Page 11 | Could my 54 year old husband have had his drink spiked tonight

MadKitty · 2025-10-31T01:53:29+00:00

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?

Hello98765 · 31/10/2025 13:25

I know it's slightly off topic, but you went on a health kick to cut down from 1 unit a week to one a month?

One unit a week is one single g&t a week. Not even a regular sized glass of wine. There is absolutely no need to cut down your alcohol intake from that, it would pose no risk to health whatsoever. Sorry I just wanted to say in case you thought it might have some health benefits!

ForeverDelayedEpiphany · 31/10/2025 13:26

Hi OP, I'm so sorry that your husband was so unwell. That sounds so terrible and terrifying, he was very lucky to have such a supportive kind person like you looking after him.

I.hope he is ok now. I remember seeing a documentary on tv about a controlled experience and experiment at a hospital where the presenter deliberately was spiked - but she didn't know which drink - and was closely monitored by medical professionals and doctors. She had a similar experience to your DH and said it was very interesting how out of control she felt, and as though she was unable to move her body while feeling very unwell 😫

I hope you are all OK now and your poor husband recovers well.💖

MrGruber · 31/10/2025 13:28

Posted too soon .."obvs types and quantities of drugs that could be used vary eormously along with the individuals body & state of mind atthe time

...but as posters are saying ,any substance may be far less important than the actual symptomss ,

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 31/10/2025 13:34

My intolerance to sulphites (probably) started almost overnight. I was happily drinking a bottle of wine at the weekend with no more ill effects than a bit of a headache. Then abruptly I was having the alcohol induced migraines, at first only occasionally (probably, looking back, when I drank cheaper than usual wine) and then, when I only drank the very tiny Prosecco and was SO ill, I just stopped drinking altogether because it was unpredictable (and unspeakably awful).

So you can develop an intolerance overnight.

Original poster

MadKitty · 31/10/2025 13:36

Hello98765 · 31/10/2025 13:25

I know it's slightly off topic, but you went on a health kick to cut down from 1 unit a week to one a month?

One unit a week is one single g&t a week. Not even a regular sized glass of wine. There is absolutely no need to cut down your alcohol intake from that, it would pose no risk to health whatsoever. Sorry I just wanted to say in case you thought it might have some health benefits!

A health kick because I have a one year minimum treatment plan for a potentially serious illness. Husband was supporting me with getting myself in a good healthy place, ie we’ve lost weight, looked at our diet, cut down the booze. @Hello98765 you might think we’re a bit nuts with that but when things like that happen, you sometimes do whatever you can to give yourself a good chance. That’s all a bit off topic though

OP posts:

Original poster

MadKitty · 31/10/2025 13:37

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 31/10/2025 13:34

My intolerance to sulphites (probably) started almost overnight. I was happily drinking a bottle of wine at the weekend with no more ill effects than a bit of a headache. Then abruptly I was having the alcohol induced migraines, at first only occasionally (probably, looking back, when I drank cheaper than usual wine) and then, when I only drank the very tiny Prosecco and was SO ill, I just stopped drinking altogether because it was unpredictable (and unspeakably awful).

So you can develop an intolerance overnight.

I’m moving towards it being this.

OP posts:

Appleseason · 31/10/2025 13:39

My DH got spiked two years ago. He had been drinking too. He has around an hour completely missing from his memory and had his watch, wallet and phone stolen.
His friend got off much worse. He had left to go to his hotel and woke up to find his bank account and his business account completely emptied. It had come up as having been spent in a strip club. Except he never went to a strip club. The bank was really difficult in taking it seriously.

Blueskiesandrainbows · 31/10/2025 13:39

Hi OP I would be very seriously concerned that you husband has had a TIA, I would really encourage him to seek some medical advice at least. He is at the age when these things can strike out of the blue.
Until he’s had a medical check up he has no idea what caused it and it’s certainly not normal.

