Drink Spiking

What is Drink Spiking?

Drink spiking occurs when a person deliberately adds alcohol or another drug to a drink without the knowledge of the person who will be drinking it.

Most of the time, drinks are spiked with alcohol. Either the drink is stronger than you think, or someone has added extra alcohol. Despite recent media reports, drink spiking with drugs like GHB and Rohypnol® is very rare. Alcohol is a far more common way to spike drinks. Drugs that are used to spike drinks are usually depressants that make you act like you are drunk, or just about to pass out.

Think your drink has been spiked? 

Tell our bar staff right away. They can TEST YOUR DRINK ON THE SPOT with SureScreen Diagnostics’ new drink spiking test kit.

The Roundhouse is committed to the Responsible Service of Alcohol.

Stop your drink from being spiked

When you’re out at a pub, club or party:

  • Watch your drinks
  • Avoid sharing drink
  • If someone you don’t know well offers you a drink, go to the bar with them
  • Many people have their drinks spiked by someone they know; to avoid this, buy or pour your own drinks
  • Keep an eye on your friends and their drinks

How do I know if a drink has been spiked?

If your drink has been spiked you may not be able to see, smell or taste it. The drug or extra alcohol may be colourless and odourless and may not affect the taste of your drink.

Warning signs include:

  • Feeling dizzy or faint
  • Feeling ill or sleepy
  • Feeling drunk even if you think you've only had a little alcohol to drink
  • Passing out
  • Waking up feeling uncomfortable and confused, with memory blanks about the night before

What to do if your drink is spiked

If you think your drink has been spiked, you can:

  • Speak to one of our staff or security. Drink spiking test kits are also available at the bar.
  • Ask someone you trust to help you get to a safe place.
  • If you feel unwell or have been sexually assaulted, go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
  • Ask your doctor to test for the presence of drugs. Urine or blood tests can pick up traces of certain drugs up to 24 hours later.

Drink spiking is serious.

In an emergency, telephone triple zero (000) or the nearest police station. 

For information about sexual assault, or for counselling or referral, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)

(source: https://adf.org.au/insights/drink-spiking/)