How spiking can make you feel

On this page:

1. Your body

2. Your emotions

3. Denial

4. If you have an existing mental health problem

Everyone reacts and copes in their own way to someone spiking them. There is no right or wrong way to feel. Some victims need emergency medical assistance, others don't. Whatever your situation, we are here for you.

If you're ready to, you can report spiking to us online.

But if you don't want to talk to us, or if you want extra support, there are lots of people who can help.

You're in control, and it's up to you who you talk to and what help you get.

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If you need emergency medical assistance

It can be difficult to know if someone has spiked you. But if you feel strange or like you've had more alcohol to drink than you actually have, then get help straight away.

If you feel unwell, you should seek medical attention. Tell them that you believe someone has spiked you. Call an ambulance if the symptoms get worse.

Find NHS urgent and emergency services:

If you're in England

If you're in Wales

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Getting tested by the police

A forensic test can establish whether someone may have spiked you. Only the police can conduct a forensic test; the result of this can be used in evidence if we identify who spiked you. But you can report spiking without providing a sample for forensic testing. It's up to you. 

Read more about forensic tests

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Your body

Physical symptoms of spiking could include:

• confusion
• nausea or vomiting
• hallucinations and paranoia
• disorientation or poor coordination
• loss of ability to communicate properly
• memory loss
• feeling sick or throwing up
• lowered inhibitions
• loss of balance
• unconsciousness
• problems with vision

These symptoms usually start within 15 minutes of someone spiking you, depending on what someone has spiked you with. They can last for several hours. 

It can be difficult to spot the symptoms as they vary depending on what someone spiked you with. They can be similar to having excess alcohol. Or it may be that you feel more drunk than you should if someone has given you more alcohol than you consented to. 

At the same time, the effects of alcohol can be very similar to those of some drugs used in spiking. That includes experiencing some of the effects described above that you would not expect from a few drinks.

You may notice a greater effect from alcohol, for example, if you’re tired or sick. It’s also influenced by stress, the use of medication, and how much you had to eat and drink.

As a result, you may suddenly feel like you’ve been drugged even after a few drinks. Your body’s fear response may in turn cause memory loss, dizziness, trembling, abdominal pain and a reduced sense of control. 

If you report spiking to the police, we’ll always believe and support you. We’ll invite you to provide a sample that we may use for forensic testing. But if you don’t want to provide a sample, that’s fine.

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Your emotions

As well physical effects, such as feeling sick or dizzy, you might experience a range of emotions after someone spikes you. These are normal responses to a stressful life experience.

Being spiked by someone affects different people in different ways. Common emotions include:

• shock
• denial
• anger
• guilt
• frustration
• confusion
• anxiety about going out and socialising
• lack of confidence
• sadness
• depression
• isolation
• emptiness
• feeling mentally weak and fatigued

You might feel disbelief and think, 'Why me?'. You may find it hard to talk about someone spiking you with your family and friends. Or you may find that you need to talk about it a lot to help the news sink in.

When someone spikes you, it can affect your relationship with colleagues, friends and relatives. For example, because they don’t believe you. Perhaps you blame them for not preventing what happened to you. You may even feel betrayed and angry if the person who spiked you was someone you know and trusted.

You may also have difficulties remembering what happened. You may feel uncertain whether someone really did spike you. That’s normal.

As we said, everyone reacts and copes in their own way to someone spiking them. There is no right or wrong way to feel.

Spiking can happen to anyone anywhere – no matter their age, gender, sexuality or ethnicity. It can be carried out by strangers or by people you know. You are not to blame.

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Denial

You might cope with the news of someone spiking you by pretending it didn’t happen. This may not be a conscious decision, but a gut reaction. You might not want to know about someone spiking you or reporting it. This is another completely natural reaction.

Everyone reacts and copes in their own way. There is no right or wrong way to feel.

Sometimes you may find denial happens the other way round. You might need to talk about someone spiking you, but your family and friends may be the ones in denial. They might:

• try to dismiss the fact that someone spiked you
• seem to ignore the fact that someone spiked you
• play down your anxieties and symptoms
• deliberately change the subject

People can react in this way because they are frightened of someone spiking them themselves. They may be embarrassed by talking about it. Or they may be terrified that someone spiked someone they love. If they don’t talk about it, they can try to pretend it didn’t happen.  

But if you want to share how you feel with them and have their support, this behaviour may hurt or upset you. If you feel like this, try to tell them how you feel. Explain that talking to them about someone spiking you will help you.

If relevant, share that you’re as confused and unsure about what happened to you as they are.

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If you have an existing mental health problem

You might experience these feelings even more intensely if you have an existing mental health problem. It could make the symptoms of your existing mental health problem feel worse.

You should let the police know about any mental problems you are experiencing. They can discuss your support options with you.

If you need emergency medical support, let the medical staff know about your mental health problem.

Getting support can help you cope and maintain your quality of life.

The mental health charity Mind has more information about mental health problems. This includes treatment and self-care information.

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