You always hear stories of people getting spiked, but you never think it’ll happen to you. Sadly, for me, it happened. On Thursday night I went out with my friends for a long-awaited event we were excited for. However, only an hour in, I was confused and throwing up in the toilet.
When telling people what happened the next day, I received questions such as ‘did you leave your drink unattended?’ or ‘are you sure you weren’t just really drunk?’. This angered me slightly as I think people almost excuse what’s happened because people don’t want to believe that it has actually happened. But I most definitely was not too drunk as I had drunk the same amount I have done many times previously, and once I was at the event, I bought one can of Hooch and had it in my hand all night, not leaving my sight. Despite these normal safety precautions we sadly have to take when we go out, it didn’t stop someone targeting me.
I don’t really remember a ot of what happened. One moment I was dancing with my friends, and the next I gained awareness that I was throwing up in the toilet. I had no concept of time and how long I’d been there. I didn’t even know where I was exactly. Luckily, I had my friends in the toilet with me constantly talking to me checking I was okay. I could vaguely hear them asking me to get up and in my head, I was telling myself to do the same, but my body just wouldn’t cooperate. I couldn’t stand or walk for myself, I could barely talk, and I couldn’t focus on anything with my vison being extremely blurred. The way I felt is unlike anything I’ve felt before and that’s why I knew something was wrong. At this point I think it really hit my friends something was seriously wrong with me and that I hadn’t just had a sip too many of Hooch.
Pulling me up and out of the toilets, the girls managed to get my limp body outside. I was trying with all my might to cooperate, but I just couldn’t. Everything was so blurred, and I was so confused about what was going on, it didn’t feel real. Hitting fresh air instead of a stuffy club definitely slightly helped me. Luckily, one of our friends was out and lived nearby, so the girls managed to get me there. After a few minutes my body started heaving and once again I was throwing up. Whatever was in my body, it was being severely rejected. At this point, Mia rang 111 for me. I sat outside in the fresh air throwing up whilst she was on the phone trying to get some help and answers. My vision was still blurred and I just wasn’t right. The nurse on the phone soon wanted to speak to me and I tried with all my might to answer her questions and really focus on what she was saying. As time went on, and I kept being sick, I think whatever was in my system finally was out. I still remained talking to the nurse and told her I felt a whole lot better now. She agreed with me and could tell from my voice I was improving; before, she said I sounded very distant but now she could tell I had more of an awareness of what was going on. I then had to talk to a doctor and answer her questions, to which she came to the conclusion I was definitely improving quickly and didn’t need to go to A&E, unless my symptoms worsened again. She suggested I had my friends check on me as I slept, just in case anything went wrong.
I was a lucky one. I had my friends around me that I trusted looking after me. You can never be too cautious when going out, and this really proved that to me. I think what upsets me the most is that I'll never get answers. I'll never know who did this or why. Another thing is the sheer amount of people I know who this has happened to also. So this is why I want to try and spread awareness and help people if this unfortunately happens to you or your friends.
Here’s a few ways from the NHS of how to prevent drink spiking:
• Never leave your drink unattended, and keep an eye on your friends' drinks.
• Don't accept a drink from someone you don't know.
• Consider sticking to bottled drinks and avoiding punch bowls or jugs of cocktails.
• If you think your drink's been tampered with, don't drink it – tell a trusted friend or relative immediately.
• Before going out, let someone know where you're going and what time you expect to be home.
• Make plans for your journey home.
Here’s the link to the NHS page on drink spiking and what you should do if you think your drink has been spiked in further detail.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/drink-spiking-and-date-rape-drugs/
Big thank you to the NHS and the nurse and doctor I spoke to who greatly helped me and put me at ease, despite the scary members in our sad society doing things like this.
Please always be careful when you go out. Never go somewhere in a club or an event by yourself, whether that’s a trip the toilet, or the smoking area. Try drinking from bottles or cans instead of open cups. If you start to feel strange or more drunk than you should be, get help immediately. If you need urgent help, call 999. If you feel unwell, ring 111 or go to the nearest A&E. It’s always best to get yourself checked and make sure you’re alright.
Stay safe everyone x
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