Weird whiskey
Question
I went out with a few friends last night and had a fair amount to drink, but nowhere near as much as I've had on previous occasions. Towards the end of the night a friend and I had one last drink - a single whiskey - and following this we both became extremely ill. We were vomiting, lost physical control and felt panicky.
It was pretty scary, and I suspect someone might've spiked our drinks because it felt worse than the usual effects of alcohol. Although, I haven't ruled out the fact that it could've just been caused by the whiskey alone. What do you think?
Answer
It's hard to say whether your drink was spiked or not, although it's worthwhile remembering that alcohol on its own is a powerful drug that can put your health at risk and leave you vulnerable to danger if abused.
Alcohol is a depressant and can affect different people in different ways. It impairs the body's central nervous system, causing the usual symptoms of being drunk, such as disturbed balance, slurred speech, blurred vision, excess sweating and a dulled sensation of pain.
How drunk you get can depend on your size, gender and metabolism, as well as what you drink and in what quantity. Also, bear in mind that some drinks have higher alcohol levels in them than others. Spirits in the UK are marked with the %ABV - this system displays the quantity of alcohol as a percentage of the total volume of the bottle at 20°C. A label on a bottle of whiskey is likely to display a higher percentage than, say, wine or beer. The higher the percentage, the more likely you'll feel the effects of being drunk compared to a like-for-like measure of a drink with a lower percentage.
Alcohol consumption is measured in units. Keeping an eye on how many units you consume will indicate whether you're drinking a dangerously excessive amount. Health experts recommend that men drink no more than 21 units a week and women no more than 14.
There is a possibility that your drink can be spiked - this happens when a drug (typically Rohypnol or GHB, also known as 'date rape' drugs) is put in a person's drink without their knowledge. To help ensure your safety, you could make an agreement with your friends to watch out for each other on a night out and never leave your drink unattended. If a stranger offers to buy you a drink, go up to the bar with them so you can keep an eye on what's happening.
If you'd like further advice about the symptoms you experienced that night, you could talk to your doctor (GP) or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647. If you'd like to talk to someone about the risks and effects of alcohol or of having your drink spiked, you could also contact Frank on 0800 77 66 00 for free, confidential advice and information.
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