DRINK SPIKING DRUGS AND THEIR SYMPTOMS

What Is It?
GHB is a central nervous system depressant that’s often used as a recreational drug, but unfortunately, it can also be used to spike drinks.

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Rare Symptoms:

• Seizures: In high doses, GHB can cause seizures that may lead to unconsciousness.

• Respiratory Arrest: Very high doses of GHB can slow or even stop your breathing, which is life-threatening.

• Hyperactivity: Some people might feel unusually excited or restless before the sedative effects kick in.

• Slow Heart Rate: GHB can sometimes cause a dangerously slow heart rate, which can make you feel faint.

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After-effects:

• Memory Loss: GHB can cause blackouts, making it hard to remember what happened while you were under its influence.

• Fatigue: You might feel extremely tired and sluggish for hours or even the next day.

• Confusion: GHB can leave you feeling foggy or disoriented, sometimes lasting a day or more.

• Mood Changes: Some people may experience depression or anxiety after the effects wear off.

What Is It?

Rohypnol, often called “roofies,” is a powerful sedative that belongs to the benzodiazepine family. It’s frequently used in drink spiking due to its strong sedative effects.

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Rare Symptoms:

• Tingling or Numbness: Some people experience tingling or numbness in their fingertips or extremities.

• Low Blood Pressure: Rohypnol can make you feel faint, dizzy, or light-headed due to lowered blood pressure.

• Coordination Loss: Difficulty walking or moving, causing you to feel unsteady.

• Hallucinations: In some cases, people report seeing things that aren’t there, like distorted shapes or colours.

• Paradoxical Effects: Rather than feeling sleepy, some people become agitated, aggressive, or irrational.

 

After-effects:

• Memory Loss: One of the main effects of Rohypnol is amnesia—often you won’t remember anything that happened while under the drug’s influence.

• Cognitive Sluggishness: Afterward, you might feel mentally foggy or find it hard to concentrate.

• Physical Weakness: The drug can leave you feeling physically weak, making it hard to perform even simple tasks.

• Drowsiness: You may still feel very sleepy or sluggish hours after the drug wears off.

What Is It?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic used medically in both humans and animals. It’s often abused recreationally for its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects, and it’s sometimes used to spike drinks.

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Rare Symptoms:

• Confusion: Coming out of a dissociative state (known as the "K-hole"), you might feel disoriented, agitated, or confused about what happened.

• Muscle Jerks: Some people experience involuntary muscle spasms or twitches.

• Rapid Eye Movements: Uncontrollable eye movements can make it difficult to focus or feel balanced.

• Hallucinations: Ketamine can cause intense or unsettling hallucinations that feel very real.

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After-effects:

• Memory Problems: You might have trouble remembering things that happened during the time you were under the influence.

• Dissociation: It may feel like you're disconnected from your body or surroundings for hours after use.

• Mental Fog: You may have trouble thinking clearly or focusing even after the drug wears off.

• Urinary Issues: If used repeatedly, ketamine can cause issues like painful urination, though this isn’t common after a single use.

What Is It?

MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy or "molly," is a stimulant that also has hallucinogenic properties. While it's often used recreationally at parties or clubs, it can be used for spiking drinks too.​

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Rare Symptoms:

• High Body Temperature: MDMA can dangerously raise your body temperature, leading to dehydration, sweating, and even heat stroke.

• Serotonin Syndrome: This is a serious condition that can happen when there’s too much serotonin in your body, causing agitation, rapid heart rate, and muscle rigidity.

• Teeth Grinding: Also known as bruxism, it can cause jaw pain and discomfort.

• Visual Disturbances: Some people see halos or blurry vision, especially if they’ve taken a high dose.

 

After-effects:

• Depression: After the high wears off, you might feel emotionally drained, sad, or irritable for a day or more.

• Anxiety: Some users experience heightened anxiety or paranoia after the effects subside.

• Fatigue: You might feel extremely tired or exhausted after the drug wears off.

• Cognitive Dulling: Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly can last for several hours.

What Is It?

Cannabis is a psychoactive drug that’s commonly used recreationally. Although not typically associated with drink spiking, it can be used to spike drinks in some cases.

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Rare Symptoms:

• Paranoia: Some people may feel intense fear or anxiety, especially if they’re unaccustomed to cannabis.

• Hallucinations: In high doses, cannabis can cause vivid hallucinations, though this is rare.

• Nausea: A rare effect known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome causes severe nausea and vomiting.

• Panic Attacks: Some people experience fast heart rate, shortness of breath, or a feeling of impending doom.

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After-effects:

• Memory Loss: Cannabis can make it hard to remember things, especially during the high.

• Drowsiness: You may feel very sleepy or lethargic the next day.

• Dry Mouth & Red Eyes: These are common but temporary side effects that typically last a few hours.

• Mood Changes: You might feel more irritable or down after the high wears off.

What Is It?

Benzodiazepines (such as Valium, Xanax, and Ativan) are prescription medications used to treat anxiety and insomnia. These are sometimes misused to spike drinks due to their sedative properties.

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Rare Symptoms:

• Respiratory Depression: Large doses can slow your breathing, which could be life-threatening.

• Agitation: Instead of feeling relaxed, some people can become agitated, aggressive, or confused.

• Memory Loss: Benzos can cause both short-term memory loss and trouble forming new memories.

• Coordination Loss: They can cause lack of coordination, making it difficult to move or walk properly.

 

After-effects:

• Mental Fog: You might feel mentally sluggish, confused, or forgetful for hours after use.

• Drowsiness: You might continue to feel sleepy or physically weak for an extended period.

• Hangover: A similar feeling to alcohol, with dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue.

• Physical Weakness: You may feel physically drained or unable to perform normal tasks.

What Is It?

While alcohol itself isn’t usually considered a "drug," drink spiking with excessive alcohol is still a form of spiking and can be just as dangerous.​

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Rare Symptoms:

• Respiratory Depression: Drinking too much can cause breathing to slow down or stop, which can be fatal.

• Hypothermia: Alcohol poisoning can lower body temperature, leading to dangerous conditions.

• Hallucinations: In severe alcohol intoxication, some people experience vivid hallucinations or delirium.

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After-effects:

• Hangover: Nausea, headache, dizziness, and fatigue the next day.

• Memory Blackouts: You might not remember what happened while you were drunk.

• Cognitive Impairment: Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions the next day.

• Mood Swings: Feelings of anxiety, depression, or irritability after drinking heavily.

What Is It?

Methanol is a toxic alcohol often found in counterfeit or improperly distilled alcoholic beverages. It is not intended for human consumption and can be extremely dangerous if ingested, even in small amounts.​​

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Rare Symptoms:

• Visual Disturbances: Methanol toxicity can lead to partial or complete blindness due to optic nerve damage.

• Seizures: Severe poisoning can cause abnormal electrical activity in the brain, leading to convulsions.

• Metabolic Acidosis: A dangerous buildup of acid in the blood, leading to rapid breathing, confusion, or shock.

 

After-effects:

• Permanent Vision Loss: Damage to the optic nerve can result in long-term or irreversible blindness.

• Neurological Impairment: Prolonged exposure can cause memory problems, difficulty concentrating, or other cognitive issues.

• Organ Damage: Methanol poisoning can lead to long-lasting damage to organs like the kidneys or liver.

• Chronic Fatigue: Survivors may experience prolonged weakness and exhaustion.