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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards

Telling your GP you take drugs recreationally - yes or no.

ants

Bluelighter
Joined
Sep 15, 2013
Messages
201
Hey guys.

I'm from the UK and have a docs appointment in 12 hours or so.

It's kinda relevant that I have taken MDMA 8 times in the past 6 months.

If i tell them this, will there be any repercussions? Life insurance? I know it's means they will be more picky about prescribing me drugs.

Thoughts please?

Thanks.
 
Unless telling the doctor is necessary due to illness or life threatening conditions...HELL NO
only tell the doc if the drugs have fucked you up and you need him to help you.

If the drugs didn't cause any negative repercussions, and your fine now, why tell him and make your life more difficult?

i once did that in good faith cause me and my doc were real cool, flagged my name as a junky, never got another prescription besides an antibiotic.
 
I don't see any valid reason why you should tell your regular doctor about potentially reckless drug abuse. In the US we have doctor patient confidentiality. The patient has the privilege of the physician abiding by professional ethics standards (AMA) mandating the physician keeping his patient's confidence, except in rare cases such as when compelled by the law or a court order; or, when the physician believes the patient poses a harm to himself or others with a reasonable probability. Additionally, a physician can disclose information in certain exceptions deemed justified because of predominant considerations.

What does that mean in practical terms? If I believe there's some unsavory or unscrupulous information that is pertinent in that not informing the doctor about it would hinder his/her ability to provide me with urgent or necessary services or treatment, then I would tell him/her. If the doctor appears to have a professional demeanor emphasizing proper care then I would be more willing to volunteer information or make inquiries, provided it would actually give me some insight, knowledge, or feedback. At the end of the day, I would not present information that would put me in a bad light for no good reason. I think one should presume that disclosing information is a preferred course of action in situations where it could relate to the doctor's ability to provide the proper treatment. That is, I would tell my doctor any information I believe to be relevant to his being ABLE to render the best care. It would be for me to convince myself that divulging information would produce certain consequences that would clearly outweigh a small or marginal perceived benefit from telling him/her.

Life insurance is like any form of insurance to my mind; the companies wouldn't provide insurance if the premiums didn't exceed the payouts...

Ultimately, you have to assess the professional standards in your jurisdiction, you have to evaluate how true those standards are reflected in reality, and ultimately, you should decide whether telling him about it would produce a substantive, tangible benefit. If so, how big of a benefit is it? Flipped around, how much would you stand to lose by not telling him? Would it compromise your care?

To what nature and degree? Anything that is not small and manageable should compel you to inform your doctor so he can effectively provide you with needed services.
 
Not a chance. I have this little quirk where I always think I know better and don't trust anyone and need to be in control. So for better or worse I only tend to tell doctors what I want them to know to get them to do what I want. Not that I enjoy manipulating them, I just would rather screw myself over than have them do it for me.
 
Hey guys.

I'm from the UK and have a docs appointment in 12 hours or so.

It's kinda relevant that I have taken MDMA 8 times in the past 6 months.

If i tell them this, will there be any repercussions? Life insurance? I know it's means they will be more picky about prescribing me drugs.

Thoughts please?

Thanks.

There is no possible reason why you should tell them. If you got drunk 8 times in the past 6 months would you tell them? It is absolutely irrelevant to anything I don't know why you would even consider it. People have this idea that there are some magic consequences to MDMA even if they haven't experienced any, and used very sparingly.

The doctor may act cool and passively flag you. He may try to pimp some bullshit rehab on you or he may spin every issue you have back to your drug use, essentially sacrificing you as a patient just to take pot- shots at a drug that doesn't have a lobby and patent on it.
 
People have this idea that there are some magic consequences to MDMA even if they haven't experienced any, and used very sparingly.

The doctor may act cool and passively flag you. He may try to pimp some bullshit rehab on you or he may spin every issue you have back to your drug use, essentially sacrificing you as a patient just to take pot- shots at a drug that doesn't have a lobby and patent on it.

Here's my take. The op OBVIOUSLY is dealing with or has dealt with adverse effects emanating from the repeated use of something he reputes to be MDMA. Having said that, the problems of MDMA are in the brain. Depletion of serotonin is not something a general physician can provide meaningful help with. For this specific instance, it does not make sense to tell the doctor. What good will it do.

As for the whole issue of a red flag. I have no knowledge of what procedures are permissible in the UK, so I will forbear comment.

Now, I know how doctors are supposed to act. If what you said is practically applicable to this situation in the UK, unlike in the US, ignore what I say. I speak for what's ordinary in these sorts of situations, focusing on the doctors' behavior and characteristics and with some cognizance of the legal and ethical frameworks governing the conduct of the physician.

