Lower the Chances of Your Drink Getting Spiked on a night out. In this Guide we show you how to keep your drink safe and what to look out for.
Make sure to stay aware of spiked drinks when going out to have a good time and keep yourself safe.
Learn how to identify the signs of consuming a spiked drink and how to protect yourself. Our guide will provide you with tips on staying safe and where to seek assistance if necessary.
What is drink spiking?
It’s time to take control of our safety and have a good time, everyone! We know that drink spiking is a problem that we can combat by being vigilant and responsible party-goers.
There’s no room for theft or sexual assault in our space, and we won’t tolerate it. We have each other’s backs, and if anyone suspects something suspicious, we’ll be quick to ask for help. Know that safety is our top priority, and we’ll do everything possible to ensure that everyone has a great time without any issues.
Did you know that people usually spike drinks using alcohol? They add a bit to a non-alcoholic beverage or even put double shots by mistake. Keep an eye out when you’re out partying!”
Drugs used to spike drinks
- Rohypnol
- Tranquilizers (such as Valium, and Xanax.
- Ketamine.
- Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
These drugs can come in many forms and don’t always have a noticeable taste or smell. A liquid can be easily squirted into your drink. A powder can easily be quickly be dropped directly into drink also. And be alert to pills being used too.
Symptoms and Signs you've been spiked
Did you know that in the event of someone spiking your drink, the National Health Services U.K. has comprehensive information on how to spot the symptoms? Having this knowledge empowers you to protect yourself and your friends. Take a look at the list below so that you can confidently enjoy your night out, knowing that you’re well-prepared for any situation.ationa;
- 1Nausea and vomiting
- 2Memory loss (amnesia) or ‘blackouts’
- 3Visual problems, particularly blurred vision
- 4Unconsciousness.
- 5Paranoia (a feeling of fear or distrust of others)
- 6Difficulty concentrating or speaking
- 7Lowered inhibitions
- 8Hallucinations (seeing, hearing or touching things that aren’t there) or having an ‘out of body experience’
- 9Loss of balance and finding it hard to move
- 10Feeling confused or disorientated, particularly after waking up (if you have been asleep)
“Here are some additional tips to help you keep your drink safe and avoid being spiked while partying:”
Always try to go to the bar with a friend
Going to the bar alone is not safe. To ensure your safety, always bring someone with you – even if it’s just for a single drink. When you’re alone, it’s easy to get distracted and vulnerable, which can lead to risky situations.
You need to keep your wits about you at all times and be vigilant about your drink to avoid the risk of getting spiked.
“Leaving your drink at the bar to pay for your tab can be a real hassle but no need to worry! With confidence, ask your friend to keep an eye on your drink while you quickly take care of the payment. By working together, you can easily avoid any potential awkwardness. With this simple solution, your night out can continue without any interruptions, allowing you to confidently enjoy the rest of your evening hassle-free.”
Don’t leave any drinks behind next time you’re out with your friends. If you can’t carry them all at once, confidently call upon a friend to lend a hand. They’ll be more than happy to help you out, and you’ll be able to enjoy your night without any stress or spills. Show off your organization skills and responsibility by making sure everyone’s drinks make it safely to your table. Trust in yourself and rely on your friends when needed.
Cover your drink with a napkin or Paper Towel
It depends on what you’re drinking as to how easy this is, but if you can, always opt for a bottle rather than a glass. But if you do just order drinks you could just place a paper towel on the top. By placing a napkin or paper towel on top of your drink, you can prevent anyone from tampering with it. Leaving you free to have fun without worrying.
The easiest targets for drink spiking is a punch bowls or big jugs. Steer clear of these. But If you really wanted to be safe, you could also buy some special glassware, like these
Roofie Detecting Glasses, which when spiked show red stripes around the glass. These stripes are Stop Sign Red! Telling you to stop and be cautious.
Don't accept drinks from strangers
Rest assured that you can take control of your safety by exercising caution when accepting drinks from unknown individuals. You have the right to ask your friend to accompany you and verify the legitimacy of the drink before consumption. Prioritizing your safety is a sign of confidence and strength, and it is always better to err on the side of caution. Remember to always trust your gut instinct.
Rest assured that you can take control of your safety by exercising caution when accepting drinks from unknown individuals. You have the right to ask your friend to accompany you and verify the legitimacy of the drink before consumption. Prioritizing your safety is a sign of confidence and strength, and it is always better to err on the side of caution. Remember to always trust your gut instinct.
It is important to buy your own drinks whenever possible and exercise caution when accepting a drink from someone you do not know. It is recommended that you avoid taking a sip from someone’s drink if you are unsure of its contents.
