16 May 2025
Spiking doesn’t always look criminal, sometimes it sounds like “just one more”
Drink spiking is widely misunderstood. The dominant image, of a stranger clandestinely slipping Rohypnol into a drink at a bar, captures only a small part of the problem. While this scenario does occur, it is not the most prevalent form of spiking. More often, it involves alcohol, not illicit drugs, and it’s frequently carried out by someone the victim knows. A more common, yet largely overlooked, form of spiking is what can be described as "socially induced", an act that is often normalised in drinking culture.
Spiking occurs any time a person’s drink or drinking experience is tampered with without their consent. This might involve drugging, but more commonly, it involves coercing someone into drinking more alcohol than they intended—often in full view of others. This form of social coercion overrides consent and autonomy, turning peer pressure into a tool of violation. Encouraging someone to keep drinking after they’ve clearly declined is a breach of their boundaries, regardless of the intent.
Many of us have likely said, “just one more” to a friend or pressured a teammate during post-game celebrations. This behaviour may seem harmless, even friendly, but its normalisation is what makes it so insidious. According to New Zealand Police, alcohol is the most common substance involved in drink spiking. Its legality and cultural acceptance mask its potential for harm, especially when used to push someone beyond their limits.
Official reports of spiking in New Zealand remain low, yet survey data shows it is widespread. One in five people report having been spiked, most of whom did not report it. Many blamed themselves or didn’t recognise their experience as spiking, particularly when the method involved alcohol and social pressure rather than clandestine drugging. But anytime someone is made more intoxicated than they intended, especially when done deliberately, the term “spiking” applies. This can happen in a range of social settings: clubs, work events, house parties, or casual get-togethers. The motivation isn’t always sexual; sometimes, it’s about control or power. Still, this form of coercion often facilitates sexual harm, by design or by effect.
Limiting our understanding of drink spiking to rare, criminal cases involving drugs and strangers obscures the much more prevalent, socially accepted forms. This narrow definition inadvertently protects perpetrators, especially when their actions align with dominant social norms. When coercion is common, it becomes harder to identify as harmful. The normalisation of socially induced spiking silences victims, discourages bystander intervention, and fuels victim-blaming narratives that frame the harm as “just drinking too much.”
To reduce harm, we must widen the scope of our conversations around drink spiking. Recognising the role that alcohol and coercive social dynamics play is crucial. This requires taking collective responsibility, acknowledging that we all, at times, participate in upholding harmful norms. Because people trust those closest to them, it's within these intimate social groups that real cultural change can begin.
Cultural shifts require both awareness and action. We must:
Broaden our definition of spiking to include socially induced intoxication, especially when driven by peer pressure.
Acknowledge alcohol as the leading contributor to spiking-related harm.
Hold ourselves and our peers accountable by modelling consent, respecting boundaries, and checking in when someone says they’ve had enough.
This also means intervening when something doesn’t feel right, listening when someone shares an uncomfortable experience, and validating their boundaries. Unless we recognise these behaviours for what they truly are, coercive and harmful, we cannot begin to prevent them.
If you are in the Wellington hospitality industry and are interested in creating a safer venue for your patrons—contact us for free training as part of the Safer Venues initiative.
Information and support for anyone affected by sexual harm is available through the following services in Aotearoa:
Wellington Rape Crisis – Free support for anyone affected by sexual violence. Call 04 801 8973 or visit wellingtonrapecrisis.org.nz
WellStop – Crisis support and counselling for people affected by sexual harm. Call 0800 935 5786 or visit wellstop.org.nz
HELP Auckland – Crisis support and counselling for survivors of sexual abuse. Call 0800 623 1700 or visit helpauckland.org.nz
Safe to Talk / Kōrero Mai Ka Ora – 24/7 national sexual harm helpline. Call 0800 044 334, text 4334, or visit safetotalk.nz
RespectEd Aotearoa – Prevention education and advice.
References:
Alcohol and Drug Foundation. (n.d.). What is drink spiking? Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://adf.org.au/insights/what-is-drink-spiking/
New Zealand Police. (n.d.). Alcohol: Stay safe when going out. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://www.police.govt.nz/advice/drugs-and-alcohol/alcohol-stay-safe-when-going-out
Winstock, A. R., Barratt, M. J., Maier, L. J., Ferris, J. A., & Davies, E. L. (2022). Global Drug Survey (GDS) 2022 Key Findings Report. Global Drug Survey. Retrieved from https://www.globaldrugsurvey.com/gds-2022/