The physician keeps records, which one may access. If there are flags, they should be in the records. Specifically, flagging a patient's file is designated by some states in cases where it is clear the patient exhibits patterns indicative of drug seeking and abuse and especially in situations where there has been a history of violations. These laws are narrow in scope and pertain primarily to combating doctor shopping and related cases of unfaithful representations and abuse. It is certainly not the convention to "flag" a patient's file by the physician making secret notations and preparing them in a separate set of addendums to draw attention to judgments of an arbitrary nature.

Actually, a doctor acting ethically (which describes most doctors) is compelled to use sound medical judgment adjudging various interests to ensure that ultimately he (universal he) complies with the duty to hold the best interests of the patient as of the utmost importance. A doctor can give suggestions to his patient, he can give admonishments to his patient, but he, incontrovertibly may not compromise his patients best interests. To do so would be inexcusable.

In the US, your physician (medical doctor) can hear all sorts of discreditable things about what you have done in the past, but that does not change one iota his professional obligation to exercise sound medical judgment, maintaining your best interests as supreme above all else.

To suggest sinister, capricious motives of doctors and particularly medical doctors is a flagrant show of ignorance.
 
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@opium With all due respect, I'm quite sure this is a fiction or that you volunteered salacious information related to the misrepresentation and acquisition of pain pills from others. Otherwise, what's his basis for flagging you? Be sure to mention what state you live in.

Look at your name how you broadcast opium as part of your persona. That doesn't hurt my hypothesis.
 
Stargazer, drop a line about which state you live in and why your answer is no. And if it's not a stretch, what your drug of choice is. ..
 
In the US, your physician (medical doctor) can hear all sorts of discreditable things about what you have done in the past, but that does not change one iota his professional obligation to exercise sound medical judgment, maintaining your best interests as supreme above all else.

To suggest sinister, capricious motives of doctors and particularly medical doctors is a flagrant show of ignorance.

You are childishly naive. Some doctors are simply not willing to take any possible liability from a patient who has taken drugs outside their realm (brand name abusables/ alcohol/tobacco), especially with the increasing prosecutions of doctors. These doctors do not give a flying fuck about you because they want to keep their livelihoods. Some follow what you say because have great wisdom and insight, they are the best type. However, there is another kind of doctor that truly believes propaganda who will see it as their duty to report that you have abused drugs. A final type of doctor will simply not ever prescribe you abusable drugs ever again once you have ignored his directions for using said drugs because he believes you would harm yourself or get addicted and may or may not flag you. All four of these doctor subtypes truly think that they are behaving ethically with the possible exemption of the first, who has an excuse.

Older doctors are better because they were educated at a time of less criminalization and hype over drugs.

I know these types from a vast array of personal experiences, anecdotal reports and documentaries. You seem to think doctors are benevolent demi-gods or something.
 
Never ever even think I telling your doctor about recreational drug use unless you are having serious health issues related to your use that could be life threatening or leave you disabled. You will be judged, labeled, and red flagged. If you ever get in an accident or have a serious chronic medical condition that requires a controlled medication for you to function normally there is a very good chance you will be refused treatment. It is hard enough for somebody with a clean record to get medication they legitimately need let alone someone labeled as a junkie in their medical record.
 
There are times to tell your doctor. For instance, an ex-opiate addict would want to tell their doc so they don't prescribe them any opiates, which could re-ignite an addiction. This not being the case, I wouldn't tell the Doctor unless there's a REALLY good reason. Depending on the doctor, there may be more repercussions than benefits. Then again, don't let everyone hold you back if it's a legitimate gripe.
 
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^ I think a lot of ex-addicts don't want to be flagged as users or drug-seekers for the very reason that they may need genuine pain relief in the future and do not wish to endure more pain because of something in their past.

If we're talking about drug related complications; yes tell the doc.
If you're not quite sure if it's drug related, I'd hold back on my theoretical diagnoses and just tell them what the issue is. It might be totally pointless telling them every detail, but if they specifically ask, you should certainly weigh up why they are asking, and be honest if it seems the question is genuine and not just judging/prying.

It's a bit too vague too give a generalised answer to.
 
You are childishly naive...

I know these types from a vast array of personal experiences, anecdotal reports and documentaries. You seem to think doctors are benevolent demi-gods or something.