Never leave your drink unattended
During your night of having fun, you will still be occupied with being security for your drink. Timing your Sipping of drinks, visits to the restroom for toilet breaks, and returning to the dance floor will have you busy. You don’t need to leave your drink behind, try to take it with you as much as possible.
If you don’t carry that drink around, your friends will tell you that they will watch it for you. But those friends also will soon be occupied dancing and flirting with people. It’s probably safer to just down the last of your drink before walking around.
But don’t get out of hand with that Vodka and Coke before visiting the Smoking Area outside.
Watch out for changes to your drink
If you do happen to leave your drink unattended for a while, make sure to observe any changes. Has the position of the glass changed? Has it been moved? Maybe the straw is now missing. Or maybe something else has changed, like the color is off. Look at the bottom. Are there any bubbles or fizzing coming up? Sometimes the taste might be a little strange. Even the smell might be different!
If you spot anything about your drink which doesn’t look right, don’t risk it. Take it back to the bar to be poured away and order a new one. Sometimes if you have any suspicion about your drink being spiked, it might be possible to have another one poured by the bartender.
Don't drink from other people's glasses
I’ve seen many women just picking up random drinks from different tables drinking as fast as possible. Some people even walk around and pick up unattended drinks on other peoples tables. Taking a big risk! Please don’t drink random glasses of alcohol. Make sure you’re drinking your own drink. And keep tabs on which drink is yours. It’s easy to make a mistake, so keep a hand on your glass as much as possible.
What to do if you've been spiked
If you ever feel like something’s off about your drink, don’t be shy to let a friend or any of the staff nearby know. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, right?
Tell the bartender that you were spiked
Go to the bartender or manager and inform them of the incident, providing the details of the time when the drink was spiked. Request assistance in retrieving the footage of the person responsible for the crime. It is crucial to report this incident on their premises.
Don’t waste time with this issue. Sometimes then footage will only be looked at when the Police Department is involved.
Notify the Police
Notify the Police and let them know what has happened to you and where you are. Don’t leave with anyone you don’t trust.
If things get worse, ask someone you can trust to take you to an emergency room and tell the medical staff that you think your drink was spiked.
A lot of these drugs drugs leave the body within 72 hours of being ingested. And GHB can leave the body within 12 hours.
So be evaluated as soon as possible.
What are some warning signs of your drink being spiked?
- Dizziness.
- Difficulty in walking.
- Confusion, especially the next day or after waking up.
- Nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick)
- Hallucinations (seeing things which are not there)
- Tiredness.
- Visual problems, for example, blurred vision.
- Paranoia (a feeling of fear or distrust of others)
Can I get a test to see if I've been spiked?
If you think that someone has spiked your drink, just want you to know that we might ask you to give a urine or blood sample for forensic testing. Just a heads up, only the cops can actually run a forensic test. The test results can be used in court if we’re able to find and identify the person who spiked you. But, just so you know, some drugs might leave your body within a few hours.
Can you sue someone for spiking your drink?
Yes. If someone has spiked your drink, you can sue and you might be able to get damages! Call a lawyer. The sooner the better.
What strips are used to tell if a drink is spiked?
Hey, have you heard of the Check Your Drink – Drink Safety Test Strip? It’s this cool little kit that can help you detect drink spiking! It tests for both GHB and ketamine, so you can feel safer knowing what’s in your drink.
How long does being spiked last?
If you end up passing out after being drugged, it may be difficult to predict how long all the symptoms will last. Generally, though, you might experience them for anywhere between 3 to 7 hours.
Even after getting some shut-eye, you could still have some lingering effects, like feeling confused, nauseous, or having trouble remembering things clearly.
Do boys get spiked?
Drink spiking is a serious problem, with 75% of reported victims being female. However, it’s important to note that 25% of victims are male, meaning that both genders are affected. These statistics should prompt us to take action and address this issue collaboratively and comprehensively.
Conclusion
Firstly, a huge congratulations on completing this easy guide! You should be proud of yourself for taking steps to educate yourself on how to ensure your safety when enjoying a night out. By now, you have gained valuable knowledge on how to spot a spiked drink and the potential risks associated with hitting up the bar alone.
It’s important to remember that there is safety in numbers and to exercise caution when interacting with strangers or accepting drinks from people
you are not familiar with. Keeping a close eye on your drink and not letting it leave your sight is always a good idea to prevent any potential mishaps. Remember, the safety of yourself and your peers should always be a top priority. Better to be safe than sorry, right?
