Almost every time I see a doctor, they ask how many units of alcohol I drink..

I hardly drink alcohol ever, they always ask on an average week how many units do you drink and I always answer 'none'. Because my average is zero, my mum says I should answer not enough, as a joke. Im not offended they ask me, and I am young and a student. I changed GP surgeries this year so introduced to new nurses and GPs but this week I saw a specialist at hospital for hormones and even he asked and noted my alcohol intake! Aswell as a nurse for when I registered at the new surgery and also when I saw a dermatologist for acne. And most GPs always ask me when they see me for the first time.

It just makes me wonder, is drinking alcohol really that bad? For them to ask me all the time?

Reply 1

TVIO

12

Original post by trifleontoast

I hardly drink alcohol ever, they always ask on an average week how many units do you drink and I always answer 'none'. Because my average is zero, my mum says I should answer not enough, as a joke. Im not offended they ask me, and I am young and a student. I changed GP surgeries this year so introduced to new nurses and GPs but this week I saw a specialist at hospital for hormones and even he asked and noted my alcohol intake! Aswell as a nurse for when I registered at the new surgery and also when I saw a dermatologist for acne. And most GPs always ask me when they see me for the first time.

It just makes me wonder, is drinking alcohol really that bad? For them to ask me all the time?

Young people often drink copious amounts of alcohol. Excessive alcohol intake is not uncommon, and since it has quite negative effects they ask for it I suppose. I don't drink either, but if you drink over your limit regularly then that can have serious long term health effects.

Reply 2

Tiger Rag

22

I was going to ask if it's relevant somehow to why you're there. I get the impression it's not? I've never been asked about my drinking. But I get asked ever single time when I see anyone about my asthma, whether I smoke. As if I'm going to take it up now.

Reply 3

minimarshmallow

18

My doctor, physiotherapist and dentist all asked the same thing to me in the last fortnight. It's just one of those things that could possibly be an explanation of a lot of things if it's high enough. I always answer 2-3 units and they think I'm going to say a day, and then I say a week so they completely rule that out as a possible cause.

Reply 4

Good bloke

19

Excessive alcohol consumption is a factor in many conditions and they are merely asking a relevant screening question. This will be the case throughout your life, so get used to it. You'll often be asked about smoking and exercise as well.

Reply 5

LavenderBlueSky88

20

They always ask, especially for new people joining a surgery. I had to fill in a massive questionnaire about my drinking habits last time I joined somewhere new. It's not personal.

Reply 6

bittr n swt

3

protocol especially for new people....

Reply 7

trifleontoast

OP

4

Original post by OU Student

I was going to ask if it's relevant somehow to why you're there. I get the impression it's not? I've never been asked about my drinking. But I get asked ever single time when I see anyone about my asthma, whether I smoke. As if I'm going to take it up now.

No, I was there about low hormone levels. I have asthma too so when I see the asthma nurse she always asks me and if i smoke.

Original post by LavenderBlueSky88

They always ask, especially for new people joining a surgery. I had to fill in a massive questionnaire about my drinking habits last time I joined somewhere new. It's not personal.

Oh, I dont take it personal. It just makes me think, the more and more I get asked I just feel it must be really important and people feel that its ok to drink every week alot. If doctors are asking about it, it must be something worthwhile asking.

Reply 8

Kabloomybuzz

19

This is going to sound really cynical... but I think reading Confessions of a GP has increased my cynicism somewhat

NHS GPs DO have targets to meet which equal bonuses, and they include things like encouraging people to reduce drinking, stop smoking, lose weight etc... and its probably part of what fuels this.

Its probably also to do with what you're seeing them for as drinking can affect it. I get asked it every now and again...

Reply 9

rainbow.panda

17

I normally only go to the doctors for a check-up before getting a repeat prescription for birth control pills, and they always ask me how many units of alcohol I drink, how much exercise I do and whether or not I smoke. I figured they were just standard questions for them to ask.

Reply 10

Mushi_master

17

Original post by trifleontoast

I hardly drink alcohol ever, they always ask on an average week how many units do you drink and I always answer 'none'. Because my average is zero, my mum says I should answer not enough, as a joke. Im not offended they ask me, and I am young and a student. I changed GP surgeries this year so introduced to new nurses and GPs but this week I saw a specialist at hospital for hormones and even he asked and noted my alcohol intake! Aswell as a nurse for when I registered at the new surgery and also when I saw a dermatologist for acne. And most GPs always ask me when they see me for the first time.

It just makes me wonder, is drinking alcohol really that bad? For them to ask me all the time?

Asking about alcohol intake, just like smoking, is a standard question any doctor should ask anyone in a medical history. Yes, it has certain implications towards yourself - if abused, or taken with certain medications and so many more important considerations. It also helps to give a general idea about your lifestyle, which again has implications on your health. If we don't ask, and there is a problem, then we just don't know!

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Reply 11

JamesManc

15

Yeah they ask me everytime I go, whether it's to a dietician, GP, nurse whatever. I always used to be truthful and say how much I drink (a lot), then they say something like "you may be drinking too much men supposed to be drinking 21 units a week, I'm not sayin cut down if you don't want to but just think about it" They always say "I'm not asking you to cut down if you don't want to." GPs are the worst as if you're a primary school child and cannot work out what a unit is. I now just lie because my job report cannot have a history of alcoholism on.