In that whole irrelevant part that I cut out, you don't seem to mention specific examples of how the doctor ultimately compromises his patient's best interests. I'm under the impression a lot of junkies see this issue in junkie terms. Will I be able to get my junkie fix or not... That's fine and well. But don't substitute your junkie lenses for actual substantive input about how disclosures relate to whether a doctor will treat a broken leg, or monitor your pulse and blood pressure to make sure you're all right after overdosing on cocaine. Of course doctors have a duty to protect themselves too. Junkie-ness will incentivize them to make sure they don't facilitate FURTHER junkie-ness. That does not compromise a patient's best interests. If you're hurt and can't get pain meds, maybe that's all for the better. Sure you're in pain, but maybe getting pain pills REALLY is not in your best interest. The doctor doesn't operate on hypotheticals like you'll go out on the street and manage your pain with china white heroin. He deals with his duty to the patient in a medical setting.

If you're a veritable junkie, your opinion is useless on this thread. Anything you say operates on a general conflict of interest.
 
"Junkie" is a very derogatory term around here - I don't necessarilg agree/disagree with either of you - but saying addicts' (or ex-addicts) thoughts, intentions and medical needs are irrelevant isnt very helpful.
Some of us value our privacy.
And I'm not a "junkie".
 
In that whole irrelevant part that I cut out, you don't seem to mention specific examples of how the doctor ultimately compromises his patient's best interests. I'm under the impression a lot of junkies see this issue in junkie terms. Will I be able to get my junkie fix or not... That's fine and well. But don't substitute your junkie lenses for actual substantive input about how disclosures relate to whether a doctor will treat a broken leg, or monitor your pulse and blood pressure to make sure you're all right after overdosing on cocaine. Of course doctors have a duty to protect themselves too. Junkie-ness will incentivize them to make sure they don't facilitate FURTHER junkie-ness. That does not compromise a patient's best interests. If you're hurt and can't get pain meds, maybe that's all for the better. Sure you're in pain, but maybe getting pain pills REALLY is not in your best interest. The doctor doesn't operate on hypotheticals like you'll go out on the street and manage your pain with china white heroin. He deals with his duty to the patient in a medical setting.

If you're a veritable junkie, your opinion is useless on this thread. Anything you say operates on a general conflict of interest.

I wrote three examples of how what you said was naive bullshit, hardly irrelevant. Also what I said applies to all drugs and I'm not a junkie so suck it. I doctor never prescribing you pain meds because you smoked pot is not in your best interest. Now you are simply offering apologetics for their behaviour. You were naive and pretentious, I called you out on it, now you are back tracking with personal attacks.
 
You are childishly naive.1Some doctors are simply not willing to take any possible liability from a patient who has taken drugs outside their realm (brand name abusables/ alcohol/tobacco), especially with the increasing prosecutions of doctors. These doctors do not give a flying fuck about you because they want to keep their livelihoods. 2 Some follow what you say because have great wisdom and insight, they are the best type.3 However, there is another kind of doctor that truly believes propaganda who will see it as their duty to report that you have abused drugs. 4 A final type of doctor will simply not ever prescribe you abusable drugs ever again once you have ignored his directions for using said drugs because he believes you would harm yourself or get addicted and may or may not flag you. All four of these doctor subtypes truly think that they are behaving ethically with the possible exemption of the first, who has an excuse.

Older doctors are better because they were educated at a time of less criminalization and hype over drugs.

I know these types from a vast array of personal experiences, anecdotal reports and documentaries. You seem to think doctors are benevolent demi-gods or something.

All right, let's address this part then. Before I said "Fuck it, I've already scanned it and don't see anything pertinent."

Now, I say fuck it, let's pick apart a blob of text that says nothing. So just as you informally enumerated the different types of doctors, I've actually labeled them 1, 2, 3, and 4. Now I'll quote each case, so I don't have to scroll back and forth, and for your reading pleasure.

The 'first type' of doctor:

"Some doctors are simply not willing to take any possible liability from a patient who has taken drugs outside their realm (brand name abusables/ alcohol/tobacco), especially with the increasing prosecutions of doctors. These doctors do not give a flying fuck about you because they want to keep their livelihoods."

Some is an ambiguous word. "Simply not willing" is filler and can be substituted with 'unwilling.' "Any possible liability" is redundant. "A patient who has taken drugs outside their realm": How would the doctor know what drugs the patient has taken? Did the patient disclose this to the doctor? I'm very familiar with the style of writing that you use. It omits important details so as to strip the claims of any context that would allow them (the claims) to be scrutinized as to their veracity.