Bambamhoohoo · 31/10/2025 13:42

MrGruber · 31/10/2025 13:25

I would call an ambulance now OP , nomatter how much your Dh isdreads it or refuses

-most reluctant user of medical services you will meet ... don"t leave it later this afternoon as the extra load on A& E today -Friday / half term / Halloween would be about 15 times as busy round here as a normal weekday

"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"

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

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

from experience fwe never dare leave illness wait & see on A Friday because it is Friday busy hospi , half term and Halloween A&E & other departments etc

Pls bear with me but may be relevant to compare your DHs symptoms with we other posters -I too had my drink spiked by a pair of acquaintances in late 90s and obvs many types & quantities drugs ,

-but although i have a condition affecting alcohol tolerance & bowels & (also used to get very severe , total -collapse migraines as beng discussed,)-

though I was slowed down & slightly slurry , it affected bowels only slightly & I was no in any state still just about able to cope with a 2 hr ride home , on phone to partner

& I was teetotal so easily made drunk

I recommend getting your calling ambulance now fior your DH , know how hard it is to push a fragile, even scared unwell person but think of it as hopefully just the once in your lifetime together ..

..remind him he can refuse when the paramedcs get there , which he may be able to but they will know whether to try to persuade him to go in

For me , seeing those symptoms , therisks are too high not to of lasting ill health / disability

when in A& E/ hospital don"t give up if he feels too ill to stay (speaking from eperience- you will not get the same assessments at an outpatiet appts )

there was a thread recently on waiting in A&E ., one of many -poster will advise

You absolutely should not call an ambulance.

if you want him to get checked out at hospital there is absolutely not reason OP wouldn’t drive him there herself. Or get the bloody bus ffs. The idea of taking up an emergency ambulance for this is boggling.

Pleasealexa · 31/10/2025 13:43

Could it be tolerances - I'm thinking more and more, yes, but I had no idea that drinking just a small amount can leave you like this

Alcohol consumed quicky can cause this, especially if not used to drinking. It occurs more frequently as we get older however I would suggest he gets some blood tests, including liver function.

Also good to have some monitors at home, such as blood pressure and oxygen meter. Just useful to assess key indicators.

PrawnofthePatriarchy · 31/10/2025 13:43

My calm, logical younger adult DS went out with some mates one night. Woke up in the cells. Was told he'd hit a police officer. DS was horrified. He'd had no previous trouble with the police.

After quite a brief interview they told him the difference between him now and him the night before was so dramatic they believed he'd been spiked. He was released with no charge. They arranged for him to apologise to the poor officer face to face, at DS's request. The guy was very nice about it, DS says.

Being spiked didn't have any of the same effects on DS as your DH OP. DS became aggressive, foul mouthed and unreasonable. No soiling or drowsiness.

theressomanytinafeysicouldbe · 31/10/2025 13:44

Could you buy a drugs test online to put your mind at rest? they are only a few pound and you can do it at home

I have been spiked twice, first time I felt euphoria twice straight after one another then immediately spent the next 2 hours throwing up literally down my front, my exh had to hold me upright cause i had not control over my body, everyone thought i was drunk but i'd only had 3 pints. Another girl we were out with was exactly the same. It was in our local pub but there were a groupd of men from another pub in there, young immature and over friendly, our drinks were on the table (in the early 2000's so wasn't as common as it is now)

2nd time I don't remember anything and ended up passing out on the way through the front door and smacking my head off a chest of drawers. I hadn't finished my drink, only had half of it and when i started feeling ill I gave it to a friend to finish. He had heart problem and ended up in hospital where they found drugs in his system.

Beeloux · 31/10/2025 13:47

Blueskiesandrainbows · 31/10/2025 13:39

Hi OP I would be very seriously concerned that you husband has had a TIA, I would really encourage him to seek some medical advice at least. He is at the age when these things can strike out of the blue.
Until he’s had a medical check up he has no idea what caused it and it’s certainly not normal.

I agree. My DF (similar age) had a suspected one last year. His symptoms were very similar to being drunk apart from it happened when he was working, sober and he can’t remember anything of it.

It could just be a coincidence that her DH had consumed some alcohol.

