Being drugged is a serious experience that can happen to anyone. These incidents often involve substances slipped into drinks, which can be colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making them difficult to detect. Understanding the potential signs and knowing how to react can help mitigate harm and ensure safety.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms
If you suspect you have been drugged, several physical, cognitive, and emotional changes might occur. A sudden onset of weakness, fatigue, or slurred speech, especially within 15 to 30 minutes of consuming a drink, can be a warning sign. You might also experience a rapid and intense feeling of intoxication that does not align with the amount of alcohol consumed, or even feel intoxicated without having consumed any alcohol at all.
Cognitive symptoms often include disorientation, unusual confusion, or significant memory gaps for recent events. You might find yourself unable to recall how you arrived at a location, or remember only fragments of what happened after having a drink. This memory impairment, sometimes referred to as amnesia or blackouts, can last for one to two hours, or even longer depending on the substance and dose.
Other physical manifestations can include dizziness, loss of motor coordination, and visual impairment. Some individuals may also experience nausea, vomiting, or a sudden loss of consciousness. Symptoms can vary based on the substance and individual, but a sudden, severe feeling of being unusually “out of it” or not yourself is a common sign.
Immediate Actions to Take
If you suspect you or someone else has been drugged, the first step is to get to a safe place immediately. This could involve moving to an area with trusted friends, event staff, or security personnel. Do not leave the location alone, and definitely avoid going home with a stranger.
It is important to tell a trusted friend or staff member what you suspect has happened, even if you can only communicate that you feel unwell. Avoid trying to “sleep it off,” as some substances can have dangerous interactions with alcohol or lead to respiratory depression. Self-medicating or trying to induce vomiting is also not recommended, as it can worsen the situation or interfere with potential evidence collection.
If a friend appears to be severely intoxicated more quickly than expected, or exhibits unusual behavior, intervene and ensure their safety. If you witnessed a drink being tampered with, or if you suspect it, remove the suspected beverage and alert the event organizers or staff. Your immediate actions can significantly impact safety and outcomes.
Seeking Help and Next Steps
Seeking immediate medical attention is important for anyone who suspects they have been drugged. Going to an emergency room or urgent care facility allows medical professionals to assess your condition, treat any potential injuries, and perform a toxicology screening. Timely medical evaluation is important, as many incapacitating substances are metabolized quickly, often within 12 to 72 hours, though some can be detected longer in urine or hair samples.
Medical facilities can conduct blood or urine tests for drugs or their metabolites. If a sexual assault is suspected, a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) or “rape kit” can also be performed, which collects forensic evidence. It is advised to avoid showering, bathing, changing clothes, or cleaning the area where the incident occurred before seeking medical care to preserve potential evidence.
Reporting the incident to law enforcement is a personal decision, but it is advised to do so quickly if you choose this path, given the rapid metabolism of these drugs. Law enforcement can initiate a criminal investigation and ensure proper evidence collection for legal admissibility. Beyond medical and legal avenues, resources for emotional support and counseling are available, such as the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, offering confidential assistance for survivors.