Exchange of the week Doctoring the facts

To The Guardian

While it is accepted that the regular output of research into drinking can add to our understanding of the problem, the credibility of using GP records must be questioned. In my experience, and from talking to others over a number of years, very few of those who admit to drinking alcohol provide accurate information to their GP regarding consumption.

I am 63 years old and have drunk alcohol most of my adult life. I drink 30 to 40 units per week and have done for years. I don’t smoke, and exercise and eat sensibly. My heart function is fine and my liver function is normal, but if I told my GP how much I drank, it would be received with incredulity and a good telling off. So I don’t. There are very many people like me who accept that you can’t have a reasonable discussion with a doctor about “moderate” drinking, and therefore lie about their consumption. If we are to have a proper debate, we need to stop looking at alcohol consumption in terms of sensible drinkers as good and all others as bad. Until we do, you will always have a massive cohort of drinkers who are not represented because we have chosen to keep our GP happy. Ian Mitchell, Preston, Lancashire

To The Guardian

Ian Mitchell writes that he lies to his doctor about how much he drinks. I sometimes encounter my hausarzt (GP) in a bar we favour, when we both quickly conceal our cigarettes under the table and pretend that the large glass of wine is our first. Any overt reference to our peccadilloes is met by him threatening a prostate examination. Brian Smith, Berlin