Spiking awareness: know the signs and know your options

Spiking happens when drugs or alcohol are given to someone without their knowledge or consent. It can leave you feeling disoriented, vulnerable, and unsure of what to do next. At Cansford Labs, we want to help you understand what spiking is, how common it can be, and the steps you can take if it happens to you.

How common is spiking?

Spiking can affect anyone, between May 2022 and April 2023, UK police recorded 6,732 reports, with 957 involving needle spiking (GOV.UK). While women are often more frequently reported as victims, all genders are affected. A 2022 YouGov poll indicated that 10% of women and 5% of men reported having been spiked at some point in their life.

Alarmingly, 90% of drink spiking incidents go unreported, because people feel embarrassed, unsure, or fear nothing will be done (Drinkaware). This underreporting suggests that the actual number of affected individuals is likely higher.

Reporting an incident can be daunting, but it matters. Not only can it help you access support and answers, it also helps protect others and makes venues safer for everyone.

How spiking happens

• Drink spiking – substances added to alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks.

• Needle spiking – drugs injected with a hypodermic needle, usually in crowded spaces.

• Other methods – including food, vapes, or cigarettes.

The substances used are often colourless, tasteless, and odourless, which makes them hard to detect in the moment.

How to stay safe

While the responsibility always lies with the person committing the crime, there are steps you can take to reduce risk:

• Keep an eye on your drink – watch it being made or poured, and never leave it unattended.

• Look out for friends – go out together, check in, and don’t leave anyone alone if they feel unwell.

• Trust your instincts – if something doesn’t feel right, move to a safer space or speak up.

What to do if you think you’ve been spiked

• Find safety – stay with friends, venue staff, or trusted people nearby.
• Seek medical help – call 999 or go to A&E if you feel unwell, disorientated, or unsafe.
• Preserve evidence – keep any drink, food, or item you suspect was tampered with and ask staff to secure CCTV footage if available.
• Get tested quickly – urine or blood tests within 24 hours are most effective for detecting substances.
• Report it – to the police and the venue. Reporting helps build awareness, supports investigations, and protects others.
• Know it’s not your fault – spiking is a criminal act, and you are not to blame.

Call 999 if you’re in immediate danger or need urgent medical attention. If you can’t speak, call 999 and press 55 to alert the operator.

NHS 111 offers 24/7 medical advice if you’re feeling unwell or unsure what to do next.

Helplines and support services

Victim Support: Free, confidential support after crime, including emotional and practical help.

Spike Aware UK: A Scottish-based charity supporting victims of spiking.

It Happens Here: Offers resources and support for those affected.

FRANK: A national drug advice service offering confidential support and information.

Rape Crisis England & Wales: A feminist charity helping victims of sexual abuse.

How hair strand testing can help

If more time has passed since the suspected incident, hair strand testing offers a non-invasive way to detect drugs or alcohol use. At Cansford Labs:

• We only need a small hair sample, making it a discreet and gentle process.

• We remove standard cut-off levels in spiking cases to detect even the smallest traces, unlike routine drug testing.

• Timing matters – waiting a few weeks allows hair to grow enough to carry evidence.

• Fast turnaround times mean you don’t have to wait long for the answers you need.

Hair strand testing can provide clarity even if the spiking happened days or weeks ago, and may help support reporting or peace of mind. However, there are a lot of different drugs that could be used to spike someone, and sadly a lot of these are not standard. We have an eighteen-panel spiking test to try to include a broad range of possible spiking substances, but there are still some that may elude the test. Therefore, receiving a ‘not detected’ result does not mean that an incident did not take place.

Our promise to you

Spiking can leave you feeling powerless, but knowledge is empowering. If you think you’ve been spiked, getting advice and testing—even days or weeks later—can give you answers and help you take action. At Cansford Labs, we guide you through this process with care, providing fast, non-invasive hair strand testing and support every step of the way. You don’t have to face this alone.

By raising awareness, encouraging reporting, offering preventative tips, and providing fast, accurate testing, we aim to help make socialising safer for everyone.