Drink Spiking Symptoms: What to Look Out For and What to Do

Drink spiking is a serious and dangerous crime that can leave victims vulnerable to theft and/or assault. One of the most important steps in protecting yourself and others is understanding how to recognize the signs, because symptoms can set in quickly before you even realize something is wrong.

What Is Drink Spiking?

Drink spiking refers to someone adding drugs or alcohol to a person's drink without their knowledge or consent. The goal is usually to intoxicate, sedate, or disorient the victim. Substances commonly used include:

  • Ketamine

  • Benzodiazepines (ie. Rohypnol, Valium, Xanax, Ativan)

  • GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate)

  • Excessive alcohol

Most of these drugs are colorless, tasteless, and odorless, making them hard to detect in a drink.

How Long Until Symptoms Start?

The effects of spiking substances usually kick in within 15 to 30 minutes of ingestion, but can start even sooner depending on:

  • The type of drug used

  • The amount consumed

  • The person’s size, weight, and tolerance

Symptoms can last for several hours, and some drugs listed above can cause blackouts, memory loss, and drowsiness that continues into the next day.

Common Symptoms of Drink Spiking

If you or someone else begins to feel unusual or unlike yourself shortly after drinking, here are the key symptoms to watch for:

Physical Symptoms:

  • Sudden dizziness or feeling lightheaded

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Blurred or double vision

  • Slurred speech or difficulty talking

  • Trouble moving or loss of motor control

  • Extreme drowsiness or feeling like you're about to pass out

  • Headache or confusion

Mental & Emotional Symptoms:

  • Feeling unusually drunk, even if you've had very little alcohol

  • Disorientation or confusion

  • Memory gaps or blackouts

  • Anxiety, panic, or paranoia

  • Feeling detached from your surroundings (dissociation)

Most people know their body’s response to alcohol, and spiking symptoms tend to be sudden and overwhelming, especially compared to the typical effects of drinking.

Drink spiking is a serious crime. The more we understand the symptoms and timing of how spiking occurs, the better prepared we are to respond and help others.

If you feel "off," uncoordinated, or disoriented after drinking, even a small amount, don’t brush it off. Act quickly, seek help, and trust your instincts. Spiking is hard to detect, but the signs in your body are often loud and clear.

Stay safe, stay aware and look out for each other.

Back to blog