Change in Non-Abstinent World Health Organization Risk Drinking Levels and Alcohol Dependence: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study in the United States General Population

摘要

BackgroundAlcohol dependence often goes untreated. Although abstinence is often the aim of alcohol treatment, many drinkers prefer drinking-reduction goals. Therefore, if supported by evidence of benefit, drinking-reduction goals could broaden the appeal of treatment. Regulatory agencies are considering non-abstinent outcomes as clinical trial efficacy indicators, including reduction in the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking risk levels: very high, high, moderate and low, defined in terms of average grams of ethanol per day. Little is known about the relationship between reductions in WHO risk levels and subsequent reduction in the risk for alcohol dependence.