Review

Reductions in World Health Organization Risk Drinking Levels as a Primary Efficacy End Point for Alcohol Clinical Trials

JAMA Psychiatry 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2025.2508

September 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM EDT

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The FDA acceptance of reduction in WHO RDLs as a primary end point for alcohol clinical trials may increase opportunities for AUD medications development, encourage patients to seek treatments that target drinking reductions, and engage clinicians in prescribing medications shown to be effective in supporting drinking reductions. The WHO RDLs may be particularly useful for targeted drinking reductions in clinical practice. Qualification of the WHO RDL end point facilitates a paradigm shift toward a harm reduction approach in AUD treatment.

Corresponding Author: Katie Witkiewitz, PhD, Center on Alcohol, Substance use, And Addictions, The University of New Mexico, MSC 03-2220, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (katiew@unm.edu).

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