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?

Probably drink about 5 bottles a week, also often G&Ts or rum&coke at the weekend after sport. Tell the doctor I need to cut down and say about 3 bottles a week.
One of my doctors is very matter of fact, non-preachy and says I drink to sleep on account of ADHD. I also over-exercise and (if not drinking) take melatonin and codeine.

I tell the truth, because I don't have a problem that means I feel I should lie about it?

I tell the truth. If you have to lie you already know you have a problem.

I’m honest. Usually about a bottle of wine a week. Sometimes less.

Occasionally I go out with a group of friends and binge drink more units than is good for me.

lol edited to clarify it’s a bottle on wine lol. Not vodka!

Very little. I never drink at home.
Occasional pint or cocktail on a night out.
Glass of Baileys at Christmas.
Rarely touch wine, or Prosecco.

T total for over 15 years, this leads to questions of alcoholism.

I just don’t like drinking, haven’t missed it either. When I was pregnant the midwife kept saying I could be honest if I did drink. It’s so far fetched in the U.K. to be T total by choice I think.

I saw the nurse today for a post 50 check up and was asked about alcohol. I was never a big drinker (maybe binged a bottle of wine when I went out once a month or so) but since a health scare 2 years ago I don’t drink at all. Might have a sip of someone’s wine but that’s it.

I wouldn’t bother lying about my lifestyle. When asked about diet I was honest and said it’s all home cooked meals but then heavy on the junk snacking. It’s obvious I eat the wrong stuff as I need to lose weight.

Don't drink at all because of statins. I'm saving heaps of money being teetotal.

lol your junk snacking made me smile. I saw a GP recently in relation to my high blood pressure. I commented I wasn’t surprised really as I was a fat smoker.

GP told I was being very derogatory about myself. I really wasn’t though. I was just being factual!

I know! Fair play to those that don’t drink or rarely do… in real life everyone I know drinks and many too much… we’re all in ours 30s, professionals with kids… a fairly stressed demographic I guess.

I don't see the point in lying. Are people really that scared of "being told off" by a doctor?

Aren't you worried that you could be wasting their time with symptoms that are actually just symptoms of heavy drinking? Like raised heart rate etc

I hate this question! I went on an All Inclusive family holiday a few weeks ago and probably had about 5 drinks a day for the week we were there. In the 2 weeks I've been home I haven't had any alcohol at all so any answer I give is going to be pretty meaningless 😏

I say this as an ex heavy drinker who never lied about it

I tell the truth. It various but on an average week maybe 4 glasses of wine over 3 nights. On a week when I am out out, it’s more

Usually they don't even ask, but if they do I just say I don't think very much. I've never been pushed for a unit amount except when I first registered and that was when I was heavily pregnant.

If pushed for a unit amount I'd just say 10 units a week.

Probably two halves of shandy a year.

Don't really like alcohol.

But far better to be honest with them!

Absolutely. I drank more when I was younger and much less as I've got older .Always told the truth .It's important

Too much but I don't think I've ever been asked. Haven't been to a GP for years.

I tell the truth - about 25 units a week. They say that’s too much and to try to keep it under 14. I agree. Conversation then moves on.

I have fewer than 5 alcoholic a year so I usually just answer no to the 'do you drink' question, because if I say yes the follow up is 'how many units a week', which means I then have to say 'on the average week, 0', at which point they usually go back to the previous question and change it to a no.

I do tell the truth. To be honest if depends on what’s going on at the time - if I’m socialising a lot or on holiday then I can drink quite a lot.. 😉. Other times , such as now when I’m trying to shift some body mass for an upcoming beach holiday I don’t drink at all.

I find too many tee totallers are preachy and it winds me up. It’s a little like my being vegan - but I keep it mostly to myself !

I'm always honest, don't drink much now. Usually on my birthday/Christmas or a beer in the garden if it's nice or I just fancy one

Well done for telling truth- Liver function tests can be ordered for people whom they are concerned about.

Pointless lying- 🤥 no one else is affected but oneself in this situation.

Coffee is my weakness!

I have been asked about ''how many coffees do you have a day?''

5 which is probably 3 too many. {Definitely addicted to caffeine}

I struggle with this as I can happily not drink for months then I will go out one every other week and drink a couple of drinks or go mad and have like 12 shots and drinks