When a doctor asks how much you drink, what do you say?

[Sheamie]

You know the usual questions when you’re at a medical appointment- do you smoke/if yes, how heavily, do you drink/if so to what extent etc.

If you drink alcohol, how do you answer, and what does your drinking pattern actually look like?

I got asked this recently and I said I don't really maybe once a year which is the truth. The Dr gave me the side eye and said I'll put down once a week then. I must have the look of a lush because he really wasn't buying what I was telling him. The more I protested the more I ended up sounding like an alcoholic in denial so I just gave up in the end.

I always tell the truth. Never at home. Only when I go out. But when I do drink I drink loads.

Most of these comments apply the reasoning as to why GPs/Doctors double what units their patients claim to consume. I personally don’t see the point in lying about it. Surely, -from a medical standpoint in particular- it’s better for your physical health to just be honest.

I lie too!!!!! I binge drink every weekend!!!! Just cause I like to. I’d never tell my doctor the truth he’d have kittens 😮

Why lie? It’s a question asked to assess your health needs. If you don’t want to face how much you drink, I guess you know you drink too much! If you believe you don’t drink too much, why lie?

It’s your health. Your doctor has a duty of care, beyond that s/he doesn’t give a shit 🤷‍♀️🙄

Tell them the truth or they can't help you

So apparently GPs factor in people lying and will often take answers with a pinch of salt. But my dad was honest about his 2 pints every night thing (he was probably autistic and had ocd diagnosed and couldn’t lie) and I think his GP genuinely though he was lying.

Well how much do you drink Doctor?
I'll tell you if you tell me.

Best to tell the truth if your health is involved.

About half a glass of wine a month. Actually it's usually less than that.

A 440ml can of Draft Guinness every night.

When I used to drink, it would be about six to eight units a week. They used to say 'Ok, I'll put 14 on the form'. Used to drive me nuts.

They were still doing it when I was drinking about four units a month.

Now I don't drink alcohol except for the odd special occasion. I don't think they dare write anything more than 0 now 😂

I lie and grossly under estimate.
nothing bad has happened
i’m 75

The truth... none!.
Don't like it.

Weirdly, when I used to drink 'normally' (around the 14 units a week mark) I used to lie and claim I'd drink about one bottle per week. When I was drinking way too much - after passing that point of drinking too much, but not dramatically too much - I used to be brutally honest. Now that I don't drink the answer is easy, but I'd like to think I would be honest if I did.

Yes yes but why on earth do you need to know our answers though?

I have two SoCo and lemonades every single night, sometimes three and they are large shots. Probably over the recommended number of units a week but at least I never binge. I wouldn't tell my GP that though!

I reply with the truth. Too much. I know we drink a lot. It Varys to about the recommended maximum to well over. It’s half term this week so we are drinking every evening.

Next week we will go back to just weekends again.

Too much! I tell the truth.

The truth, hardly any at all.
One, maybe two drinks on a special occasion (and that's only if I'm not driving).
In fact I can't actually remember the last time I had a drink!

I say rarely as I only really drink on special occasions such as holidays, maybe Christmas, weddings etc

A few years ago I was asked this , and truthfully replied that I didn’t drink in the week , but probably drank 3 or 4 glasses of wine during the weekend.
” So you’re a binge drinker then “ !
He was adamant this was binge drinking and said I’d be better off spreading that amount out through the week, rather than just the weekend.

The truth, 8 units a month maximum. If you can't tell the truth then you have an issue.