Blueskiesandrainbows · 31/10/2025 13:50

Beeloux · 31/10/2025 13:47

I agree. My DF (similar age) had a suspected one last year. His symptoms were very similar to being drunk apart from it happened when he was working, sober and he can’t remember anything of it.

It could just be a coincidence that her DH had consumed some alcohol.

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It fits the description of one perfectly, please don’t ignore it OP it could be serious.

unleashthebook · 31/10/2025 13:53

Did he also have some food? Just wondering if food poisoning could be a contender.

Catpiece · 31/10/2025 13:53

Alasar · 31/10/2025 12:03

Very similar happened to my husband a few years ago. He is still fully convinced he was spiked. He soiled himself and at one point was crying he was so confused. I had seen him drunk before but never like that. He had been with a group of reliable mates and none of them were like he was. He remembered a guy over beside him chatting him up so to speak and is convinced it was him who spiked the drink.

I remember years ago in my early 20s waking up in my bed covered in vomit. I had no idea how I had got there. My friend said she had never seen anything like it one minute I was fine the next I was incoherent and falling all over the place . It's scary stuff.

Agree. In my 20s I was out drinking halves of lager. I think some of the girls I was with were putting vodka in theirs and all the lagers got mixed up. I was in a right state. Also one year, Christmas party. I ended up laying on the pavement in the Strand. I had been drinking the punch. F knows what was in it. Scary x

LT1233 · 31/10/2025 14:04

He's not on any weight loss jabs is he?

My tolerance for wine went from being able to drink 2 bottles before being absolutely hammered to 2 glasses. If I drink 2 glasses now (on jabs) I'm absolutely ruined.

Halftermtired · 31/10/2025 14:05

So he had a skinful and let his hair down - fair play to him!

I hope you made the dirty bastard clean up the shitty mess in your car, OP?

banananas1999 · 31/10/2025 14:06

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.

Not rare at all. Personal experience with orange juice I have never drank alcohol

spoonbillstretford · 31/10/2025 14:27

Katiesaidthat · 31/10/2025 10:58

This happened to someone I know, she had the wherewithall fast to dart for the security guy and tell him and just slithered into a heap. The paramedics were called and they checked her leg, and there it was a needle prick, which later became a bruise. She had zero recollection later.

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Yes, DD1 did have a needle mark on her leg too. Her friends helped her get home and made sure she was ok, and it was reported to the club, police and university the next day.

Original poster

MadKitty · 31/10/2025 14:28

just to say to those suggesting this could be something medical, I’m absolutely not ignoring that and I’m suggesting he needs to go to the gp to check. As he’s becoming more himself and I’m telling him what happened, this whole experience has shocked him

OP posts:

Hermyknee · 31/10/2025 14:29

I would also be concerned about a TIA.

Isayitasitis · 31/10/2025 14:30

PrawnofthePatriarchy · 31/10/2025 13:43

My calm, logical younger adult DS went out with some mates one night. Woke up in the cells. Was told he'd hit a police officer. DS was horrified. He'd had no previous trouble with the police.

After quite a brief interview they told him the difference between him now and him the night before was so dramatic they believed he'd been spiked. He was released with no charge. They arranged for him to apologise to the poor officer face to face, at DS's request. The guy was very nice about it, DS says.

Being spiked didn't have any of the same effects on DS as your DH OP. DS became aggressive, foul mouthed and unreasonable. No soiling or drowsiness.

I believe things can affect people differently though.

Your poor son though!

Nandina · 31/10/2025 14:36

Hermyknee · 31/10/2025 14:29

I would also be concerned about a TIA.

That's a possibility. When he's feeling better, I would definitely push to discover if he really only drank 3 glasses or if he's understated it. It wouldn't be fair to make you worry about the other possibilities if it was really just alcohol.

worrisomeasset · 31/10/2025 14:41

Hermyknee · 31/10/2025 14:29

I would also be concerned about a TIA.

Some of the symptoms that OP mentions are very similar to those described by my DB when he had a TIA recently. I think that a 54 year old male is far more likely to have a TIA than to have his drink spiked.