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 only drink the equivalent of a bottle of wine a month really, so I have no reason to lie. Anti-depressants completely destroyed my tolerance levels unfortunately.

I think people lie if they're worried about being judged or told off. Otherwise, if you weren't ashamed or worried about the reaction, why on earth would you need to lie to your doctor?

I always tell the truth because I drink less than 14 units a week anyway but I've always assumed that the doctor thinks I'm lying about it. Which is very annoying. What's the point in being sensible if no one believes you?

In RL no one I know drinks this little apart from my dm

You don't know anyone else who doesn't drink at least three bottles of wine every week? Good grief.

It sounds an awful lot to me. I'm near enough tee-total during mundane, normal weeks but I enjoy a good few drinks on a special occasion.

I worry about dh sometimes because he has a long history of alcoholism in his family and he enjoys a drink in the evenings a lot. I kind of keep my eye on him and sometimes I casually suggest he's had a drink a bit often lately and he pulls it right back. But even he (with my concern) doesn't drink a whole bottle of wine three times a week.

Some people go out a lot though. We often have leisurely boozy pub lunches at the weekend then one night out in the week after work- 3 bottles easily!

All GP,s assume that we always underestimate how much we drink. My DH recently was asked the same question by his GP. And answered honestly and told her so. It had been a particularly celebration heavy couple of weeks. GP joked that as a profession they are amongst the biggest abusers of alcohol themselves. She said that she thinks nothing of going home and opening a bottle of wine and getting through two per night with her partner. She said all he needed to do was have at least two consecutive alcohol free days per week.

In RL no one I know drinks this little apart from my dm

Dh and I barely drink. No religious or specific reason, just don't like it much. Plenty of people don't. Each to their own.

Surely everyone is lying about not lying to their doctor?

It's like lying to the dentist about flossing Everyone does it.

The trouble with internet threads like this is people who's behaviour is actually outside of the normal, or even downright irresponsible or dangerous, can get together, falsely reassure each other that its ok, put down people with other opinions, and reaffirm their own skewed logic. Over use of alcohol has horrible consequences, Common, and horrible consequences, for the problem drinker themselves ( who have always found a little band of peers to normalise their behaviour) to their friends and families, to the NHS and to the general public. Not rare or unusual consequences, but common consequences that happen round the country every day.

This country clearly has a problem with drink if so many GPs assume their patients lie. Heavy drinking has the danger of being normalised, which probably has a lot to do with the large number of overweight people.

Wine and beer is pretty calorific, in addition to the health problems that comes with heaving drinking.

I'm sure it wasn't your intention lemonzest and threebed but your posts to longlost are rather reminiscent of mean 6th form girls getting together to sneer at the girl who studies hard and doesn't drink.

3 bottles of wine isn't excessive though. Not in our circle of friends whose kids are teens and beyond.

I guess people gravitate to like minded people and to me having a glass of wine a few times a week and a chat is one of life's pleasures.

Hate a drunk though. Cannot imagine anyone drinking until they vomit or pass out.

When I was nursing the social club was full of doctors drinking to excess, nurses too.

You just need to know your limits. For some that's none and for others it's regular drinking.

Personal choice.

I don't lie to my GP about anything. It is childish and silly to do so. I agree with some others who mention the tendency to create an echo chamber to justify behaviour that deep down they are uncomfortable with.

There are some enormous figures mentioned for alcohol consumption on this thread - and I don't think those people are having a 'more fun' life than the rest of us. Frankly, needing nearly a bottle of wine every night of the week or binging outrageously on a regular basis sounds pretty damn boring and unfulfilling to me.

And sneering at previous posters who made these points is pretty nasty and childish.

I agree it's neither more or less fun as it's a personal choice. Same as hobbies and holidays.

Sneering at any posters honest opinions is nasty. Totally agree.

Not sure I agree with you that lying to your GP is childish and silly though.
Adults may choose to disclose information about their lives or may not. A GP isn't a God. It's quite legitimate to refuse to share information with another adult, even a GP if the question is intrusive or irrelevant.

I watched a friend die of liver failure in her forties. She was a binge drinker. Tends to put you off booze and roll your eyes at heavy drinkers in denial.
I've always been able to take or leave booze and find drunks rather boring (but realize they think it makes them sparkling and witty) but I count myself lucky that I genuinely aren't bothered about it .

Statement was "anyone with any intelligence, common sense, or sense of responsibility" lives their life counting units.

Which makes me and all my friends and family are stupid reprobates.

Sorry for being obnoxious, I'm drunk.

Yorkie I fully agree that your doctor isn't God but in that case, one should say they prefer not to answer or don't see the relevance of the question etc. To fib like a naughty child caught with its hand in the biscuit tin is, in my view, silly and could indeed be counterproductive.

Yy my friend lies to her GP, her psych, her therapist, all of them. She's so out of it by 11am every day that she just goes back to bed. She tops up throughout the day but tells them all she just has one or two a day to help cope with her bpd and tells all her friends that is the advice she was given by her medical team. So she's pretty much drinking herself to death but lying about it. Most of the rest of us are alarmingly sober as a result... so the GP probably assumes we are lying.

Yes I sgree sycamore refusing to answer the question is the sensible option.

God that's so sad ponyificate how can anyone drink at 11am? What can you do though. I guess nothing until she wants to change.

Yorkie I think often though, what may be seen as irrelevant during the consultation could be indirectly relevant - someone coming with symptoms of gastritis etc who may not realise that it may well be due to their alcohol consumption.

I really don't drink these days, if I'm on a rare night out I'll kick the arse out of it, but otherwise I prefer to be able to drive late at night if needed / not be hungover when I'm getting clambered on in the morning by all the kids.

Bloody hell I'm verbose when I'm tired

i find it really suprising that so many people lie to their doctors about their drinking. The doctors are there to help them and why bother visiting them if you are going to lie to them. They are asking for a reason. I find it a bit childish to lie about it.

I suspect a lot of Doctors can often spot heavy drinkers just as dentists can easily spot people who lie about flossing.

Anyway this thread has reminded me that I need to go and polish my halo as I am both Teatotal AND I floss every single day. 😇👼🏼😇

Well, when I say tea total I might have the occasional glass....🍷🍾

Yes 3 bottles of wine a week is excessive.

I generally divide by two. The Doctor doubles my answer. Accurate medical history and everyone's happy.

I think 3 bottles of wine a week is an enormous amount. I'll share a bottle of wine with DH 2 or 3 times a week but I can't imagine drinking a whole one each time. On the odd occasion I've had a full bottle to myself I've felt terrible.