Drink and Needle Spiking

Information for patients

Drink spiking is when someone puts drugs or alcohol into a person’s drink without their knowledge or consent. The substance most commonly used for drink spiking is alcohol.

Needle spiking is where someone injects a person with a substance using a hypodermic needle. Whilst drink spiking has existed for many years, needle spiking appears to be a relatively new phenomenon, which started to attract press coverage in 2021.

What happens when attending the Emergency Department following a suspected spiking incident

Many patients who attend the Emergency Department (ED) who believe they have been a victim of a spiking incident will not require any treatment.

It is not routine to test for substances in ED, because:

• Treatment for suspected spiking is based on physical signs and symptoms, rather than identifying and neutralising a specific substance.
• The number of substances that could potentially be used in drink or needle spiking is very large, and commercially available kits for rapid drug testing can only test for a small number of them with variable accuracy.

In addition, tests for substances performed in the Emergency Department may not be deemed admissible as evidence in court. It is usually not possible for staff in ED to confirm whether you have or have not been a victim of spiking.

What are the risks of blood borne viruses following suspected needle spiking?

It is believed that the risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C from a suspected needle spiking incident is very low. Drugs to help prevent HIV infection, called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are generally not advised.

In ED you may have blood samples taken for storage – these can be tested for blood borne viruses at a later date if necessary. You may be offered a hepatitis B vaccination, and advised to speak to your GP about receiving further vaccinations.

As it may take a number of weeks for viruses to be detectable in the blood after exposure, you may be advised to speak to your GP or attend a sexual health clinic to be tested for blood borne viruses at a future date.

Should I report spiking to the police?

We would encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of drink or needle spiking or a related offence to report it to the police as soon as possible by calling 101.  If you are in danger, call 999.

The police may decide to test for substances. Testing is generally done using a urine sample, which would be collected by the police. Some substances cannot be detected after 12 hours from exposure, so we advise that you contact the police as soon as possible.

What if I think I have been sexually assaulted?

If you believe you have been the victim of a sexual assault, we would encourage you to contact the police as soon as possible by calling 101. If you are in danger, call 999. We understand that some people may not want to or feel able to contact the police.

You may be advised to contact a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). This is a specialist medical and forensic service. The staff are able to help you make choices about what to do next. Regardless of whether you wish to involve the police at this stage, SARC can gather forensic evidence with your consent. If you later wish to involve the police, this evidence could be used in their investigation.

You may be offered emergency contraception. Emergency contraception must be given within 72 to 96 hours, and is most effective if given earlier, so if you do not wish to attend SARC you can discuss emergency contraception with the doctor in ED.

You may also be offered testing for sexually transmitted infections. If you do not wish to attend SARC, you should consider attending a Sexual Health Clinic.

Self-care after a suspected spiking incident:

• Stay with a responsible adult for at least 24 hours.
• Stay hydrated with water.
• Take paracetamol for headache.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks.
• Avoid drugs that are not prescribed by a doctor.
• Return to the ED if you feel more unwell, or those with you notice that you are drowsy, or you are behaving abnormally.

Contact numbers

If you need further advice, or have any problems, please contact the appropriate number below:

If you are in danger or need immediate medical attention, please call 999.

For patients in a mental health crisis or who are suicidal, please call 999 immediately if in an emergency.

For urgent medical or mental health advice, please call 111.

Teesside Sexual Assault Referral Centre

Website: www.sarcteesside.co.uk

Tel: 0330 223 0099

Sexual Health – HCRG Teesside

Find Sexual Health Advice & Clinics Near You | HCRG Care Group

Website: www.thesexualhealthhub.co.uk

Victim Care and Advice Service (VCAS)

Free, confidential support for victims of crime in Cleveland, regardless of police reporting.

Website: www.cleveland.pcc.police.uk/working-for-you/supporting-victims-2/victim-care-and-advice-service/

Home Affairs Select Committee Report on Spiking

Published 26 April 2022.

Website: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5802/cmselect/cmhaff/967/report.html

Patient Experience Team (PET)

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you would like to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Team who will help you to do this.

This service is based at the University Hospital of North Tees but also covers the University Hospital of Hartlepool, our community hospitals and community health services.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
Telephone: 01642 624719
Freephone: 0800 092 0084
Email: [email protected]
Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Out of Hours
If you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard (numbers below).