Spiking

How can SASH support you?

SASH can provide information and advice on spiking, as well as support through our different services. We can also put you in contact with organisations who can help with aftercare, as well as navigating legal routes.

What is spiking?

Spiking is a crime that refers to someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink or body without their consent or knowledge.

How does spiking happen?

Spiking occurs in a variety of different forms including:

• Drink spiking
• Cigarette/joint spiking
• Vape/E-cigarette spiking
• Food spiking
• Needle spiking

The most common cause of spiking in the UK is drink spiking, which is when someone added something to someone’s drink without their knowledge or consent. In most cases, alcohol or drugs are used to spike someone.

The most common types of drugs used to spike someone include:

• GHB
• GBL
• Rohypnol
• Ketamine

How might someone feel after being spiked?

Depending on the substance and spiking method, the person who has been spiked might experience feeling:

• Confused
• Nauseous or needing to vomit
• Paranoid or experiencing hallucinations
• Disorientated or have poor coordination
• Like you’ve lost the ability to communicate properly
• Dizzy or falling unconscious

Can anyone be spiked?

A lot of people are quick to blame those who get spiked for taking things like drinks and food from strangers. Something to stress is that anyone can spike anyone. This includes people you know, such as friends, colleagues,  family members, and even sexual or romantic partners.

Where does spiking happen?

Whilst there are many cases of spiking at social events and locations such as clubs, festivals, parties and gatherings, spiking can happen anywhere if the spiker thinks they can get away with spiking someone.
Drink spiking typically occurs in settings where alcohol is present, because it's easier for a perpetrator to blame excessive alcohol consumption for the person they’ve spiked behaving differently, because being spiked can present similarly to being drunk.
If you or someone else starts to feel strange, uneasy, uncomfortable, or more drunk than you thought you should be, seek help straight away.

Why does spiking happen?

Spiking can happen for a number of reasons, and can happen to anyone, anywhere, as well as being something that can be carried out by strangers or people you know.
Reasons can range from a friend trying to help you ‘let loose a little’ by ordering you a double alcohol shot instead of a single, to something a lot more sinister such as preluding sexual or physical assault.
Regardless of the reasoning, whether it is fun between friends or not, the results of spiking can be extremely dangerous, and can even cause life-altering damage.

Spiking and the law

Spiking is illegal and carries a sentence of up to ten years in prison. If you or someone you know has been spiked, you should report is as soon as possible to the police. The sooner it is reported, the easier it is to retrieve evidence of what has been used for the spiking.

How can I prevent my drink from being spiked?

To prevent drink spiking, it is recommended to:

• Only drink drinks you’ve watched be poured
• Don’t take drinks from strangers, only people you know and trust
• Keep your drinks covered (you can use covers such as StopTops or scrunchie drink covers)
• Watch out for your friends and look after one another
• Never leave your drink unattended
• Ensure your night is planned out including the journey to and from your destination
• Make sure the venue you are going to is licensed

Similarly, the same applies to spiking with food or with other items such as vapes.

What do I do if myself or someone else has been spiked?

If you suspect you or someone else has been spiked, get yourself or them to safety and let someone trustworthy know. This can be staff, friends, family, or security. If there is no one around you can trust, then call emergency services on 999.

At SASH, we can provide support and advice but also put you in contact with other services and organisations who can help you with legal proceedings and aftercare.