Spiking

Spiking is when someone is given alcohol or drugs without their knowledge or consent.

This can happen in several ways, including:

  • Drink spiking - adding drugs or alcohol to someone’s drink without their knowledge
  • Needle spiking - injecting drugs into someone’s body using a needle or similar device
  • Vape or cigarette spiking - adding drugs to an e-cigarette or cigarette
  • Food spiking - putting drugs into someone’s food

People can be spiked with alcohol, prescription drugs (such as sedatives or sleeping pills), or illegal substances (like GHB, ketamine, or cocaine). Although alcohol is most commonly used, soft drinks - including water, hot drinks, and energy drinks - can also be spiked. Giving someone more alcohol than they agreed to (e.g. a double instead of a single shot) is also a form of spiking.

Spiking can take place in many settings such as nightclubs, bars, restaurants, house parties, community events, or even private homes.

Speak out and support

You can share what happened in whichever of these two ways feels most comfortable for you.

To arrange an appointment with one of our advisers, please complete our online form. You may choose how much information you wish to share, and accessing support does not require making a formal report. Alternatively, you can choose to report anonymously.

Complete form

Report anonymously

If you are having difficulty completing the form, please email studentcases@ucb.ac.uk.

The law and impact

Spiking is a criminal offence. It can result in up to 10 years in prison, and potentially longer if connected to another crime like assault, sexual violence, or theft. The emotional and physical impact on someone who has been spiked can be significant and long-lasting.

If you believe you have been spiked or know someone who has, you are not alone. UCB is here to support you. You can report an incident and access support through our reporting tool. Our Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Service offers confidential, person-centred support and can be reached via studentcases@ucb.ac.uk.

How do I know if I've been spiked?

Spiking affects everyone differently depending on the substance used, but some common symptoms include:

  • Feeling more drunk than expected
  • Confusion, disorientation, or trouble communicating
  • Sleepiness or sudden tiredness
  • Hallucinations or paranoia
  • Memory loss or blackouts
  • Nausea, vomiting, or incontinence
  • Anxiety or panic
  • Loss of control or consciousness

Symptoms can appear within 30 minutes and may last several hours. If you’re experiencing any of these, seek help immediately and consider going to A&E for a blood or urine test - some substances leave the body quickly.

You may also notice your drink looks or tastes unusual:

  • Foggy or cloudy appearance
  • Excessive bubbles
  • Different colour or strange taste
  • Ice that sinks instead of floating

Remember, you are not to blame. The responsibility always lies with the perpetrator.

Sexual violence after spiking

If you’ve been sexually assaulted following a suspected spiking incident, you can contact a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) directly. The closest to UCB is Horizon, offering medical care, forensic evidence collection, and emotional support.

  • Horizon 24/7 helpline: 0330 223 0099
  • You can self-refer, with or without police involvement
  • More info: NHS SARC services

Support for students

If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, call 999.  If you think you have been spiked, tell someone you trust - a friend, venue staff, or call for medical help. Visit A&E or dial 999 if you need urgent assistance.

Support at University College Birmingham

Being spiked can be a frightening and isolating experience. UCB is here to help. If you or someone else is vulnerable or at risk, please contact our Safeguarding Team: safeguarding@ucb.ac.uk. All concerns are handled confidentially and sensitively.

Reporting options

You can use UCB’s internal support routes to make a disclosure and speak with a trained advisor.

They’ll help you understand your options - whether you need emotional support, academic adjustments, practical advice, or help creating a safety plan. You are in control of what happens next. Making a disclosure does not automatically trigger disciplinary action unless you request it.

You can self-refer via our reporting tool. If you have any questions, you can speak to an adviser at studentcases@ucb.ac.uk. 

Reporting to the police

If the incident is not an emergency, you can still report it by:

An officer will take some details and provide a crime reference number. Police forces have specially trained staff who can support you through the reporting process, especially in cases involving spiking or sexual violence. You can find more information about these options via the police or NHS websites.

You can also report anonymously through The Egalitarian, a community-based reporting platform where people can submit or view anonymous reports of spiking, including details like the location, date, and venue response.

Making a formal complaint to UCB

At UCB, you can speak to a Student Services Adviser for advice and support if you’re thinking about making a formal complaint.

If you would like to formally report another student as part of the University’s internal disciplinary process, contact Student Services through our reporting tool or visit the Student Services Unit in person. An adviser will explain the process and help you understand your options before submitting a complaint.

If your complaint involves a member of UCB staff, you can find more guidance on how to raise a concern or complaint on the UCB Intranet or speak to a Student Services Adviser for support.

If you decide to report the incident to both the police and the University, Student Services can help you through both processes. If you report to the police, it can be helpful to provide UCB with:

  • The Crime Reference Number
  • The name and course of the individual reported
  • Details of when and where the incident occurred
  • A brief summary of the type of incident (e.g. spiking, harassment, assault)


You don’t have to go through this alone - Student Services Advisers are here to support you before, during and after any action you choose to take.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Support

At University College Birmingham, your mental health matters. We offer a range of support services to help you feel safe, supported, and heard.

Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Team includes qualified counsellors and advisers who can offer up to six one-to-one support sessions per term. This includes help with emotional wellbeing, mental health concerns, and coping strategies for challenges that may affect your studies or personal life.

To access this service, you can self-refer via the student portal.

24/7 Support: Student Assistance Programme

In addition to in-house support, students also have access to the Student Assistance Programme, a confidential 24/7 helpline offering:

  • Emotional support
  • Counselling
  • Legal and financial advice
  • Practical guidance for everyday challenges
  • This service is available day or night, 365 days a year.

Wisdom App

The Wisdom App gives you access to a wide range of mental health and wellbeing resources, including self-help tools, guided meditations, and wellbeing articles - all at your fingertips.

Please find the app downloadable from your app marketplace. Find out more.

External support services

Supporting someone who may have been spiked

It can be extremely upsetting and frightening to see a friend showing signs of being spiked. If you suspect this has happened, try to stay calm and take the following steps to help:

  • Move them to a safe place and stay with them. If possible, ask another friend to assist you.
  • If you're in a bar, club, or venue, notify a member of staff or venue security immediately.
  • Discourage them from consuming more alcohol or any other drinks.
  • Talk to them reassuringly to help keep them calm.
  • Never leave them alone, and don’t let them go home with someone they don’t know or trust.
  • If they appear to be very unwell or unresponsive, call 999 for emergency medical help.
  • If they do not require emergency attention but are still disoriented, call 111 for medical advice and keep them with someone trustworthy until they are safe to go home.

If you're in a venue, staff may be able to help access medical assistance and support reporting to the police if your friend chooses to do so.

If you witness spiking

If you see someone spiking a drink:

  • Warn the person before they consume it.
  • Inform venue staff immediately and, if possible, identify the individual responsible so they can take action and contact the police.
  • You may be asked to give a statement if police are involved.

If you didn’t directly witness the spiking, but notice suspicious behaviour, still alert the venue staff so they can monitor the situation.

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