"who has taken drugs outside their realm (brand name abusables/ alcohol/tobacco)": What does outside their realm mean, besides being opaque? Are those things in parentheses exhaustive? Are those things in parentheses examples? What does brand name mean? Does it mean illicit drugs that are commonly abused ("brand name") or does it mean legal, pharmaceutical drugs that are subject to abuse (??), because for your information they're not always brand name. Using a / mark enhances nebulousness. For example, and/or means it could be and or it could be or; but it can't be both. The mark can also signal that terms can be used interchangeably; both terms are suitable. It's certainly misused in your writing; whether it's to obfuscate your claims, to divert scrutiny, or it's an unintended error in trying to convey what you mean remains a mystery.

"especially with the increasing prosecutions of doctors": This part is irksome. It may well have an element of truth with reality, but it's devoid of restrictive detail or constraints which are needed to clarify the context. What are these doctors being prosecuted for? Not giving this bit of context is asinine. Given the passage of time, you would expect an increase in things that are byproducts of primary growth trends such as population growth or, say, an increasing number of practicing physicians. But that's also not to say it couldn't be zealous lawyers looking to make a fast buck who are responsible for "the increasing prosecutions." See, "the" is a definite article. It refers to something specific. So don't use "the" unless you're referring to something specific.

I would have said something like "especially with doctors being more cautious due to the rise in claims of xyz and with the increasing prosecutions associated therewith." This is still a tenuous construction because "the" remains almost superfluous. So what does that say about your original construction. You added a word that did not fit for the sole purpose of making insinuations and causing confusion. To elaborate, your whole objective is to throw out loaded words here and there without really committing to anything specific. Again, this is a dubious style of writing. So, let's recap. Why would the doctors take liability? Is it related to actions that are tortious? Is it related to actions that are illegal? Well then, why not specify those actions? If doctors aren't willing to take any liability (from patients who have taken drugs outside of ones that are within their realm, so to speak), then they would avoid all misconduct that would subject them to liability.

Clearly, what you're insinuating by any B]possible[/B] liability is that they would also avoid general conduct that could potentially subject them to liability. Well if that is the case, they would have to stop practicing because it necessarily entails the risk of liability. Do you see how this works? You don't even specify what the nature of the liability is. Your whole description of the so called first type of doctor is a joke. Your portrayal of the circumstance as one involving "a patient who has taken drugs..." is not only problematic for the reasons I specified above, but it also does nothing to exculpate you from the claim that the blurb I purposely omitted is irrelevant. Gotta cut it short here. I'll try to make time for the other three types of doctors, but I can't promise it.
 
Rule of thumb about drug usage is to never be open and honest about it unless it is absolutely vital for your survival. It just causes problems otherwise.

Especially don't tell your doctor unless you are suffering illness that you suspect is from your drug use.
 
I have responded within the quote below in bold.

All right, let's address this part then. Before I said "Fuck it, I've already scanned it and don't see anything pertinent."

Now, I say fuck it, let's pick apart a blob of text that says nothing. So just as you informally enumerated the different types of doctors, I've actually labeled them 1, 2, 3, and 4. Now I'll quote each case, so I don't have to scroll back and forth, and for your reading pleasure.

The 'first type' of doctor:

"Some doctors are simply not willing to take any possible liability from a patient who has taken drugs outside their realm (brand name abusables/ alcohol/tobacco), especially with the increasing prosecutions of doctors. These doctors do not give a flying fuck about you because they want to keep their livelihoods."

Some is an ambiguous word.No it isn't Dur! It means a not-insignificant proportion of doctors. "Simply not willing" is filler and can be substituted with 'unwilling.'It is not filler. It can be substituted because they mean the same thing obviously. You are literally making shit up, lol. Do you pat yourself on the back after coming up with these idiotic criticisms? "Any possible liability" is redundant. How? Dur! I am ephasizing how they are being especially careful."A patient who has taken drugs outside their realm": How would the doctor know what drugs the patient has taken? Did the patient disclose this to the doctor?that is implied, genius ... I'm very familiar with the style of writing that you use. It omits important details so as to strip the claims of any context that would allow them (the claims) to be scrutinized as to their veracity. You are just being self-indulgent here. Am I supposed to be held to an impossible standard of proof while you can generalize all doctors in one way like you did with your original claim?

"who has taken drugs outside their realm (brand name abusables/ alcohol/tobacco)": What does outside their realm mean, besides being opaque? Are those things in parentheses exhaustive? Are those things in parentheses examples? What does brand name mean? Does it mean illicit drugs that are commonly abused ("brand name") or does it mean legal, pharmaceutical drugs that are subject to abuse (??), because for your information they're not always brand name. Using a / mark enhances nebulousness. For example, and/or means it could be and or it could be or; but it can't be both. The mark can also signal that terms can be used interchangeably; both terms are suitable. It's certainly misused in your writing; whether it's to obfuscate your claims, to divert scrutiny, or it's an unintended error in trying to convey what you mean remains a mystery. Here you are being self-indulgent again and pseudo intellectual. Obviously I meant the so called street drugs that are not manufactured by a licensed company. Do you even know what a brand is?This doctor example is focusing on illicitly produced drugs and how a doctor would view them separately from someone's use of brand name drugs with abuse potential, alcohol or tobacco.

