Drink spiking is the illegal act of adding a substance to a drink with the intention of causing harm. Symptoms vary depending on the substance, and signs include disorientation, dizziness, hallucinations, vomiting, and memory loss. Precautions include never leaving a drink unattended and being vigilant. Seek help immediately if experiencing unusual symptoms.
Drink spiking is the illegal act of placing a substance into a drink with the intention of causing harm to the drinker. In recent years, the media has shown that this activity is on the rise. Whether this can be attributed to sensational news or facts is something everyone should be wary of.
The reasons behind drinking alcohol can include theft, rape, assault or just plain fun. It is illegal and if a person is found guilty, he will face a heavy fine. The act is illegal even if no assault or harm comes to the person whose drink has been drugged.
Peak symptoms depend on the substance added to the drink and the amount of alcohol ingested by the drinker. Other factors that can affect how a person responds include the victim’s age and their body shape and size.
Signs that one’s drink has been laced often include disorientation and dizziness. Hallucinations may occur, along with vomiting and nausea. The victim may also suffer from lethargy and slurred speech. Memory loss is also a sign, especially regarding the events of the night in question. Alcohol consumption is known to induce coma or even death at times.
Any drug can be used to spike a drink, but the most common is flunitrazepam, also known as rohypnol. This drug has been reported frequently in the press as a date-rape drug. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and ketamine are also often used to augment beverages due to their anesthetic qualities when mixed with alcohol. These drugs have no taste, color or smell, and symptoms usually appear within 30 to 12 minutes and are known to last for around 12 hours. It’s nearly impossible to tell if they’ve been put into a drink.
There are some precautionary guidelines that can help prevent the consumption of alcoholic beverages. People should never leave a drink unattended, always have it in hand. No one should accept a drink from someone they don’t know, and individuals should be vigilant when friends leave drinks unattended.
Anyone experiencing unusual symptoms after consuming only a small amount of alcohol should seek help immediately. He or she should make sure you are staying with friends and go somewhere safe right away. The drugs can leave the body within 12 to 72 hours, so it is important for the person to be tested as soon as possible.
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