What is drink spiking?
Drink spiking is the term given for situations in which someone has added a substance (liquid, powders or drugs) to your drink, without your knowledge or permission. The illegal act of drink spiking is usually committed in an attempt to make you drunk or high so that your reaction-time and physical abilities are hindered.
What are drinks spiked with?
- Alcohol – usually added to make someone get intoxicated faster
- Date rape drugs – usually used to try and incapacitate someone to take advantage of them without the risk of fighting back
- Illegal narcotic drugs – usually to make someone high or intoxicated
- Prescription drugs such as stimulants, tranquillisers, sedatives, or opiates
How to tell if your drink has been spiked?
It is unfortunate that most drugs used to spike alcoholic drinks are tasteless, colourless and odourless. This can make it almost impossible to tell if someone has spiked your drink when you drink it and you might only recognise that your drink has been spiked once you start to experience its side effects and symptoms.
THEREFORE IT IS IMPORTANT TO MONITOR YOUR DRINK AND AVOID DRINKING IT IF YOU NOTICE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES IN YOUR DRINK:
If you recognise any of the following happening to your drink throw it out immediately and let the bar/restaurant/club staff know that your drink has been tampered with.
If you start to experience any symptoms of being spiked, make sure to get yourself somewhere safe and inform a friend, staff member, health services or police.
To read more about what drink spiking is, its effects on you and some symptoms you may experience, read our blog: How To Spot And Assist A Victim Of Drink Spiking https://sororitystore.co.za/blogs/news/blog-2