'Spiking' is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person's drink or body without their knowledge and/or consent.

The drugs used are mind-altering substances that affect how you behave.  Anyone can be targeted by these so-called 'date rape drugs' which may be used to spike a drink before a sexual assault. 

Drink spiking is a crime and reporting is encouraged.

Needle spiking is a less common form of spiking, whereby a person is injected with unidentified sedatives. This is usually done in crowded environments such as nightclubs, where a person can be jabbed in the thigh without drawing much attention. They are predominantly used as date rape drugs to target people for sexual assault. 

Please watch the following interviews with SATU and the An Garda Síochána which explains drink spiking, its effects, and how to report this crime.

Sexual Assault Treatment Unit Interview on Drink Spiking (Video)

Symptoms of drink spiking and date rape drugs

Most date rape drugs take effect within 30 minutes, and symptoms usually last for several hours.

But if you pass out, it'll be hard to know the full effect. You may still feel some of the symptoms of a date rape drug after a night's sleep.

Although your symptoms will depend on which substance has been used, they usually include some of the following:

• lowered inhibitions
• difficulty concentrating or speaking
• loss of balance and finding it hard to move
• visual problems, particularly blurred vision
• memory loss (amnesia) or 'blackouts'
• feeling confused or disorientated, particularly after waking up (if you have been asleep)
• paranoia (a feeling of fear or distrust of others)
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing or touching things that are not there) or having an 'out of body' experience
• nausea and vomiting
• unconsciousness

Most common date rape drugs

Alcohol - Alcohol is the most common date rape drug. It can be added to a soft (non-alcoholic) drink without you knowing. Or double measures can be used instead of singles

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) - These are colourless liquid drugs which can be dissolved easily into other liquids.

Tranquillizers - Tranquillizers come in hundreds of different forms. They are usually in tablet form and are sometimes legally prescribed to treat anxiety or insomnia. Tranquillizers work by slowing down your body. They relieve tension and making you feel very relaxed.

Ketamine - Ketamine is a powerful anaesthetic. It's a liquid in its legal form. Illegally, it is normally a grainy white powder or a tablet.

If your drink has been spiked, it's unlikely that you'll see, smell or taste any difference. Some drugs, such as GHB, may taste slightly salty or smell unusual.

If you start to feel strange or more drunk than you should be, get help immediately.

Source - HSE

Further Reading

• Drink spiking and date rape drugs (website)

• Drink spiking reports to Gardaí (web article)