I Believe There A Old Medical Adage, When You Ask Someone How Much They Drink Multiply Their Answer By 3 To Get A True Picture.

[sandyRoe]

Could this study confirm that?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21586566

[ethelburga]

Definitely!

[Quizmonster]

The last time a consultant asked me how much I drank, I said, "Do you want me to give you the actual figure or should I multiply it by three for you?" He wasn't best pleased, but said I should give him the actual figure, which I did. Whether he then multiplied it by three or nor, I obviously don't know!
I've always believed the "21 units per week" mantra to be a nonsense, especially since two of the experts on the actual Royal College of Physicians group who came up with it rather 'debunked' it. One said it was a decision made by a committee, based on no actual research, and the other that the figure, 21, had been plucked from thin air or words to that effect.

As regards the question, I have no doubt but that many people, when asked about their consumption of alcohol, lie.

[woofgang]

I am not really sure why the question is asked if the docs never expect a true answer. I know pretty much to the unit how much I have had in any one week. I got used to monitoring it when my dh was ill and I needed to be able to drive pretty much 24/7. and its become a habit.

[aelmpvw]

the same probably goes for cigarette consumption

[ummmm]

Having lived and worked in pubs my whole life I'd never pay heed to recommended amounts.

You can drink too much but if you have a healthy lifestyle besides that I reckon you'll be fine.

People react differently to alcohol. My dad died at the age of 59 from liver cancer (probably due to alcohol) my Nan 84, is still going strong and she probably drank way more than him. Every round she'd have a half and a half (bottle of Pills and a whiskey and lemonade) she had a really healthy diet......He didn't.

(She was a publican....not an old woman on the ***)

[jennyjoan]

my friend's dad - love a pint of lager with a whiskey threw in and he lived until 93.

[Khandro]

jennyjoan; Just think if he'd have left it alone he could have lived to be 105.
:0)

[Buenchico]

Many people seem to calculate their alcohol consumption by the 'rule' (as they see it) that one pint of beer = 2 units and one measure of spirits = 1 unit. That 'rule' seemed to be widely quoted when the idea of measuring alcohol consumption in 'units' was first introduced.

That was fair enough when most pubs served keg beer and lager at around 3.5% ABV and spirits in 25ml measures but many pubs are now serving beers at around 5.6% and spirits in 35ml measures.

So a person who has consumed 3 pints of beer and finished off with a double spirit might get that to add up to 8 units by using the 'rule', whereas they've actually consumed 12.3 units.

[Deskdiary]

I judge my alcohol consumption by how drunk I am and pay zero heed to the units.

I can remember a report a few years ago which suggested 4 pints in one 'session' was binge drinking. That may be true if you are a 6 stone ballerina, but as a 14 stone flanker 4 pints didn't even touch the sides.

I'm sure the experts would decry my drinking - which is nothing, not a drop, from Sunday to Friday inclusive (I can no longer work with a hangover), but on a Saturday evening I hose it down.

Do people lie about their drinking? I've never (really) been asked, but if I were, I'd be quite candid.

[Daffy6543]

3 times zero is still zero :).

[Old_Geezer]

I can only assume those who believe it are letting on something about themselves. But it might explain why the NHS thought it was ok to insult me with their *(^^$%^$&^ leaflets when I answered their question about how little alcohol I drank.

[ladyalex]

I thought that Drs followed the 2,3,4 rule.
Multiply the amount of alcohol patients say by 2, the number of cigarettes they say they smoke by 3 and divide the amount of sex they say they have by 4.

[Nibble]

^ Someone's looking at my medical notes ;-)

[Eve]

I tend to get a rather suspicious look when I am asked, when I tell them it's very rare that I drink (especially with all the medication I'm on), then I tend to get the questions of how any drinks a week etc... Pointing out just how long ago my last drink was (usually a glass of wine with say Christmas/Boxing Day dinner or something like that) ends up doing the trick.

[Eve]

I'm always pretty honest about my cigarette smoking, which does differ, depending on the day. I don't see the point in being economical with the truth though.

If they multiplied mine by two, they would be way off.

[Hypognosis]

I haven't read the thread yet, just wanted to ask who watched the Horizon prog on binge-drinking? (on iPlayer for the next 25+ days)

[ummmm]

I used to live next door to a doctor and he always seemed to have a drink in his hand. A drink and a fag....

[sandyRoe]

'Do as I say, not as I do' is a fine motto.