Spiking

What is spiking?

Spiking is when someone gives another person drugs or alcohol without their knowledge or consent.

This can be done by:

• putting something into someone's drink
• secretly using a needle to inject someone with something - usually in a crowded place
• offering someone substances disguised as other drugs
• purposely giving someone more of a substance than they intended to have or knew they were taking - for example, giving someone a double shot of alcohol instead of a single shot

Anyone can be a target of spiking.

Spiking is a serious crime regardless of why someone does it.

What to do if you think you've been spiked

If you think you or someone you’re with has been spiked, get help from someone you trust straight away, call 112 or 999 and go to a safe place.

If you're at a venue, let a member of staff or security know.

You can still get support from these services, even if you do not report the spiking incident or assault to the Gardaí.

Signs of spiking

The signs that someone has been spiked depend on various factors.

Some of these factors can be:

• what they were spiked with
• how much of a substance they were spiked with
• if they have already taken drugs or alcohol and how much they have had

But, signs of spiking can be:

• nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting
• dizziness
• feeling faint or sleepy
• being confused or disorientated
• feeling more drunk than how you would normally feel
• unconsciousness (passing out)
• difficulty walking, talking, concentrating or controlling your body
• memory loss or 'blackouts' - when you forget periods of time
• visual problems, particularly blurred vision
• paranoia - a feeling of fear or distrust of others
• hallucinations - seeing, hearing or touching things that are not there
• temporary loss of body sensation - having an 'out of body' experience

Best ways to stay safe

Spiking is never your fault. But there are things you can do to keep yourself and others safe.