What to do if a friend is spiked

What to do if your friend is spiked or injected.

No one ever thinks it’s going to happen, but there have been increases in incidents – people consuming beverages that, without their knowledge, are drugged or have alcohol added to them. Or possibly injected with a foreign agent. This tactic is used for various reasons, including seemingly innocent pranks and more serious attempts at rape or robbery.

If a friend believes that they, or another friend, have been spiked, the following are steps that can be taken to prevent further harm:

Recognise the symptoms.
Get to a safe place.
Get help.
First Aid.
Have trusted company.

Recognising the signs and symptoms that someone may have been drugged.

When in a situation where spiking is suspected, it is important to know what signs and symptoms to watch for. This lists the following potential signs and symptoms:

Feeling dizzy, faint, or sleepy
Difficulty walking
Visual problems
Paranoia
Nausea or vomiting
Being more drunk or intoxicated than expected based on alcohol consumed
Passing out or experiencing blackouts

All of these may be signs or symptoms that an individual has been spiked. If it is suspected, the following steps can help keep the individual safe from further harm.

Get to a safe place.

Firstly make sure you and the individual are safe. If the individual is still in the situation where they were spiked, it is important to get that individual away from the situation and the people there. This can be vital to making sure you or the individual are not at further risk from the person who spiked them. This could prevent a rape or robbery. Do not shout and scream or blame anyone, this is likely to make the situation worse. If you suspect a person then make a mental note of their description.

If it is later or the next day, make sure they are in a place where potential problems related to the drug that was used will not have other dangerous consequences. For example, make sure the person does not try to drive a car or do something else that can pose a risk if there are lingering effects from the drug.

Get help.

When the individual is safe, it is important to seek out others who can provide active support, such as trusted friends, parents, or the management of the establishment in which the problem occurred. Nearby police officers, security, or even emergency services.

First Aid for people that may have been drugged

This is treated as poisoning

Calm and reassure the individual
Keep them warm and comfortable in a safe stable location
DO NOT INDUCE Vomiting
Monitor the individuals. Ensure they are breathing steadily and are responsive to you.
Check for further injuries.
Evacuate them to A&E or call 111.
If the individual continues to deteriorate, loses consciousness, continues to breathing irregularly, or even stops breathing call 999.

In the event they stop breathing follow the correct procedures as your first aid training or the instructions from the emergency services operator.

In the event of fitting remove objects away from them, do not restrain them, protect their head if possible.

Have trusted company at all times.

While the person is detoxing from the substance it can be important for someone who is trusted to be with that individual at all times, not only to observe any potential changes in condition, but also to provide comfort and support in dealing with the aftermath of the event. Both the drug and the realisation of what happened can have a profound emotional or mental effect on the individual who has been the victim of a spiked drink.

People who can advocate and support the individual can be vital in getting professional help and initiating an investigation of the attack, if possible.

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First Aid Training in Suffolk: Why DAC Education is Leading the Way

by David Coyle • 25 June 2025

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