your address.

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

9. Make plans for your journey home.

10. Avoid taking expensive belongings with you or anything that could be a target for thieves.

If you start to feel strange or drunker than you should be, get help immediately!

1. Alert a trusted person  - such as a friend or venue staff about what is happening ASAP.

2. If you are not with anyone, call someone you trust and get to a safe place. Ask to use a phone if yours has been stolen.

3. Call 112 or our emergency phone at +34 675 23 56 56 to get medical attention ASAP. Tell the medical staff that you think you have been spiked.

4. Be wary of accepting help from a stranger and do not leave with someone you do not know.

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

6. If you suspect you have been the victim of needle spiking it is very important you receive medical attention ASAP. The medical professionals will assess the need of administrating an HIV prophylaxis (to prevent HIV contagion). This treatment should be received within 72 hours of the needle spiking.

7. If you think you might have been sexually assaulted, you should get medical attention as soon as possible. Call the emergency phone at +34 675 23 56 56 and we will assist you in going to the hospital that specializes in these types of cases: Hospital Clinic.