Can you tell your doctor that you drink?
Table of Contents
Can you tell your doctor that you drink?
Lying about your substance use — even if you genuinely rarely drink, smoke, or take drugs — is not a good idea. According to WebMD, only one in six patients even mention that they drink in the exam room, so your doctor might end up rounding up whatever number you do give.
Can a doctor tell if I drink alcohol?
A battery of new tests on blood, urine and hair can reveal how much someone has drunk not only in the past days, but also in the past weeks and months. Doctors are likely to be the first to employ some or all of the new tests, to monitor patients with alcohol problems.
What happens when you tell your doctor you have a drinking problem?
Once you’ve told your doctor about your drinking, they will: Ask you more questions about your drinking habits. They may also want to speak with members of your family. Do a physical exam and take a detailed medical history.
Should I tell my doctor how much I drink?
Most of the people who have problems with drinking aren’t alcoholics, and having a brief chat with a doctor is often all it takes to prompt excessive drinkers to cut back. But, it turns out, doctors aren’t bringing the topic up.
Should I tell my doctor about substance abuse?
It’s always better to disclose too much than too little to your doctor. Even if you used drugs a long time ago in high school or college, it’s still a good idea to let your doctor know. They might want to do extra blood tests depending on what drug you use.
What is the name of alcohol test?
To help detect the level of alcohol in the body, the doctor may prescribe alcohol blood tests and alcohol urine tests. The alcohol in the urine and blood is measured with these tests.
How do you tell if someone is lying about drinking?
The most common lies alcoholics tell involve:
- Downplaying or hiding how much they consumed.
- Saying they didn’t drink when they did.
- Telling you that everyone was drinking when they weren’t.
- Citing a false reason for their drinking.
- Lying about where they are going or not telling you at all.
Can I talk to my doctor about illegal substance use?
If you choose to talk to your doctor about illegal substance use, you can, in most cases, rest assured that your conversation will remain confidential. You can read up on physician-patient privilege at Wikipedia, but here are the important highlights: It’s a Legal Concept: The doctor-patient privilege is a nationally recognized legal concept.
Why does my doctor want to know how much I drink?
Your physician will ask about your drinking habits as part of getting the big picture on your well-being. Even if your primary care physician doesn’t ask you directly about alcohol use, how many drinks you consume in a typical week is generally listed as a question on most pre-visit patient questionnaires.
Should you lie to your doctor about your drinking habits?
According to Dr. Amber Tully, a primary care physician at Ohio’s Cleveland Clinic, you are “doing yourself a disservice” if you lie to your doc about your drinking habits ― and not because they exist to scold you about your alcohol consumption. “We’re here to help you, not judge you, and it’s a team effort,” she said.
Do you have trouble taking medicine as directed?
Three out of four people have trouble taking medicine as directed. Some never even fill their prescription. Others don’t tell their primary care doctors about drugs given to them by other doctors. Don’t mix meds without asking first. Fess up because Medicine doesn’t work if you don’t take it.