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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

289 replies

Diel · 26/09/2016 18:36

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?

OP posts:
GruochMacAlpin · 26/09/2016 19:16

I have the opposite problem my Gp never believes me because it's so low. So we always have a conversation about the importance of being honest and I agree and repeat that I have one or two glasses of wine a month.

Personally I'm usually pretty shocked by the levels of drinking common on MN - no one I know drinks that much in RL.

Sallystyle · 26/09/2016 19:17

I admit the truth because I am not a big drinker.

However, I used to lie about how much I used to smoke.

When I have to write down people's units and smokes I always think that 99% of them are lying and so do the drs.

brasty · 26/09/2016 19:19

No I am always honest, but then I am under 14 units a week. I hate that I have read some GPs double what they are told.
I suspect only people who drink a lot of alcohol lie.

Pseudonym99 · 26/09/2016 19:20

None of the NHS's business how much I drink. So I wouldn't lie, I would refuse to answer the question.

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 26/09/2016 19:22

I am loving the outrage on here at the idea of lying to your doctor Grin
I don't know how many people are truly honest with their doctors, but I don't think it is many. I work in an A&E department and I tend to triple the alcohol figures!

Mycraneisfixed · 26/09/2016 19:24

I lie.

TequilaBlockingBird · 26/09/2016 19:24

Lots of people lie about how much they drink. The amounts that people admit to drinking doesn't tie back to the amount of alcohol that is bought, by a HUGE amount.

Hulababy · 26/09/2016 19:24

What's the point in lying to your GP?

Presumably to avoid this: GP looked horrified and told me I absolutely must stop this.

brasty · 26/09/2016 19:24

Triple!! But what about those of us who tell the truth? I only drink when I am out with friends and that tends to be no more than once a week. The maximum I ever drink is 2 large glasses of wine. So that is the maximum I have in a week. Any more than that in 1 night, and I throw up. I seem very sensitive to drinking too much. And that is more than I used to be able to drink.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 26/09/2016 19:27

Triple??! Surely people wouldn't exaggerate that much?

WholeL0ttaRosie · 26/09/2016 19:28

I'm teetotal so if I tell my GP this will they assume I am lying? Confused

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 26/09/2016 19:30

No you'll be fine Rosie- anything x 0 is still 0!

ToadsforJustice · 26/09/2016 19:31

My DH always replies - "a small sherry at Christmas". Liar. Grin

Cellardoor23 · 26/09/2016 19:32

I would find it difficult to describe what my drinking habits were. Sometimes I won't drink for a few months and other times I have gone out and drank about 5/6 pints of lager. I don't know what that is. A binge drinker? Moderate drinker? No idea.

Optimist3 · 26/09/2016 19:33

3 bottles is 27 units a week. Which is about double the recommended level

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 26/09/2016 19:34

Oh you would be surprised! People will lie through their teeth. To be fair though, the alcohol intake of a patient isn't always very important to me. Acute medicine and general practice are very different kettles of fish. So if it is important I just keep in mind that the actual figure may be wildly different to the one they have told me.

Optimist3 · 26/09/2016 19:35

I don't lie as I have no need to lie but I can see that it's easier for heavy drinkers to lie then be honest.

LokisUnderpants · 26/09/2016 19:35

I don't drink so always tell the truth. Now getting them to believe me....

MrHannahSnell · 26/09/2016 19:35

When I worked for an insurance company, we always used to double the amount we were told and work on that.

Threebedsemii · 26/09/2016 19:37

"Today 19:33 Optimist3

3 bottles is 27 units a week. Which is about double the recommended level"

But.... Who cares? It's just a recommendation. Unless you're there for alcohol related issues. I mean they can give you te stern look but the "over the recommended amount" line is just completely out of touch with reality. Who thinks of recommended amounts when you know, living their lives?

TowerRavenSeven · 26/09/2016 19:38

I would think people that do like to drink do minimize it. But three bottles a week - really? I mean it's a fair amount but my mil drinks three bottles a day! She starts at 3 or 4 pm then quits about 12:00 pm. Now that's a lot!

brasty · 26/09/2016 19:39

My DP drinks about 10 units a year. He doesn't like alcohol, but will sometimes have an Irish coffee after a meal out.
Reading that insurance companies double it, I now think I should halve the amount I tell professionals I drink to 2-3 units a week. Instead I currently tell the truth.
Surely it is only heavy drinkers who lie?

TowerRavenSeven · 26/09/2016 19:40

Oops sorry that should be 12 am!

crikey81 · 26/09/2016 19:41

I've never been asked how much I drink by a doctor.

Do they perhaps pick up on something and only ask those who feel the need to lie about it?

RebootYourEngine · 26/09/2016 19:43

I might drink once every 6 months. Have maybe 4 or 5 drinks.

When i say this to my GP they think that i lie but i really dont. I never have drink in the house, i dont go out anywhere to drink and i am a single mum so wouldnt feel comfortable drinking when ds is in the house.