What is Spiking
Spiking involves administering alcohol or drugs to someone without their knowledge or consent most often by slipping something into a drink, but also via injection (needle‑spiking) or even tampered food, vapes, or cigarettes.
The substances used can range from alcohol or stimulants to so-called “date‑rape drugs” (such as GHB or ketamine). Even common choices like adding extra alcohol can count as spiking.
It is never your fault if you have been spiked. Blame lies solely with the perpetrator.
Spiking and the Law
Spiking is illegal and carries a sentence of up to ten years in prison. If a robbery, sexual assault or other crime took place, the sentence may be even longer.
Spiking offences are covered by more than one law. Most spiking cases are offences under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. This covers the use of harmful substances. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 covers cases where someone spikes a victim to sexually assault them.
Ref: https://www.met.police.uk/advice
How spiking can make you feel
Everyone will react differently and can experience a range of symptoms.
If you’ve been spiked, you may start to experience symptoms within 5-20 minutes. The effects can last up to 12 hours. Here are some ways spiking could affect you:
- Feeling faint, light-headed or dizzy
- Teeth chattering
- Feeling drowsy, confused or hallucinating (seeing things that aren’t there or not really happening)
- Feeling drunk, or like you’ve had more drugs or alcohol than you know you’ve had
- Feeling very hot
- Feeling sleepy
- Nausea or vomiting (feeling sick or being sick)
- Loss of control of your bladder (wetting yourself)
- Finding it difficult to walk or being unable to move your body
- Loss of balance, fainting, passing out or unconsciousness
- Being unable to speak
- Changes to vision or not being able to see
- Memory loss
- Feeling very unwell the next day, including being sick.
While the physical effects of spiking will wear off as the drugs or alcohol leave your body, the emotional effects can last a long time.
You may feel wary or scared of going out, and may feel a lack of trust around others. You may feel anxious about going out or socialising, or have increased anxiety in general.
Ref: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk
What to do if me or someone I know might have been spiked?
Spiking can happen to anyone anywhere, no matter your age, gender, sexuality or ethnicity. It can be done by strangers or by people you know. You’re not to blame for being spiked.
- Get help immediately - notify venue staff, ask for help from friends or bystanders.
- Call 999 if symptoms worsen (persistent vomiting, unconsciousness, etc.).
- Don’t go home alone or leave someone who you think may have been spiked alone
- Do not consume any more alcohol, ensure someone stays with the person you think may have been spiked and ensure they don’t consume more alcohol.
- Ask a friend to take you straight home or, if you are seriously unwell, to hospital.
- If you are unsure whether you need medical help, it’s better to go to hospital.
- Report to the Police this can be done anonymously and helps strengthen awareness and records-
What support is available if me or someone I know has been spiked?
For students
RVC’s Advice Centre offer emotional and practical support. This could include a referral for counselling or mental health support, signposting to specialist external resources and providing advice and support to co-ordinate any reasonable adjustments if your studies have been affected. For more information on the support we offer and to book an appointment please visit our Learn site or contact us on 020 8051 3500 or email advice@rvc.ac.uk.
For staff
Care First - The College, in partnership with 'Care First', offers a counselling and advisory service to RVC employees as an additional source of workplace support.
Other sources of support
Spike Aware UK is a charity that aims to build a movement to empower victims of drink and needle spiking crime.
Camden Council provide information and guidance about spiking awareness and reporting.
TSA is a youth-powered organisation that believes everyone deserves to have fun without fear
Drink Aware provides information about drinks spiking and the symptoms