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Heavy Drinkers Lie to Doctors about Alcohol Use
November 20, 2008

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News Summary

A government-sponsored poll in the U.K. revealed that nearly 40 percent of people who drink excessively lie to their doctors about how much alcohol they consume, the BBC reported Nov.20.

The poll of nearly 2,000 people found that heavy drinkers often lie to their partners and family about how much they drink, and that men are more likely to lie than women. The poll further suggested that 19 percent of drinkers were dishonest with themselves about their daily level of alcohol consumption.

"It's important people talk honestly if they think they may be drinking too much or even if they're not sure," said a spokesperson for the national alcohol awareness campaign Know Your Limits. "If they are drinking at higher-risk levels, their [doctor] or practice nurse will be able to advise on the health risks."

The survey suggested that government statistics on alcohol use could be misleading, said Don Shenker, CEO of the prevention group Alcohol Concern, adding that the survey "shows that the problem is far bigger than existing evidence suggests."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:
(Comments now appear first to last)

Posted by DaveJ on 20 Nov 08 07:33 PM EST
This is a surprise? Back in 1984 I lied to the anesthesiologist about my drinking before sugery. Long story short, I did not go under like they thought I would and after they got me down far enough to cut I had a real hard time coming out of it. I tell that story to every client I work with and so far they all can relate to lying to their doctor (along with everyone else) about how much they drink.

Posted by Dorothy Tompkins on 21 Nov 08 08:08 AM EST
Often alcoholics do not KNOW how much they drink>

Posted by Linda in Hinsdale, NH on 21 Nov 08 08:58 AM EST
Another study of the obvious.

Posted by Donald B Parsons on 21 Nov 08 09:11 AM EST
As the three posts before me stated, " They need a study to tell you THIS?" This lie I told myself to justify my constant drinking. I was lying to myself and trying to convince others that I DID NOT HAVE A DRINKING PROBLEM. I would become VERY defensive when even a loved one very close to me would suggest I drank too much. I have thankfully quit and have been alcohol free since 2005.

Posted by Percy on 21 Nov 08 09:36 AM EST
Actually it was a government survey/poll, not a study, and part of a larger safe-drinking campaign in the U.K.

Posted by Steve Coulter, MD on 21 Nov 08 10:57 AM EST
As a family doctor, I soon found that almost EVERYONE is defensive about their drinking. Tea-totalers are defensive about not drinking. Social drinkers are defensive about whether their use is really just social. The only kind of patients I've ever had who were completely matter-of-fact about their drinking behavior were alcoholics in recovery. "I'm an alcoholic who hasn't had a drink in 23.5 months. I used to down a fifth of rum each day for the previous 12 years." Nobody else *ever* gives a clear, unhesitating history.

Posted by Frank Winkler on 21 Nov 08 01:15 PM EST
Why should doctors be any different than the rest of us? It is almost more of a surprise that someone wohuld tke the time to conduct such a poll, much less publish it. Then again, it might just make a nice attachment to a grant application, e.g., do alcoholics lie to their ministers about how much they drink?

Posted by Pete on 21 Nov 08 01:28 PM EST
Can anyone explain this: "The poll further suggested that 19 percent of drinkers were dishonest with themselves about their daily level of alcohol consumption." If the poll relies on asking people to answer questions -- rather than secretly following them and observing their actions --how could the poll uncover self-deception?

Posted by Bill Godshall on 21 Nov 08 02:17 PM EST
Considering that government agencies and health organizations have established a zero tolerance alcohol policy (for everyone under 21, pregnant women, people in treatment/rehab and many convicted of crimes), a one drink per day limit for other adult women and a two drink per day limit for adult men, nobody should be surprised by these survey results. A few years ago here in PA, after a man told his doctor that he drank a six pack of beer every night at home, his doctor reported him to the Department of Transportation, which revoked his driver's license (with no evidence that he ever drove drunk), which cost him his job. Besides, most doctors don't understand or support alcohol harm reduction, but rather urge patients (who acknowledge drinking more than the guideliness permit) to stop all alcohol consumptiom.

Posted by Lou on 21 Nov 08 05:26 PM EST
Funny, several doctors I've met will not tell their patients that they are drinking too much...probably because they themselves are as well. Social denials are incredibe when dealing with this liquid narcotic epidemic. I work towards teen drinking prevention but google "alcoholism prevention" and look what you get....rehab ads (mostly). Egads!We're always dealing with the effects and seldom the causes. Alcohol the narcotic...google that too! Like Robin Williams once said, "Reality, what a concept"

Posted by Lou on 21 Nov 08 05:48 PM EST
Apologies on the recommended google search for "alcoholism prevention"...I was seaching for teen alcohol issues and was shooting from the hip with a previous search. OOPS But I will add that in the US since most goverment agencies will not call alcohol a drug (such as the FDA) there are no restictions on labeling and and marketing to our youth which is allowing the alcohol industry to promote teen drinking.

Posted by Paul, OH on 22 Nov 08 10:50 AM EST
I am shocked to see that only 40% lied to their doctors. Lying about how much I drank was as natural as breathing and as necessary; I needed to protect that dear relationship I had with alcohol and no one would know the truth! Perhaps the other 60% were lying to the surveyor?

Posted by Lisa on 24 Nov 08 11:21 AM EST
I am not shocked at the outcome of this survey. What I am shocked about, are the individuals that are shocked about the outcome of this survey.

Posted by ProfBAM on 24 Nov 08 12:24 PM EST
I teach 2nd year medical students and go through the series of questions to ask about tobacco and alcohol use. I tell them that the patients will lie, but the better you can ask in an empathetic non-threatening way the more likely they will tell you the truth--maybe not this time, but next time or the time after. However, they have to think of a lie, and that is the first step in Prochaska & DiClemente's stages of change. Eventually, they will move to the next step. Therefore, ASK the questions.

Posted by me on 19 Mar 09 11:00 AM EDT
the problem is people lie cause they don't want to admit how much they use. the article says that if you tell your doctor how much you drink, he'll tell you about health risks. WE KNOW THE RISKS. we don't want to be preached at by our doctor, that's why we lie. hypothetically speaking of course ;)

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