The UK’s Foreign Office has released a warning to people travelling abroad this summer, with travellers being told to be careful when drinking alcohol.
The UK Government has said drink spiking and methanol poisoning are a “real and growing threat”.
Spiking is when someone puts something like drugs or other harmful substances into your drink without you knowing to make you black out or lose control.
Methanol poisoning can happen when methanol is mixed with real alcohol, like spirit-based drinks and cocktails.
Symptoms of spiking and methanol poisoning
Early symptoms of methanol poisoning seem like a bad hangover, with vomiting, drowsiness, poor judgment, and loss of balance being the main warning signs.
After 12 to 48 hours, if you are feeling abdominal pain, have vertigo, are hyperventilating, feel breathless or have blurred vision, you should seek urgent medical attention.
Vision issues are a “distinctive red flag” and are usually a sign that you have methanol poisoning.
Spiking symptoms usually include feeling more drunk than you should, drowsy or confused.
Some people might experience hallucinations, paranoia, and memory blackouts.
How to reduce the risk of spiking and methanol poisoning
There are ways you can reduce the risk of methanol poisoning, such as avoiding free shots and cocktails, unlabelled bottles, and cheap or discounted drinks claiming to be brand-name alcohol.
You can opt for branded beers, ciders, wines, and premixed cocktails in sealed bottles and cans.
You should also buy from licensed places such as licenced stores, bars, clubs, restaurants, and hotels.
To avoid someone spiking your drink, you should keep an eye on your drink and never leave it unattended.
Do not accept drinks from strangers, and if your drink smells or tastes strange, do not drink it.
Alcohol can often hit harder abroad, as measures can be bigger and the heat can make you dehydrated, so it is important to keep drinking water.
Do you know how to spot the symptoms of spiking and methanol poisoning? Let us know in the comments below.
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