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Spiking

Dr Lynn Thomas, OStJ, BSc, MB.BS, MA, FRCPClinically reviewed: 28/04/2025

Find out what to do if you believe someone has been spiked.

What is spiking?

"Spiking" is when someone gives another person alcohol or drugs without their knowledge or consent. There are many ways a person might be spiked, including:

  • drink spiking: putting alcohol or drugs in their drink

  • needle spiking: injecting them with drugs

  • vape/cigarette spiking: putting drugs in their vape or cigarette

Signs and symptoms

  • feeling drunk, woozy, or drowsy

  • feeling “out of it” or drunker than expected

  • mental confusion

  • speech difficulties (such as slurring)

  • memory loss

  • loss of inhibitions

  • nausea and vomiting

  • breathing problems

  • muscle spasms or seizures

  • loss of consciousness

  • an unusually long hangover

  • a severe hangover after drinking little or no alcohol.

What to do

  1. 1

    Stay together when you're out with friends.

  2. 2

    Pace yourself. Keep an eye on how much you and your friends are drinking.

  3. 3

    Many bars and nightclubs (and many universities) offer bottle ‘bungs’ like a cork which can prevent drinks being spiked – ask for one.

  4. 4

    Don’t accept drinks from strangers, especially after you have had a few drinks.

  5. 5

    If you think your friend has been spiked:

    • Alert bar or event staff and the police, including reporting any suspicious behaviour

    • Do not let them continue to drink alcohol

    • Do not try to "flush out" what they might have ingested by over-drinking. Instead, keep them hydrated by encouraging them to drink water little and often

    • Try to get them to a safe place and make sure someone always stays with them

    • If they become unresponsive, put them in the recovery position, call 999 or 112 and get medical help

    • If they stop breathing, be prepared to do CPR.

  6. 6

    If you have used recreational drugs or drunk a lot of alcohol, it’s important to tell your friends what you have taken and when, and get medical help from event staff if you need it.

  7. 7

    Plan your route home—book taxis or download a rideshare app if trains or buses are not running.

  8. 8

    Most of all, look out for each other so you can end the night safely.

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