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The effects of unhealthy alcohol use (the spectrum from risky use through dependence) on the management of coexistent medical conditions have not been well described. In a secondary analysis of prospective data from trial at Veterans Affairs primary care clinics, investigators studied more than 20,000 patients with prescriptions for statin, antihypertensive, or oral hypoglycemic medications. All patients had completed validated three-item alcohol-screening questionnaires; 20% had scores that indicated mild, moderate, or severe unhealthy use.
Pharmacy refill records were reviewed to determine adherence (defined as having medication available for at least 80% of study days); the review showed that more-severe unhealthy alcohol use was associat…