While it may not be much of a secret to anyone familiar with alcoholism, researchers have recently determined that heavy drinking is just one part of a constellation of unhealthy and unwise behaviors that alcoholics engage in.

In a study of 7,884 hospital patients in Oregon and Washington, it was discovered that risky drinkers – those who had an average of three or more alcoholic drinks daily – were more likely not to wear seatbelts, to engage in smoking and drinking to relieve stress, and were less likely to see their doctors regularly.

"Our study found that men and women who drank the most had less collaborative relationships with their doctors and were more likely to dislike going to the doctor. They were also less confident they could change their own health-related practices and more likely to think health is a matter of good fortune," said study author Carla Green.

Similarly, a study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Cancer Institute, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, determined that the more people drink, the worse their food choices get. The study found that as alcohol consumption rose, fruit consumption declined and caloric intake increased among men and women. Male drinkers also tended to eat fewer whole grains and drink less milk.

“Heavy drinking and dietary factors have independently been associated with cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and other chronic health problems,” said NIAAA Acting Director Kenneth R. Warren, PhD. “This finding raises questions about whether the combination of alcohol misuse and poor diet might interact to further increase health risks.”