Spiking

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What is Spiking?​

Giving someone else drugs or alcohol without their knowledge or permission.

Spiking can happen for different reasons – for example, because someone thinks it's funny or because someone wants to commit a crime against the person they're spiking, such as theft, rape or sexual assault.​​

  • 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.

Types of spiking​​​

  • ​Drink spiking - adding drugs or alcohol to someone else's drink.
  • Needle spiking - injecting drugs into someone else's body.
  • Vape or cigarette spiking - giving someone drugs in a cigarette or e-cigarette.
  • Food spiking - adding drugs to someone's food.
  • Giving someone more alcohol or drugs than they were expecting and consented to is also spiking. For example, giving someone double shots instead of single ones. It's sensible not to accept a drink from a stranger or leave your drink unattended. But sometimes people get spiked by people they know and trust too.

Symptoms of spiking can include:

  • Vomiting or feeling nauseous.
  • Feeling disoriented or confused.
  • Feeling tired.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Loss of coordination or balance.
  • Acting out of character.
  • Hallucinations.

These symptoms can come into effect straight or might take a while, and they can last for several hours.

What do I do if I think I've been spiked?

There's no right way to feel or act if someone has spiked you. What you do is up to you. But here are some things you might want to do or think about first if you can.

  • ​Get to safety.
  • Tell the people you're with, so that they can look after you.
  • Alert a member of staff or security if you're in a bar, club or at a festival.
  • If you feel unwell you should seek emergency medical attention and tell them that that someone has spiked you. Call an ambulance if the symptoms get worse. Nightclubs often have medics or wellbeing staff on site.  For example: Rosie’s in Chester always has two medics on site.
  • Make sure you are somewhere where you feel safe, for example, by asking a friend to take you home or stay with you.
  • Don't go home on your own or leave with someone you don't know.
  • Drink some water, but don't try to flush out any drugs or alcohol by drinking lots of water.
  • If you think you have been drink spiked try to keep any that is left for testing purposes.

How do I help a friend?

  • ​Follow the steps above for them.
  • Stay with them.
  • Keep talking to them until emergency medical assistance arrives or you get them to a place of safety.
  • Report it!

We know it can be scary to report being spiked, but the police are here to help you. They will listen to you and take you seriously

In an emergency telephone the police and/or an ambulance by dialling 999

If it's not an emergency report to the 101 non-emergency police number.

Report online, you can do this anonymously as well.  

The University has support available as well.  If you are on campus call Security on 01244 511 541 or contact studentservices@chester.ac.uk during office hours.