"especially with the increasing prosecutions of doctors": This part is irksome. It may well have an element of truth with reality, but it's devoid of restrictive detail or constraints which are needed to clarify the context. You are just being smart-ass, you know doctors' prescription records are being scrutinized by the police. If you weren't pretended to be retarded just to invent criticism of my post it would make sense to you. The amount of drugs that must be prescribed to be labelled as a pill mill is undefined and SOME doctors do not want to risk it unless the circumstances are exceptional.What are these doctors being prosecuted for? Not giving this bit of context is asinine. Your inability to come to the obvious answer is asinine, "prescribing to much drugs of abuse or enabling someone's addiction".Given the passage of time, you would expect an increase in things that are byproducts of primary growth trends such as population growth or, say, an increasing number of practicing physicians. But that's also not to say it couldn't be zealous lawyers looking to make a fast buck who are responsible for "the increasing prosecutions." See, "the" is a definite article. It refers to something specific. So don't use "the" unless you're referring to something specific. I am referring specifically to the United State's stricter regulations on doctors prescribing drugs obviously. This is more of your self-indulgence. It is not merely an increase in prosecutions coinciding with more employed physicians or population growth.

I would have said something like "especially with doctors being more cautious due to the rise in claims of xyz and with the increasing prosecutions associated therewith." This is still a tenuous construction because "the" remains almost superfluous. So what does that say about your original construction. You added a word that did not fit for the sole purpose of making insinuations and causing confusion. The only one confused here is you. I can be unnecessarily verbose as well, but I don't have to prove anything to myself.To elaborate, your whole objective is to throw out loaded words here and there without really committing to anything specific. Again, this is a dubious style of writing. So, let's recap. Why would the doctors take liability? Is it related to actions that are tortious? Is it related to actions that are illegal? Well then, why not specify those actions? If doctors aren't willing to take any liability (from patients who have taken drugs outside of ones that are within their realm, so to speak), then they would avoid all misconduct that would subject them to liability.Dur! You failed to see the obvious point again, we are talking about "possible" liability involving people who have admittedly used illegal drugs who may very well abuse their prescriptions.

Clearly, what you're insinuating by any B]possible[/B] liability is that they would also avoid general conduct that could potentially subject them to liability. Well if that is the case, they would have to stop practicing because it necessarily entails the risk of liability. Do you see how this works? You are being a smart-ass again. I was talking about the liability resulting from prescribing abusable drugs to those who have stated a history of illegal drug use. Did you somehow miss that? I really have to spell out every little thing just so your mind is able to process it?You don't even specify what the nature of the liability is. Your whole description of the so called first type of doctor is a joke. Your portrayal of the circumstance as one involving "a patient who has taken drugs..." is not only problematic for the reasons I specified above, but it also does nothing to exculpate you from the claim that the blurb I purposely omitted is irrelevant. Gotta cut it short here. I'll try to make time for the other three types of doctors, but I can't promise it.

I am waiting for the next round of nit-picky, self-indulgent, pseudo-intellectual tripe. Fire away buddy.
 
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"I am waiting for the next round of nit-picky, self-indulgent, pseudo-intellectual tripe. Fire away buddy."
Please avoid bullying the members of this forum. What is your perspective here? What is your motive in discouraging relevant discussion about peoples health and safety?


Here are a couple of sources to support the people that say "no". I know O.P. is in the U.K., all the info I could find was for the U.S.A..

In the United States of Mass Surveillance the government does not need a a warrant to access your medical records.
https://www.aclu.org/technology-and-liberty/faq-government-access-medical-records
This information can then be implemented in databases of federally sponsored programs to be data mined by artificial intelligence to profile you for crimes you haven't committed yet.
http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/19/5...this-computer-predicts-crime-but-is-it-racist

Also, the majority of medical records are now digital. If the government hasn't taped these databases like phone and internet meta-data records it is only a matter of time.

I haven't seen anything about the U.K., but in America you can't safely be honest with your doctor about drug use or addiction.

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http://www.shulginresearch.org
http://www.freeleonardpickard.org
http://www.maps.org
http://www.erowid.org
 
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