If this is happening right now
Stop drinking it, tell someone you trust or venue staff, stay with people, and if you feel unwell get to a hospital or call 000. You are not overreacting.
Drink spiking is when someone deliberately puts alcohol or another drug into your drink without you knowing. It's frightening, it's under-reported, and it can be hard to tell apart from simply having had too much to drink. This guide covers what to look for and exactly what to do — during the night and the morning after.
What are the signs your drink has been spiked?
The tricky part: many signs overlap with being drunk. What tends to stand out is the speed and the mismatch — feeling far more affected than the amount you've had would explain.
- Feeling drunk or dizzy after only one or two drinks
- Sudden drowsiness or trouble staying awake
- Confusion, trouble concentrating or slurred speech
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Blurred vision
- Memory gaps — losing time, or not remembering how you got somewhere
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation notes that a spiking substance "could be colourless, odourless and tasteless", so you often can't tell by taste or smell.
How quickly any of this comes on varies a lot — with the substance, the dose, how much you've eaten and whether you've been drinking. We're not going to put a number on it. What matters is the change itself: if you notice a rapid, unexpected shift in how you feel, treat it seriously straight away rather than waiting to "see if it passes".
What to do if you think your drink has been spiked
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1
Stop drinking it
Put the glass down and don't finish it.
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2
Tell someone now
A trusted friend, or venue staff or security if you're on your own. Most venues train staff for exactly this.
"I think my drink has been spiked and I don't feel safe." -
3
Stay with people and stay put
Don't leave alone, don't go somewhere isolated, and don't go home with someone you don't know and trust. Ask a friend to stay with you.
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4
Get to safety
Somewhere with people you trust, or a staffed area of the venue.
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5
If you feel unwell, get medical help
Dizzy, faint, vomiting, drifting in and out — go to a hospital emergency department or call 000. Emergency staff can look after you and run tests to identify what's in your system. You won't get in trouble for having been drinking.
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6
If you can, keep the drink
If it's safe and practical, a sample can help later testing or a police report — but your safety comes first, so don't go back into a risky situation for it.
The morning after
If you wake up and think something happened last night, these are the numbers worth having.
1800RESPECT
24/7 sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling. Medical care, forensic options and support, at your pace.
ADF DrugInfo
Can point you to services. Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 if you're struggling afterwards.
Worth knowing
- See a doctor or go to a hospital as soon as you can. Some drugs leave the system quickly — urine or blood tests can pick up traces of certain substances for up to around 24 hours, sometimes less, so sooner is better.
- A hospital can arrange a forensic medical examination. This is time-sensitive, but there's no pressure to decide everything at once.
None of this is your fault. Spiking is a deliberate act by another person.
How common is drink spiking in Australia?
Nobody knows exactly, and that's part of the problem. Drink spiking is widely under-reported — many people never go to police, often because they aren't sure what happened, they don't think they'll be believed, or they've been made to feel it was somehow their own fault.
What the Alcohol and Drug Foundation and state health services consistently describe is a pattern rather than a headline number: it happens in pubs, clubs, festivals, parties and private homes; it disproportionately affects young women, though anyone can be a target; and alcohol is the substance most often used — an extra shot slipped into a glass, or a drink made far stronger than the one you asked for — not the exotic drugs most people picture.
The practical takeaway doesn't change with the numbers. If something feels off, act on it.
Where testing your drink fits in
Testing a drink is one layer of a wider plan, not a substitute for the steps above. Colour-change test strips and wristbands like Verri screen a drink for GHB, ketamine and Rohypnol in 3 minutes.
Being straight about the limits
- They don't cover every substance — they won't pick up extra alcohol, MDMA or other sedatives.
- A clear result doesn't guarantee a drink is safe.
- They work best alongside watching your drink, staying with people you trust, and trusting your instincts.
If something feels wrong, act on it regardless of any test result.
The bottom line
If you think your drink has been spiked, you're not being dramatic. Stop drinking it, tell someone, stay with people, and get medical help if you feel unwell.
The morning after, see a doctor promptly and reach out to 1800RESPECT if you need them. And know that none of it is your fault.
Sources
- Alcohol and Drug Foundation — What is drink spiking? adf.org.au
- Better Health Channel (Victoria) — Drink spiking betterhealth.vic.gov.au
- 1800RESPECT — National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service 1800respect.org.au — 1800 737 732
Verri kits are for screening purposes only and are not TGA-approved medical devices. A negative result does not guarantee a drink is safe. Always use caution and never leave your drink unattended.