Drink spiking is when someone adds alcohol or another substance to a person's drink without their knowledge or consent.

You may not be able to see, smell or taste that anything has been added. The first sign may be how you or a friend feels.

Someone may suddenly seem much more intoxicated than expected, confused, unusually tired or just not like themselves. Feeling much more intoxicated than you should based on what you drank.

If something seems off, take it seriously.

If you think your drink may have been spiked, it's not too late to get help.

Seek medical care if you're still feeling sick, confused or otherwise unwell.

Consider reporting what happened as soon as possible. Some substances can leave the body quickly, so timing can matter if you want to be tested. Testing can be done at a hospital emergency room by a medical professional and may involve a blood test or urine sample.[SS1] 

Write down what you remember while it's still fresh. Include where you were, who you were with, what you drank and when you began feeling different. Save anything that might help document what happened, location history, photos,  receipts, messages or rideshare information.

If possible, keep the drink/container and don't empty it.

If the incident happened in Tempe, you can contact Tempe Police at 480-350-8311 to make a non-emergency police report. Call 911 if you're in immediate danger or need emergency help.

If you think you may have been sexually assaulted, contact CARE 7 victim advocates for support and connections to resources such as a forensic medical exam. You can get help from an advocate, with or without police involvement, at the city’s Family Advocacy Center.  Call the CARE & HOPE Line at 480-350-8004.

You may not remember everything that happened. You can still ask for help and report what you do remember.

You may feel different or much more intoxicated than you would expect based on what you've had to drink.

Signs can include:

• Dizziness or difficulty walking
• Confusion or disorientation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unusual sleepiness
• Difficulty speaking or communicating
• Memory loss or blackouts
• Loss of consciousness

You know how you normally feel. If you suddenly feel different than you should, trust that feeling.

If you suddenly feel more intoxicated than expected, confused, dizzy, unusually tired or just not like yourself, don't wait.

Stop drinking the drink and tell someone you trust. Alert bar staff or security right away and stay with your friends. Don't leave alone or with someone you don't know or trust.

If you think your drink may have been spiked, get medical help as soon as possible.

If you or a friend is very confused, having difficulty staying awake, having trouble breathing, having a seizure, loses consciousness or cannot be awakened, call 911 immediately.

If something feels off, trust that feeling. Get help.

A few simple habits can help:

• Keep your drink with you and don't leave it unattended. If you do, get a new one.
• Be cautious about accepting a drink you didn't see prepared. Only accept drinks directly from the bartender or server.
• If you're unsure about a drink, don't drink it.
• Keep your phone charged and share your plans with someone you trust.
• Check in with your friends throughout the night.
• Pay attention if a friend suddenly seems more intoxicated than expected or just not like themselves.
• If you see someone tampering with a drink, alert bar staff or security.
• If you're concerned about a drink, ask bar staff about drink spike detection kits.

Test kits are one tool. Looking out for your drink and your friends matters too.

No. Drink spiking can include adding extra alcohol to an alcoholic drink, adding alcohol to a nonalcoholic drink or adding another substance without someone's knowledge or consent.

That matters because drink spike detection kits are designed to detect certain drugs. They cannot tell you whether someone added extra alcohol to your drink.

A test kit is one tool. If you or a friend suddenly feels much more intoxicated than expected or something just feels off, don't ignore it because a test was negative. Tell someone you trust and alert bar staff or security.