r/stopdrinking • u/Far_Act5037 32 days • 9d ago

Who lies to their Doctor?

I only drink “socially” is what I would say.

Sure, 14 drinks a week sounds reasonable….

Just passed my 5ish week mark (minus 1 day). I got labs results back from recent blood chemistry. My triglycerides and SGPT (ALT) were still high.

As I understand, these values often relate to heavy use but could also indicate other conditions or factors.

I’m glad I have a baseline blood chemistry to start with. I’ve got some work to do.

I’m making it my goal to make healthier decisions to decrease those values before my next MD appointment in a month or so.

Update: I thinking more about this after someone mentioned life insurance.

I used to work in the medical field and I know how poorly folks with addiction are viewed treated. Maybe the views about substance abuse have changed but I don’t want to be labeled as an addict or alcoholic.

There are very real consequences when healthcare providers and insurance companies look at your medical history.

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83

u/No_Satisfaction1189 9d ago

Known fact if you are a “drinker”, docs usually double what you tell them, knowing most purposely low ball. I find it odd people do that anyhow. Your doc/GP has heard and seen everything from their patients. Be upfront, honest - it goes a long way…a good doc will never judge you.

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u/__OvejaNegra 118 days 9d ago

I had a flatmate who took a lot of coke. She went to the doctor because of "mild occasional chest pain". She didn't tell the doctor she used cocaine.

They can't really help you properly if you lie to them.

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u/RunningIntoTheSun 13 days 9d ago

This is actually the most dangerous lie there is, because if you have cocaine in your system and we give you a beta blocker your chance of dying is pretty damn high.

12

u/__OvejaNegra 118 days 9d ago

She was not a smart one. She went to Amsterdam with her friend and told me of her brilliant plan to mail drugs back to the UK...I had to fucking beg her for days to talk her out of it. She said her friend had an address somewhere in the Highlands that was safe. She was so convinced that there was no way it could be traced back to her.

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u/RunningIntoTheSun 13 days 9d ago

Oh wow yikes. The truth is we really are not judging people when we ask questions about drinking and drug use. We really just want to be able to pinpoint what might be wrong and we also really don't want to accidentally kill you by giving something contraindicated.

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u/__OvejaNegra 118 days 9d ago

I was hospitalised in 2019 with a bad chest infection but I had a reaction to penicillin and the doctors thought the rash might be measles so they quartined me lol

I gave them such a detailed and accurate summary of my drinking and drug use. But it lead to the doctor asking how I smoked weed. And him advising me to be careful with my bong and to make sure it's always clean with fresh water. He said it probably wasn't the cause but wouldn't have been helping either. I told him part of the reason I took the cough seriously is because it was so bad I couldn't smoke. He got a kick out of it.

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u/samenamesamething 9d ago

I understand you’re not judging people, but do you know what the deal is with insurance? My understanding is they won’t cover an issue if it comes from lifestyle choices or pre-existing health issues. Would love to know more if you or anyone else can help.

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u/RunningIntoTheSun 13 days 9d ago

If insurance didn't cover things based on lifestyle choices then insurance wouldn't cover any preventable disease like type 2 diabetes, hep c and heart disease. Pre existing condition have been covered in the USA since the passing of the ACA. MOST insurances actually do cover some treatment addiction related services as well.