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?

I don't know how people function normally drinking some of the amounts discussed here can only imagine they have forgotten what normal feels like

I've had long periods where I drink nothing at all and long periods where I drink a few glasses of wine a night. Don't feel any different TBH. We're all different.

I don't lie but I wouldn't know what to put if I had to put a unit figure down. If asked I would say that I drink probably once a month - at family doos, or for a meal out. The majority of time I would drink far more than was sensible at those occasions but I never drink at home.

I would assume though that most people would fudge an answer. In part because they wouldn't have a clue, their habits are erratic or would think that it sounds a lot and would avoid the lecture. Like pp though I've had moments when midwives etc. looked at me like I was lying when I talked about my alcohol consumption. In truth though, OH and I were teetotal while he was training for an event and then we went in to trying for a baby, so had very minimal amounts. Follow that with pregnancy, breastfeeding, child that doesn't sleep, then repeat with a second child, and it's not hard to see how over the last 5 years my drinking is now below average. I don't think lying automatically means that you definitely have a drink problem.

I don't know how people function normally drinking some of the amounts discussed here can only imagine they have forgotten what normal feels like

Perfectly well, thanks! I might have forgot what normal feels like, but only because I know what awesome feels like

I wouldn't be happy if my doctor assumed I wasn't truthful. I am quite capable of being truthful. Some people just don't drink much. I've gone on holiday for two weeks all inclusive and had 2 alcoholic drinks the entire time I was there. If I drink on a night out I binge and don't have an off switch, I then have 2 day hangovers so I just don't do it.

I tend to believe what people tell me and document it as gospel truth unless there is a history to the contrary eg. alcohol related injuries presenting to A&E or a more extensive history from someone such as a psychiatrist or gastroenterologist who has had more time to probe.

If it is just 'data gathering' then there is no clinical implication for the patient. If it is a question which comes up trying to work out a diagnosis then on the patient's own head be it.

If people can't even take personal responsibility for giving truthful answers to a HCPs questions when they seek help then they are just wasting everybody's time. They may end up having unnecessary anxiety-inducing investigations but in the absence of a polygraph so be it.

My doctor never questioned me on my drinking, right up until I went in to ask for help to quit.

I was a daily (and morning) drinker, then became a phenomenal binge drinker. I could be completely abstinent for months, then go on a bender. My last binge is something I never let myself forget: it was a week long, and I drank close to 10 litres of vodka and was still mostly functioning, which give you an idea about my alcohol tolerance at the time. An horrendous cold turkey withdrawal followed, which nearly saw me hospitalised - I was lucky it didn't develop into full DTs.

I'm sober now, and have been for a while, but I never get questioned about my drinking by medical professionals, not even with vast amounts of documented drinking littering my medical records. Maybe it's because I'm open about being in recovery, I don't know, but I do find it odd that I'm never questioned. All they ask me about is smoking!

I always tell the truth, i don't drink. But because if people lying to doctors they very rarely believe me, like the time i had pancreatitis. Caused by gall stones but more commonly seen in alcoholics. I was persistantly asked over the course if an examination about alcohol consumption. In the end i told them my son was 12 weeks old and i was breastfeeding... that was when they believed me

Exhausted Pancreatitis is no laughing matter, you have my sympathy! Hope you made a speedy recovery.

Thank you Beauty it was 18 months ago now spent 2 weeks in hospital recovering. They put it as a level 2, was told level 3 is the worst. They still reminded me the best way to aid recovery was 6 months of no alcohol,clearly still didn't believe me haha

Several people have mentioned Pancreatitis.

Good luck getting sympathy or proper help because the doctors are ADAMENT that you are an alcoholic. Even if your liver etc is fine. It's really irritating. Proper Alcoholics don't generally die from Pancreatitis. Many things can cause it, alcohol is only one of them. exhausted, it's miserable when doctors don't believe you. As Ffion said, it's a real worry too, please look further than alcohol!.

I think some people are in denial about the effect alcohol may be having on their health and also mood, sleep, relationships and job when they are drinking well above the recommended levels.

Sure, I also find that moderate drinking makes no difference in how I feel compared with cutting out alcohol altogether. But some here are drinking a hell of a lot more and calling it moderate. It might not have an obvious health effect now (or not one that you are capable of noticing yourself) but it is likely to in years to come. It also makes me wonder how many people are drink driving the following morning.

