Cases of suspected spiking at the emergency department - toxicology, phenomenology and psychological sequalae

Cases of suspected spiking at the emergency department - toxicology, phenomenology and psychological sequalae - Spiking @ ED

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00033458

Enrollment

167

Registered

2024-01-30

Start date

2024-02-27

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-08-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

spiking

Interventions

Group 1: Adults of all genders who present to a Berlin emergency department with suspected spiking receive toxicological testing (T0) and are interviewed and questioned 3-7 days after the event (T1),

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Presumed spiking occurred = 12 hours before presentation at emergency department

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: none

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. toxicological diagnostics to investigate suspected spiking (blood and urine tests for GHB/GBL, benzodiazepines, opiates, cannabinoids, (meth-)amphetamine, MDMA, ketamine, cocaine, various research chemicals, medication, as well as a history of substance use around the time of the spiking (suspected) case / period of 12 hours before laboratory diagnostics; T0) 2. blood alcohol level = 12 h after presumed spiking (T0) 3. the difference between the calculated blood alcohol level (based on the reported comsumption (in g alcohol) and the time elapsed since consumption) and the measured blood alcohol level = 12 h after presumed spiking T0) 4. number of identified substances (method identical to 1; T0)	—

Measure

Time frame

1. toxicological diagnostics to investigate suspected spiking (blood and urine tests for GHB/GBL, benzodiazepines, opiates, cannabinoids, (meth-)amphetamine, MDMA, ketamine, cocaine, various research chemicals, medication, as well as a history of substance use around the time of the spiking (suspected) case / period of 12 hours before laboratory diagnostics; T0) 2. blood alcohol level = 12 h after presumed spiking (T0) 3. the difference between the calculated blood alcohol level (based on the reported comsumption (in g alcohol) and the time elapsed since consumption) and the measured blood alcohol level = 12 h after presumed spiking T0) 4. number of identified substances (method identical to 1; T0)

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 (Kroenke et al., 2001) and anxiety symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener - 7 (Löwe et al., 2008) immediately after the event (T1) 2. Depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 (Kroenke et al., 2001), anxiety symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener - 7 (Löwe et al., 2008) and stress-associated symptoms using the Impact of Event Scale-revised version (Maercker & Schützwohl, 1998) after 4 weeks (T2) 3. Identical to no. 2 after 6 months (T3) 4. Symptoms reported by participants (questionnaire T1) and symptoms detailed in the clinical notes of the emergency department visit (T0) 5. Short, narrative interview on the events surrounding the suspected spiking event (T1) 6. Questionnaire on substance use behavior before the event (at T1, 3-7 d after the event), and at 4 weeks (T2) and 6 months (T3) after the event 7. Questionnaire on assessment and wishes regarding aftercare (T3)	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 (Kroenke et al., 2001) and anxiety symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener - 7 (Löwe et al., 2008) immediately after the event (T1) 2. Depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 (Kroenke et al., 2001), anxiety symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener - 7 (Löwe et al., 2008) and stress-associated symptoms using the Impact of Event Scale-revised version (Maercker & Schützwohl, 1998) after 4 weeks (T2) 3. Identical to no. 2 after 6 months (T3) 4. Symptoms reported by participants (questionnaire T1) and symptoms detailed in the clinical notes of the emergency department visit (T0) 5. Short, narrative interview on the events surrounding the suspected spiking event (T1) 6. Questionnaire on substance use behavior before the event (at T1, 3-7 d after the event), and at 4 weeks (T2) and 6 months (T3) after the event 7. Questionnaire on assessment and wishes regarding aftercare (T3)

—

Countries

Germany

Contacts

Public ContactTwyla Michnevich

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

twyla.michnevich@charite.de+49 30 450 617297

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Aug 9, 2026