Heading off on holiday or a backpacking adventure soon? Whether it’s Bali, Thailand, Spain or somewhere else sunny, it’s all about meeting new friends, great nights out and making memories.
However, while you’re busy soaking up the fun, unfortunately there is a risk of having your drink tampered with or spiked, so it’s worth familiarising yourself with the steps you can take to help you keep safe.
We have partnered with FCDO’s Travel Aware campaign to share some tips to help you protect yourself against spiking and methanol poisoning whilst you’re on your trip of a lifetime
Drink spiking
Spiking is when someone sneaks something into your drink, like drugs or harmful substances, without you knowing. It can be done to make you blackout, incapacitated, or worse.
Signs to look out for to help you know when to seek help or medical attention:
Feeling more drunk than you should, drowsy, or confused could mean your drink has been tampered with. Some people experience hallucinations, paranoia, and memory blackouts. Trust your gut if something feels wrong.
How to reduce your risk of spiking whilst abroad:
- Keep an eye on your drink. Don’t leave it unattended, even for a second. If it smells or tastes odd, bin it.
- Say no to drinks from strangers. Better safe than sorry.
- Stick to venues with a decent reputation — trust your gut if a bar feels shady, as it isn’t worth the risk.
- Don’t overdo it. Alcohol can hit harder abroad because measures are sometimes larger, and dehydration from heat can make you feel worse, meaning it can be easier to lose control.
- Check FCDO Travel Advice for your destination. Where FCDO is aware of a particularly high number of spiking cases reported in an area, it will be mentioned.
- Use drink protection devices or covers which can prevent them from being tampered with.
- Plan your trip home. Arrange transport before heading out so you’re not stuck accepting lifts you might not feel comfortable with.
Methanol poisoning or “spiking”
Methanol spiking is when alcohol is contaminated with methanol – a toxic chemical - to save money. Once ingested, methanol turns into formic acid, which can be seriously dangerous; effects include vision problems, permanent damage to your central nervous system, or, in extreme cases, death.
Signs to look out for to help you know when to seek help or medical attention:
Symptoms hit harder and faster than regular alcohol. If you’re suddenly dizzy, nauseous, or struggling to see properly after just a couple of drinks, something’s off. Serious symptoms appear 12-48 hours after drinking: headaches, seizures, serious vision impairments or even slipping into a coma.
Tips to avoid methanol poisoning:
Methanol has a faint smell and is tasteless so it can be hard to know if your drink has been contaminated. So here are a few tips to keep you and your mates safe:
- Stick to legit places. Only buy your drinks from bars you trust, reputable hotels or licenced shops.
- Avoid homemade alcohol. Local spirits or homemade vodka might seem fun and adventurous, but they’re high-risk.
- Check your bottles. Seals should be intact, and labels should look legit (no misspellings or questionable printing).
- Be picky about cocktails. Sealed or bottled drinks are safest. Pre-mixed cocktails and “buckets” (cheap mixed drinks served in plastic containers) in touristy areas can be a gamble.
- Report incidents. Let the local authorities know if you suspect methanol poisoning – this can help prevent further incidents.
Take a look at the following pages for further guidance or helpful tips staying safe whilst overseas:
Check FCDO travel advice for your destination and sign up to email alerts on your destination’s page for the most up-to-date information before you travel.
You can also follow FCDO travel advice campaign social channels, for regular info about updates to travel advice: