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Original poster

Could my 54 year old husband have had his drink spiked tonight

356 replies

MadKitty · 31/10/2025 01:53

Just that really. He went for drinks after work with a colleague. We don’t drink much in general, maybe a couple of units a month. I picked him up from the station at 11pm, all the other passengers left and I could see on my phone that he was still on the platform. Called him and he was barely coherent. Saw him staggering down the platform holding onto a railing.

After 10 mins he gets in the car, he’s soiled himself, grey and uncommunicative. Talking weird and not making sense. Walked in the house and literally dropped to the floor. I know, I know….. you’re thinking he’s been on a bender. He’s had less than a bottle of wine, maybe 3 glasses from what I’m gathering. This is the opposite of who he is and how he drinks.

Nearly 3 hours later he’s still lying on the floor with his head in a bowl. He’s so confused and unlike him. 111 tell me he’s just drunk. I’m hoping in the next hour I can get him standing so I can get him in the shower. He said this came on suddenly during the 20 min train journey. Could this be spiking?

Anyone around who might have some insight?

OP posts:
BreakfastOfChampignons · 31/10/2025 01:56

Grey and uncommunicative would have had me taking him to A&E

My concern would be that the assumption hes just drunk (especially if this is v unlike him) is masking something medical going on. How responsive is he now?

WhichTeam · 31/10/2025 01:56

If it's out of character for him to get himself drunk, I'd probably take him to A and E. If his drink has been spiked, they can test for it. It's also possible he has something medical going on. What you describe sounds like my DH during a Meniere's attack (though that doesn't involve soiling himself, going grey or totally being unable to communicate).

Bobbie12345678 · 31/10/2025 01:56

I would consider calling an ambulance. You might be made to feel silly. He might just be drunk.
But he might have had some sort of stroke or heart attack or be septic. It is a really weird story.
(Assuming that you trust him?)

WallaceinAnderland · 31/10/2025 02:01

If this has never happened before, I would call an ambulance.

Lostsadandconfused · 31/10/2025 02:05

Drink spiking is so rare it’s pretty much an urban myth.

Yes I know, everyone has had a personal experience or knows someone who knows someone etc etc.

It’s almost always someone not realising how much they’ve drunk, drinking on an empty stomach etc.

wordledrivingmemad · 31/10/2025 02:06

As far as testing goes, that’s a police matter. My son came home literally paralytic. We called an ambulance because he was unconscious and couldn’t be roused, they did check him over said he was drunk and to not leave him in his wet soiled trousers and to cover him with a blanket. He was concerned he had been spiked when he became conscious, I personally don’t the no he was. Police said it was unlikely but would test if he wanted him to but the told him the costs of testing, then that they wouldn’t be able to do anything even if he had been because of the lack of evidence that could be collected, cctv grainy, unusual for a man to be spiked.

If you can, take his temperature to see if it’s normal. The grey parlour is concerning.

Original poster
MadKitty · 31/10/2025 02:06

See I called 111 because he wasn’t unconscious and could still talk. The first call handler said he fit the criteria for an ambulance and that I’d get a call back. When the next person called, she wanted to speak to him (he can only speak a handful of words at a time) and she started out by saying I hear you’ve been drinking and got drunk…. I said can I stop you there, and explained my original OP. I said I was worried he’d been spiked. She ultimately said it wasn’t an emergency and no risk to life.

OP posts:
MeganM3 · 31/10/2025 02:07

He’s not really a target for spiking. And I’m not sure if he’d be able to get himself off a train if spiked. But it does sound like something dangerous has happened and I think he should be seen by a doctor / a&e, they can test for spiking - or something else.
I’d check for any signs of a stroke or hart attack on the way to the hospital.

Hiriketya · 31/10/2025 02:07

Men do get spiked so that they can be robbed - however it’s unlikely he would have made it to the train if he was spiked in a bar or restaurant. His symptoms sound very serious - I agree with others to call an ambulance.

WallaceinAnderland · 31/10/2025 02:16

It doesn't sound like he was spiked but it does sound like a medical emergency so call an ambulance. Paramedics will assess him.

Original poster
MadKitty · 31/10/2025 02:19

Honestly in the car I was fuming as I thought he’d been drinking loads and just got wasted. But then it was his pallor and confusion which didn’t fit.

Also if I were reading this, I’d be thinking yeah right, Thu night, he’s been drinking too hard. I 100% believe him and trust what he’s saying. He had red wine by the glass so this made me wonder. And as someone referenced above, I did wonder if he might be a crime target. He does have all his wallet and laptop from what I can see.

Hes still on the floor but propped on his elbow now which feels like progress. I’m going to keep a close eye for heading to A and E so thanks for the advice. I’ll make a judgement in the next 30 mins I think but he does seem a bit more with it just now

OP posts:
Lolapusht · 31/10/2025 02:24

This sounds like a medical emergency.

