Festivals are meant to be about enjoying the music, spending time with friends and making memories. But sometimes things do not go to plan. If you have taken drugs and start feeling unwell, it can be frightening, especially when you are surrounded by thousands of people and are unsure what is happening.
First, do not panic, and do not feel that you have to deal with it alone. The most important thing is to take your symptoms seriously and get help when you need it. Festival medical teams are there to protect your health, not to judge you.
Recognising When Something Is Wrong
Drugs can affect people differently, and it is not always possible to predict how you will react. The effects may depend on what you have taken, how much you have taken, whether other substances are involved and your general health.
You might experience anxiety, dizziness, nausea, a racing heartbeat or a feeling that everything is becoming overwhelming. Even if you think the symptoms are mild, stop what you are doing and find a safe place away from crowds, speakers and other sources of stress.
However, certain symptoms require immediate emergency assistance. These include difficulty breathing, chest pain, collapse, a seizure, severe confusion, extreme agitation or feeling dangerously hot. A person who is unconscious or difficult to wake also needs urgent help.
Do not assume someone is simply sleeping off the effects. Serious drug-related emergencies can develop quickly.
What to Do If You Feel Unwell
If you are conscious and able to move safely, take the following steps.
1. Tell someone you trust. Find a friend, festival steward or member of the welfare team. Explain that you have taken something and are feeling unwell. If you are alone, approach staff rather than trying to manage everything yourself.
2. Get medical advice promptly. Head to the festival medical tent if symptoms are mild and you can safely reach it. If you have severe symptoms, ask someone to call 999 immediately and follow the call handler’s instructions.
3. Move away from the crowd. If it is safe to do so, move to a quieter, cooler area with assistance. Do not wander off alone, particularly if you feel dizzy, confused or unsteady.
4. Avoid taking anything else. Do not use more drugs or alcohol to try to change how you feel. Do not take someone else’s medication or attempt to counteract the effects with another substance.
5. Be honest with medical staff. Tell them what you believe you have taken, approximately when you took it and whether you have consumed alcohol or anything else. If you do not know what the substance was, say so. This information can help them assess and treat you.
What If a Friend Has Taken Drugs?
Seeing a friend become unwell can be frightening, but staying calm and getting professional help can make a real difference.
If they are seriously unwell, call 999 immediately. Stay with them if it is safe, and tell staff what you know about what they have taken. Do not leave them alone to find help if someone else can make the call.
If the person is unconscious but breathing normally, place them in the recovery position if you can do so safely, and monitor their breathing. If they are not breathing normally, call 999 and follow the call handler’s instructions, including starting CPR if advised. Do not give an unconscious person food, drink or medication, and never try to make them vomit.
If they are overheating, confused or behaving unusually, treat the situation seriously. Do not force them to drink large quantities of water. Some drugs can disrupt the body’s fluid balance, and excessive water intake can itself be dangerous.
Above all, do not let embarrassment or fear of getting into trouble delay medical assistance.
Why Getting Help Matters
Drug-related emergencies are not rare enough to dismiss as something that only happens to other people. With over 50% of festival-goers admitting to using drugs, these figures underline why warning signs should never be ignored.
You do not need to know exactly what is wrong before asking for help. Medical professionals can assess your symptoms and decide what care is needed.
If you have felt unwell after taking drugs, it is also worth reflecting on the experience once you have recovered. You may decide that you do not want to take them again, or you may recognise that substance use is becoming difficult to control. If ketamine or another drug has become a regular part of your life, seeking information about ketamine addiction treatment or speaking with a healthcare professional can be a useful starting point.
Looking After Yourself for the Rest of the Festival
After an episode of feeling unwell, do not rush straight back into the crowd. Follow medical advice and allow yourself time to recover. If staff recommend further assessment or hospital treatment, take that recommendation seriously.
Stay with someone you trust, avoid further substances and do not drive if you are impaired. If symptoms return, worsen or do not settle, seek medical attention again.
It is also sensible to plan ahead for future events. Know where the medical and welfare tents are, agree on a meeting point with friends and keep your phone charged.
You Deserve Help, Not Judgement
Taking drugs carries risks, but feeling unwell is not a reason to hide or suffer in silence. Whatever has happened, your safety comes first.
Festivals bring together people from all walks of life, and sometimes things go wrong. The right response is to look after yourself, support your friends and ask for professional help when necessary.
If you or someone nearby is seriously unwell, call 999. Do not wait for symptoms to pass, and never let fear of judgement stop you from getting help.
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