Sorry to hear you weren't believed, Exhausted, and glad you made a full recovery.

I think some people are in denial about the effect alcohol may be having on their health and also mood, sleep, relationships and job when they are drinking well above the recommended levels.

Why do you assume that? Surely most adults are aware of their behavior and the affect it has on people. Why do you assume that simply because some people like a drink that they are somehow more ignorant or oblivious?

I think that to assume someone is in denial is very patronising. Maybe they just know themselves better than someone on the internet knows them.

Chicken- there is no evidence about what level of alcohol affects your health, mood relationship and sleep so how can people be in denial? Isn't it more that you just don't understand the purpose of the recommended levels?

I probably don't quite get to my 14 units in a week (and if I do it's because I've done it all in one day rather than spread out over the week!) but if I did then I would lie about it...I suppose it's because it's something commonly known for Drs to scold people over.

I've also seen my mum lie at a preop and say she "probably has a couple more units than the limit in a week" - the truth is she probably drinks nearly the whole weekly limit in one night.

It sounds a lot to me. I feel like I drink too much but I only have 2 or 3 drinks a night and usually a night off each week. So it probably works out around or just over the max recommended limit. People always think I am some sort of problem drinker because I drink vodka but I measure my drinks so each has one 25ml shot. Plus I add quite a bit of mixer so I get through the drinks slower. All the people I know who definitely drink too much drink wine every night. It's so acceptable now it's almost like people don't view it is proper alcohol or something.

I'm sure that many people lie but equally many tell the truth so I really hope GPs don't multiply by three or whatever some people are suggesting they do.
I probably drink less than 14 units a week but I don't admit that I have small glass of wine nearly every night because I think that people will assume I drink more and I could do without an unnecessary lecture. I never binge drink and when I go out I don't usually drink at all as it doesn't seem worth getting a taxi just so I can have one glass of wine.

I don't think 3 bottles across a whole week is a lot - a bottle only holds 4 glasses, so that's 12 glasses a week

A bottle is 6 standard 125ml glasses.
3 Bottles is 18 glasses.
Most red wines now are about 7 to 9 units a bottle.

So 3 bottles a week could be 27 units

I had to go for a blood test last week and the nurse asked me how much I drank (no idea why, she said she had to - it was a rick box in the form). I told her the truth - three bottles of wine a week. I was then lectured for ten minutes.

*TheFitFatty Why do you assume that? Surely most adults are aware of their behavior and the affect it has on people. Why do you assume that simply because some people like a drink that they are somehow more ignorant or oblivious?

Er, Chicken said, "some people are in denial'. Your reply could be proven (with a magic wand) to be cast iron truth, and so could hers. Simultaneously.

Of bloody course some people are in denial about the effects of their drinking habits. Ignoring the observational evidence of those pesky alcoholics who can spend a good amount of time denying that their consumption is affecting them, it's just like everything else humans use. From dope smokers who insist it improves their reactions on the road, for example. Times were, when the evidence against smoking was less clear-cut (but still out there) when you could find asthmatic smokers who insisted that cigarettes improved their condition (there's a biological reason why it felt that cigarettes gave momentary relief, they weren't mad- bronchodilators, but emphasis is on momentary).

It's not magically different for alcohol.

I very rarely drink and my 0-1 unit a week always gets an strange response too!

Same here, Happiness - I don't drink, not for any reason other than I just haven't found an alcoholic beverage that I can stand the taste of. I always feel like I have to justify myself when I say I drink 0 units a week. I've found no medical professionals ask about my eating habits, despite my being overweight, due to a tendency to overeat and comfort eat - surely that's a health issue. But no - they get the 'non drinker' and 'non smoker' tick boxes and don't worry about the rest.

Not that I want to be told off by a medical practitioner... But it would probably be good for me!

I'm the same re drinking, just don't get the appeal! It's almost like they don't believe that you could not drink!

A bottle is 6 standard 125ml glasses.
3 Bottles is 18 glasses.

Very few places sell wine in 125ml measures though you can ask for it. No one pours themselves 125ml measures of wine at home.

Sloshes or glugs are home measures.