If he hadn’t been drinking, what would your reaction be?

3 glasses of wine isn’t enough to make him that unwell.

This could be a stroke, heart attack or a seizure.

I just put what you said into google and it said “medical emergency. Call an ambulance”.

Call an ambulance and worry about him being ok once they’ve arrived and assessed him.

Please.

WhichTeam · 31/10/2025 02:25

I wouldn't wait 30 minutes. I'd phone an ambulance now.

HateLongCovid · 31/10/2025 02:27

Hope he’s ok OP. Keep us updated.

WhatWouldRoyKentSay · 31/10/2025 02:46

Six years ago I would have been like, yeah, nah, he's just drunk. But in 2019, one of my siblings collapsed at the pub one night and people just thought, oh, drunk. They weren't though; luckily someone there recognised it as a medical event and called the ambo.

Willyoujustbequiet · 31/10/2025 02:57

Lostsadandconfused · 31/10/2025 02:05

Drink spiking is so rare it’s pretty much an urban myth.

Yes I know, everyone has had a personal experience or knows someone who knows someone etc etc.

It’s almost always someone not realising how much they’ve drunk, drinking on an empty stomach etc.

Its not rare at all. Its relatively common and also under reported.

Research by Angela Ruskin puts it at 1.2 million adults in the last year.

Noodledog · 31/10/2025 02:58

MadKitty · 31/10/2025 01:53

Just that really. He went for drinks after work with a colleague. We don’t drink much in general, maybe a couple of units a month. I picked him up from the station at 11pm, all the other passengers left and I could see on my phone that he was still on the platform. Called him and he was barely coherent. Saw him staggering down the platform holding onto a railing.

After 10 mins he gets in the car, he’s soiled himself, grey and uncommunicative. Talking weird and not making sense. Walked in the house and literally dropped to the floor. I know, I know….. you’re thinking he’s been on a bender. He’s had less than a bottle of wine, maybe 3 glasses from what I’m gathering. This is the opposite of who he is and how he drinks.

Nearly 3 hours later he’s still lying on the floor with his head in a bowl. He’s so confused and unlike him. 111 tell me he’s just drunk. I’m hoping in the next hour I can get him standing so I can get him in the shower. He said this came on suddenly during the 20 min train journey. Could this be spiking?

Anyone around who might have some insight?

It's incredibly unlikely that his drink was spiked. But he's clearly very unwell, so he's in the right place.

20000000l · 31/10/2025 02:58

None of us can say.

To be honest I can see why medical professionals at 111 might be sceptical about whether it’s alcohol or non consensual drugging, just simply because of the volumes of drunk patients they deal with. To a certain degree alcohol intake can cause a spectrum of symptoms that can present as something else - but the only way anyone would know for sure, is if he is tested.

I don’t necessarily know whether he was spiked or not. However it could be as simple as: he wasn’t spiked but for what reason the alcohol intake has flared up something else; it might have been taken in combination with a lack of food; or didn’t agree with his daily medication if he is taking any; or other conditions he might have, or be a new onset condition entirely etc. It’s all speculation until he has been treated.

Covidwoes · 31/10/2025 03:04

Do you have the contact number of the colleague OP, or is it in your husband’s phone? Could you call them and ask for some info, like how much your DH has had to drink etc?

CinnamonCinnabar · 31/10/2025 03:06

I would be concerned he's had/having a heart attack. You really should get him back in the car and go to ED.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 31/10/2025 03:06

Lostsadandconfused · 31/10/2025 02:05

Drink spiking is so rare it’s pretty much an urban myth.

Yes I know, everyone has had a personal experience or knows someone who knows someone etc etc.

It’s almost always someone not realising how much they’ve drunk, drinking on an empty stomach etc.

Your evidence is what??

An urban myth....

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 31/10/2025 03:09

I really wouldbt wait... I'd call paramedics.

It's an abnormal reaction if he's genuinely only drunk 3 pub measures of wine.

Noodledog · 31/10/2025 03:22

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 31/10/2025 03:09

I really wouldbt wait... I'd call paramedics.

It's an abnormal reaction if he's genuinely only drunk 3 pub measures of wine.

Yes. He's 54 OP, and really not well. I would stop worrying about drinks being spiked, and make sure he gets help urgently.

I hope you've got him to A&E. And tell the doctors that he doesn't drink a lot, and this is completely abnormal for him and you're seriously worried. I hope he's ok

TooBigForMyBoots · 31/10/2025 03:33

I was spiked years ago. I was only on my 2nd beer when it hit. Fortunately my friends realised something was wrong and got me home and safe.

It looks to you that your DH has been spiked @MadKitty. It looks that way to me too.Sad

Hand hold for you tonight.Brew

Princessconsuelabananahammock9 · 31/10/2025 04:00

Take him to A & E.
The gray pallor is very concerning.