Mamamia Investigates: We spoke to 50 people who had their drink spiked. The reality is nothing like you'd expect.

Content warning: This story mentions sexual assault and may be distressing to some readers. All names have been changed for privacy reasons. 

This is part two of Mamamia's series into drink spiking. You can read part one here, which shares first-person experiences of drink spiking. 

A packed nightclub, a stranger, a suspicious powder. 

A young, unassuming target. 

This is the image that 'drink spiking' would evoke in most of our minds. 

But in Australia, drink spiking doesn't follow this narrative.

In fact, the Australian Institute of Criminology, found there is "no 'typical' incident" of drink spiking, which can happen to people of all ages, at all venues around Australia. 

To shine a light on the reality of drink spiking and how the crime is actually committed, Mamamia surveyed 50 people who have had their drink spiked.

Here are six common misconceptions they want you to know.

1. That drink spiking only happens when you're around strangers.

When Mamamia asked people to submit stories about their own experiences of drink spiking, many came with comments asking people to reassess their beliefs about who commits this crime. 

"[People think] if you don't put your drink down it can't be spiked [and that] people you know, or friends of friends would never spike your drink. Both are wrong," said Kate. 

"It can happen anywhere at any time and could be done by anyone," said Riley.

"You can be among loved ones and you still need to be mindful!," said Lauren.

In fact, according to Dr Nicole Lee, a professor at the National Drug Research Institute, "most" instances of drink spiking is "actually friends pranking each other".

"They might add an extra shot of alcohol to see their mates get drunk quicker," she told Mamamia. 

"In a smaller number of cases, drink spiking is intended to harm someone, like for sexual assault or theft."

2. That drink spiking only happens on "huge night outs".

"[People assume] it doesn’t happen anywhere except for nightclubs or festivals," said Kayla.

"[People think] that it only happens at wild festivals and huge nights out. The bar we went to wasn't too crazy," said Olivia.  

Of the 50 people Mamamia surveyed, more than half identified they were at a bar or club when their drink was spiked. However, other locations varied from a bbq to a wedding, and a corporate lounge to a cruise.  

3. That drinks are only spiked with drugs. 

"[People assume] only drugs are used," said Sophie. 

"Alcohol is an issue... I have worked in multiple licensed venues, and a lot of people try to get doubles, or extra alcohol for their friends because 'it will be funny'," said Rosie. 

According to Lee, alcohol is actually the most common drug used in drink spiking. 

This could look like "adding alcohol to a non-alcoholic drink or adding extra alcohol to an already alcoholic drink," she explained. 

Other drugs less commonly used to spike drinks include depressants or sedatives like ketamine, Rohypnol, and gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). 

"These drugs are colourless and don't have a strong taste or odour, so are easily concealed," she said.

"They make you feel relaxed at lower doses but at higher doses, make you feel very sleepy and can sometimes cause unconsciousness, blackouts, and loss of memory. Sometimes people find it hard to move or speak."

4. That the victim is "just drunk".

For the people who submitted their stories to Mamamia, this myth was a particular source of frustration. 

"[People assume] 'she’s just drunk' or 'she’s a lightweight'," said Melissa. 

"[People think] I was drunk when in actual fact, I had only had two drinks. I know because I checked my bank statement the following day," said Clare. 

"I remember sharing my story and people would say 'you sure you just didn’t drink too much?'" said Nicole.

Sarah Williams, the founder of NSW based sexual violence advocacy group What Were You Wearing? said this is a stigma drink spiking victims often face. 

"Because the symptoms of drink spiking are very similar to being too drunk, victims are often seen as just to drunk. A lot of the time they aren’t believed or are accused of just putting it on," Williams told Mamamia. 

5. That drink spiking only happens to certain people.

"[People assume] guys only spike a girl's drinks," said Lily.

"[People think] that it doesn't happen during the day with older people," said Simone. 

"[People assume] it only happens to younger people," Amy. 

"[People think] it won’t happen to you," said Maya. 

When Mamamia spoke to Tara Hunter, Director of Clinical and Client Services at Full Stop Australia, she explained that while it's "often younger women" who call their national domestic violence and sexual assault counselling hotline about drink spiking, it can happen to people of all ages and genders. 

"They may be older women who have gone out on a date and had their drink spiked or out in a pub... or they may not be women."

The Australian Institute of Criminology also found half of drink spiking victims are aged under 24 years old, when they analysed police, sexual assault and AIC hotline data.  

Of the 50 people Mamamia surveyed, over 70 per cent were aged 18-24 when their drink was spiked, 20 per cent were aged 25-27, and eight per cent were aged 28-30. 

6. That it's the victim's fault. 

This is possibly one of the most damaging lies about drink spiking, as it detracts from the culpability of people who are committing crimes. 

"[People assume] that it only happens when you're careless," said Nikki.

"[People assume] that it’s your fault or that you were asking for it," said Peta. 

"[People think] that you leave your drink publicly accessible. I did not, I was completely in control and aware of my drink at all times which leads the thought it was spiked at the bar," said Chloe.

Listen to The Quicky, Mamamia's daily news podcast. Post continues below. 

So, what can you do to stay safe?

Lee said the risk of having your drink spiked is low if you "drink at reputable venues and take a few simple precautions like buying your own drinks, watching them being poured, and keeping an eye on your drink."

As for the signs of drink spiking to look out for, Lee said "if you are feeling more drunk than you think you should be compared to how much you think you’ve had to drink, or if you feel sick or very lightheaded, it’s possible you’ve ingested something extra."

She recommends taking yourself to the emergency department or calling an ambulance if you are feeling "very woozy or unwell".

Other symptoms of drink spiking may include: 

• Mental confusion and memory loss
• Speech difficulties
• Nausea and vomiting
• Breathing problems
• Muscle spasms or seizures
• Loss of consciousness
• An unusually long hangover

However, victims should not solely hold the responsibility of making sure that they're not having their drinks spiked. 

Lee said there are measures staff and venues can follow to play their part. 

For example, "bar staff can keep a watch out for people who ask for double or triple shots in another persons drink." 

"They might [also] refuse to serve doubles to people buying drinks for someone else. They can [also] ensure that empty glasses are cleared away quickly so they can’t be used to mix extras in someone's drink and that water is served in a closed container like a water dispenser or a tap as an open jug can be spiked."

Additionally, many people with first-hand experience who submitted their own drink spiking stories to Mamamia urged others to consider speaking up about the crime when it occurs in order to raise awareness and take a stand against it. 

One woman, Jessie, pointed out the importance of reporting the incident to police when people are in a position to do so. 

"It's a crime... Don't just feel 'lucky' because something worse didn't happen," said Jessie. 

Peta, another woman who spoke to Mamamia said that there is an urgent need to remain vocal about these crimes, particularly for other people who may potentially be targeted. 

"Report it, whether it’s the police or even the venue. Get it out there that it is happening in your local area."

Read more: 

Mamamia Investigates: Drink spiking is still a huge problem. We spoke to 50 people about what happened to them.

If this has raised any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service.

You can also call Full Stop Australia’s National Violence and Abuse Trauma Counselling and Recovery Service on 1800FULLSTOP (1800 385 578).  

Feature Image: Getty/Mamamia.