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COMMON SIGNS THAT SOMEONE (or yourself) HAS BEEN SPIKED
It can be hard to tell if you or someone else has been spiked, especially since many of the substances used are colourless, odourless, and tasteless. However, there are a few key signs to look out for that can indicate something isn’t quite right:
SIGNS IN YOURSELF
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Sudden drowsiness or fatigue: You may start feeling unusually tired or like you can’t keep your eyes open, even though you haven’t had much to drink.
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Dizziness or lightheadedness: If you suddenly feel woozy, lightheaded, or like the room is spinning, it could be a sign that something’s wrong.
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Feeling unusually intoxicated: Even if you haven’t been drinking much, you might feel overly drunk or disoriented. This is especially true if you’ve had little alcohol compared to how you’re feeling.
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Confusion or disorientation: If you’re suddenly having trouble focusing, remembering things, or you just feel "off," it’s a red flag.
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Memory gaps: If you can’t remember parts of your night or are experiencing sudden memory loss, something might have been added to your drink.
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Nausea or vomiting: Feeling suddenly nauseous or throwing up without any clear reason can be a sign that you’ve been spiked.
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Loss of coordination: If you’re struggling to walk, talk, or move your body the way you normally would, this could be due to drink spiking.
SIGNS IN OTHERS
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Unusual behaviour: If a friend is suddenly acting out of character—whether it’s being overly loud, affectionate, or aggressive—it could be a sign that something’s not right.​
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Slurred speech or difficulty communicating: If your friend is having trouble speaking or their words are slurring, it might be because their drink was spiked.
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Loss of coordination: If they suddenly become unsteady on their feet, are stumbling, or can’t seem to move normally, it’s important to get them help right away.
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Extreme mood swings: If your friend seems to be experiencing extreme mood changes—feeling unusually emotional or calm—it could be due to drink spiking.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Symptoms can vary depending on the substance used, so if something feels off, don’t hesitate to get help. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT YOU HAVE BEEN SPIKED
If you start to feel strange and suspect your drink may have been spiked, here’s what you can do:
Tell someone you trust
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Let someone nearby know what you’re feeling. It could be a friend or even a trusted staff member at the venue. You don’t have to go through it alone.
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Stay close to people you trust. If you’re unsure of your situation, it’s always safer to stay with others.
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Get to a safe place
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Don’t be alone: If you feel confused or out of control, don’t wander off on your own. Make sure someone you trust stays with you and you have made others aware of the situation until you feel better or get help.
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Move somewhere safe: If you feel disoriented or unsafe, find a quiet, well-lit place to sit down. Ideally, you should be somewhere private, but not alone, like a bathroom or a safe corner of the venue.
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Seek Medical Help
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Call for help: Don’t hesitate to call emergency services (000 in Australia) if things start to feel really wrong. They’ll take you to the hospital for treatment and testing.
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Tell medical staff: When you get medical help, let them know you think you’ve been spiked. This will help them take the right steps to identify the substance (refer to "your rights" for more information).
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Preserve any evidence: If possible, keep the drink you were drinking or don’t use the bathroom until you’ve had a chance to be tested. The sooner you can provide a urine sample, the easier it will be to detect the substance used.
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Dont Consume More:
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Stop drinking or eating: If you suspect your drink was spiked, stop drinking or eating immediately. Consuming more could interfere with testing or worsen your symptoms.
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WHAT TO DO IF YOUR MATE HAS BEEN SPIKED (or you suspect they have been)
If you notice that a friend is showing signs of being spiked, it's important to act fast and stay calm. Here's how you can help:
​Stay with your friend
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Don’t leave them alone: If you think your friend has been spiked, stay with them at all times. If they’re feeling unwell or confused, don’t leave them unattended, even if they insist they’re fine.
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Alert the host, venue staff or security
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Let the host or venue know: Inform the host, staff or security at the venue immediately. They may have protocols in place to deal with situations like this, and they’ll be able to help you get the support you need.
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Get medical help
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Call Emergency Services (000): If your friend is showing serious symptoms—refer to "drink spiking drugs and their symptoms" —call for an ambulance immediately. Let the operator know you suspect drink spiking.
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Take them to the hospital: If your friend is still conscious, take them to the hospital for a check-up. Make sure they’re well supported, and don’t let them go alone.
Keep your friend calm
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Provide reassurance: Your friend might be scared, disoriented, or feeling helpless. Stay with them, reassure them, and keep them calm until help arrives.
Preserve evidence
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Save the drink: If your friend’s drink is still around, try to keep it safe, as it might contain evidence of spiking. Don’t allow anyone to drink from it again or throw it out until authorities can check it.
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Document symptoms: Write down or take note of your friend’s symptoms to provide medical staff or police with as much information as possible.
Report the incident
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Help you friend report it: Once your friend is safe and stable, help them report the incident to the police. If they’re not able to make the report themselves, you can do it on their behalf. Police will guide you through the process of getting tested, gathering evidence, and seeking further support.
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