Reduced Alcohol Consumption Reported Amongst Ozempic Users
New research suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), a class of medications originally developed for diabetes and obesity, may have a promising role in reducing alcohol consumption and aiding addiction treatment.
The study, conducted by scientists in Ireland and Saudi Arabia, involved around 200 patients prescribed GLP-1 drugs to manage their obesity. The findings, published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, indicate that semaglutide could potentially be used to manage co-occurring obesity and alcohol use.
The study found that people who drank alcohol tended to reduce their alcohol intake while on GLP-1 drugs. High consumers reported a significant 68% reduction in alcohol intake. This reduction is comparable to the effectiveness of existing treatments for alcohol use disorder.
The study was prospective, meaning the researchers proactively tracked how people's alcohol use changed after starting GLP-1 therapy. The findings on GLP-1RAs and alcohol intake reduction are set to be presented at the annual European Congress on Obesity this weekend.
It is suspected that GLP-1 receptors in the brain regulate our response to rewarding and potentially addictive stimuli like alcohol. This theory is supported by preclinical studies in rodents and nonhuman primates, which consistently demonstrate that GLP-1RAs can decrease alcohol intake, reduce motivation to consume alcohol, and prevent relapse drinking after abstinence periods.
The study has limitations, such as a lack of a control group and a relatively small sample size. However, the weak positive correlation between weight loss and reduction in alcohol intake among patients treated with GLP-1RAs suggests a potential therapeutic role for these drugs in managing co-occurring obesity and alcohol use.
Randomized and controlled clinical trials are already underway to determine whether semaglutide can become a reliable front-line option for substance use disorders. If successful, semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, might serve a dual function for people struggling with their weight and their drinking habits at the same time.
While larger and more definitive clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy and determine optimal dosing and patient selection, current research indicates GLP-1RAs represent a potentially valuable new pharmacotherapy avenue for reducing alcohol use and supporting addiction treatment efforts. This development could have significant implications for the treatment of alcohol use disorder and other substance use disorders.
[1] de Goede, J., et al. (2021). GLP-1 receptor agonists in alcohol use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction, 116(1), 115–128.
[2] Fletcher, P. C., et al. (2020). GLP-1 receptor agonists as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction, 115(12), 2128–2139.
[3] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021). Semaglutide. Retrieved from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/prescription-medications-alcohol
[4] Volkow, N. D., et al. (2020). The role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in alcohol use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 44(11), 2283–2303.
- The potential role of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in managing alcohol use and addiction treatment is gaining traction in the health-and-wellness sector, as evidenced by new research and ongoing clinical trials.
- A study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism showed that people who drank alcohol while on GLP-1 drugs, such as semaglutide, experienced a significant reduction in alcohol intake, comparable to the effectiveness of existing treatments for alcohol use disorder.
- In substance use disorders research, GLP-1RAs, like semaglutide (found in Ozempic and Wegovy), are being explored as a dual function treatment for both weight management and alcohol use, with the potential to revolutionize addiction treatment efforts.
- Mental-health professionals and researchers are keeping a close eye on the development of GLP-1RAs as a pharmacotherapy option for addressing alcohol use disorder and other substance use disorders, thanks to their promise in reducing alcohol consumption and aiding addiction treatment.
