If you’ve been keeping up with the news as of recently, you’ll be aware of the increasing cases of spiking incidents across the UK. As clubs and individuals across the UK become smarter with spiking preventatives, spiking has taken a sinister turn towards sly injections. However, regardless of how someone is spiked, these traumas can be one of the most damaging to their mental health. The prevalence of date rape crimes is on the increase. Shockingly, most date rape victims know their assailants, with 57% reporting incidents happening on a date. Over 18% of women and 1% of men experience this in their lifetime. For women, 37% of victims are between 18 and 24, making young women most vulnerable on nights out. But as a male victim, that does not make your trauma any less valid. Spiking and the use of date rape drugs are a complete violation of your body, safety and personal boundaries, leaving you defenceless and a victim. If you’ve been spiked, or perhaps you were with someone who was spiked, it can leave you thinking: what could I have done differently? This line of questioning is exactly what causes mental trauma to spiral in spiking incidents. What’s important to remember is that spiking is not your fault. No matter what you wear, who you’re with, what you do or where you go, spiking is an act out of your control by someone else. And, at the end of the day, spiking and date rape drugs are illegal.If you have been spiked with a date rape drug, it is important you speak out so you can access the help you may need. However, like dealing with other traumas, there are steps you can take to help you accept what has happened to you. Whilst the effects of date rape drugs may only last a few hours, the emotional trauma from this event can follow you if left untreated. Suppose you are a victim of spiking and feel it is affecting you mentally, socially and physically. In that case, it is crucial to consult a therapist to help you overcome this horrific event. Of course, trusting others is a big step after such circumstances, but speaking to a trained professional allows you personal distance and no ties. For some, these are crucial factors that enable them to address how date rape has impacted them.

You’re a survivor

Whilst spiking incidents can make you feel like a victim, a great way to change your mental attitude is to view yourself as a survivor. This approach takes away the power from your attacker and places it directly in your hands. Changing your mental outset to what you’ve gone through is an essential step in overcoming your trauma.

Don’t stop being you!

It is devastating to be a survivor of spiking; however, it’s important not to let it control you. For example, if you were spiked on a night out with friends, you might find yourself wary of going out and putting yourself in that position. What’s important is that you do not give your attacker that power. Whilst it is frustrating that victims must watch their drinks and be overly cautious, you cannot let this incident take away apart of you.When returning to nights out and dating, ensure you are surrounded by supportive and genuine friends. But rather than relying on this trust, there are other things you can do to have a good time while being vigilant. From always informing someone of where you are and who you’re with, especially when getting back into the dating scene, to purchasing bottled drinks, you can take these additional measures to aid your return to the social stage.

Raise awareness

You may well be aware of campaigns across the UK, especially in university cities, raising awareness of the increases in drinking spikings on nights out. Joining these campaigns and reading other people’s stories will help you recognise that you are not alone and there is a fight against your attackers. Just google your city and ‘anti-spiking’, and you are bound to find groups of survivors and allies coming together to raise awareness of the increase in spiking incidents.Recently there has been a push to raise awareness around the symptoms of spiking, helping people to recognise when someone is under the influence of a date rape drug. The campaign #NotInMyDrink is a great example of this, and they offer free information surrounding this crime.

Protect your mental health

Protecting your mental health is just as important as protecting your physical health. You may find it challenging and traumatic to try and share your story with loved ones, but, in this case, a therapist is more than capable of helping and understanding.Drink spiking can take you to an extremely vulnerable state of mind, and if left untreated, you may be struggling with trauma for years to come. Speaking to a therapist in a safe, controlled environment could be the reassuring company you need to share your experience. Not only that, but your therapist will also be able to assign coping strategies and set out a recovery journey for you. This will allow your mental trauma to recover so that you can go back to having fun the way you used to.

A list of resources for survivors:

• instagram.com/ivebeenspiked - an Instagram account where you can report an incident.
• goodnightoutcampaign.org/info - a safer nightlife campaign.
• Stoptopps.com - a great anti-spiking drink lid.
• Nightline.ac.UK - a student-led helpline.

If you’re a survivor of spiking or date rape and would like to consult a therapist, please head over to my website. I offer in-person or over the phone appointments to suit your needs; we can help you overcome your experience together.