AIBU To assume people tell fibs to their Dr about how much they drink?

[Diel]

I went to see my GP recently and he asked how much alcohol I drink, I was about to give my usual 14 units answer but decided to tell the truth and say about 3 bottles of wine a week. GP looked horrified and told me I absolutely must stop this. This isn't news to me as I know it's more that I should drink but he then asked if it's because I can't sleep, um, no, it's because I love wine. Anyhow, surely I'm not alone? Or do people just not admit to this vice?

[DerekSprechenZeDick]

If I'm asked I'll admit it. I'm not ashamed of my rum love

[Ragwort]

I don't admit how much I drink - and it's probably more than you !! I usually say a bit more than the recommended 14 units ............. but that's not really the truth; must admit my Doctor hasn't ever said anything.

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

I think people downplay things they know they're going to be judged on.

I don't lie about drinking because I rarely drink, but I might over exaggerate the amount of exercise i do sometimes!

[myownprivateidaho]

No most people don't drink too much and then lie about it. And although you might find many people that do, that's because there are a lot of problem drinkers. OP, you need to cut back.

[Gothgirl78]

3 bottles is nowt but you'll get lots of saintly souls telling you it's horrific. Most people I know drink that much or more .

[redskytonight]

I imagine that people only lie if they feel ashamed/worried about telling the truth.

[HellsBellsnBucketsofBlood]

Apparently a lot of gps double whatever you tell them...so maybe he thinks you're one hell of a drunkard

I tell the truth (which is easy because I'be been teetotal for years), but I think most people just don't admit to amounts anyway. Or don't realise (like my dad who 'hardly drinks' but easily puts away a bottle of wine on his own)

[Selfimproved]

I've had phases where I've drunk that or more. Most people I know are the same. I tell my doctor I drink moderately.

[WindPowerRanger]

No point lying to your doctor.

[user1472640125]

I would say 90% of people of asked this question lie. I don't drink throughout the week but could quite happily sink two bottles of wine on a Saturday night. Its what I look forward to at the end of the working week. Id be classed as a binge drinker which I far worse than drinking everyday apparently. I've been asked by my gp before now and I've told the truth. I got the whole speech about how bad it was for me etc, but do you know what, its my end of week treat and I look forward to it. I eat healthily, drink water constantly, take vitamin tablets etc so I will do what I like on my treat night. Life is too bloody short x

[Ragwort]

But how do you know myown what 'most' people own up to drinking? I'm not dicussing the rights and wrongs of how much people drink but like Goth - most people I know do drink more than the recommended 14 units a week.

Hells - my Dad says exactly the same .

[HubrisComicGhoul]

I drink on average a bottle of wine a month, so I don't lie to the dr about it.

However, while I was growing up my mum would drink at least a bottle of wine every night and she's still going strong (and still drinking that much) about 30 years later, so I don't consider 3 bottles of wine a week to be excessive. If you do want to cut down though, consider watering down your wine with soda water or lemonade, it tends to last longer that way!

[Mrsemcgregor]

3 bottles is only 2/3 glasses a day. It's not that horrific!

[witsender]

I don't lie. But I rarely drink. What is the point in lying to a doctor?!

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I tend to say I'm a 'moderate' drinker. Which could mean anything!. At the moment I'm drinking more than 3 bottles a week; I'm not drinking in October which will then mean I drink less afterwards for a couple of months. My pattern of drinking isn't static, so I think 'moderate' covers it in general.

[Sparklesilverglitter]

I drink about 2 bottles a week, and I just tell them so. I love wine and I'm not ashamed to admit it.
My diet is good, exercise also good and I don't smoke so wine is my little pleasure and I am keeping it!

I've not long had my DD and the best part of not being pregnant any more is the wine 🍷

[Juanbablo]

I rarely drink so I'm honest but I'm sure many people lie to avoid a lecture. I'm fat because I eat too much sugar though so I'm hardly a paragon of virtue!

[froubylou]

I used to lie.

My dp definitely lies.

I don't anymore as I have cut down an awful lot. swapped to g and ts and have 1 or 2 3 or 4 nights a week.

The recommended units were apparently just a figure plucked out of the air.

Do you feel comfortable with the amount you drink? I got to the point where I wasn't (and it was making me fat) so reduced drastically.

[IsItMeOr]

What's the point in lying to your GP?

[FlyingElbows]

Well as long as you take vitamin tablets eh?!!! Fucking Nora. An alkie's not an alkie as long as it's naice wine. That's what my mother thought. Fucking full of winebottles her kitchen was when we got in after she'd set herself on fire and been taken away to intensive care. But, you know, what's half a dozen bottles of wine if it's not an after dinner drink!

[Eatthecake]

If you feel you have to lie about it to a doctor, surely you have a problem. Also a doctor can't help you if you lie

I drink 2 bottles of wine and 2 vodka & tonic with work on a Friday and I say so, it is my 1 pleasure and I very much enjoy It

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I'm surprised posters are asking why people lie to their doctor. To avoid the lecture.

[TheCommunalRibena]

I've heard that when a GP asks what a person drinks, they double it to get the more genuine answer.

I've never been honest about how much I drink.

[ImperialBlether]

If you drink more than 3 bottles a week, though, it might be normal, but it's not moderate. I would say that moderate means about 15 units a week or less.