GLP-1 drug semaglutide may help heavy drinkers cut alcohol intake, reduce cravings, and offer a promising new addiction treatment.
A new study has revealed that a popular weight-loss and diabetes medication called semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, may help people drink less alcohol and reduce their cravings for it. The findings have created excitement among addiction experts because they could open the door to a new treatment option for people struggling with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
Researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found that people who took an oral form of semaglutide significantly reduced the amount of alcohol they consumed. Participants cut their drinking by nearly half on the days they drank. They also reported fewer cravings, fewer alcohol-related problems, and even less marijuana use.
The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, is the first to show that an oral GLP-1 medication can help moderate to heavy drinkers who are actively looking for ways to control their alcohol consumption.
What Are GLP-1 Drugs?
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. These medications were originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes and later became widely used for weight loss. They help regulate blood sugar, slow digestion, reduce appetite, and decrease food cravings.
Semaglutide is one of the most well-known GLP-1 drugs. It is sold under brand names such as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss. People taking these medications often report feeling less hungry and needing less food to feel full.
Now researchers believe these drugs may also affect the brain’s reward system, helping people reduce addictive behaviors such as excessive drinking.
Why Is This Study Important?
According to lead researcher Dr. Joseph Schacht, this is one of the most promising developments in alcohol treatment in years.
Alcohol Use Disorder is a serious medical condition in which people struggle to control their drinking despite negative effects on their health, work, or relationships. Nearly 10% of Americans over the age of 12 are estimated to have AUD.
The condition is also a major public health issue. It is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States, contributes to 10% of working-age adult deaths, and plays a role in around 5% of all cancer diagnoses.
Schacht noted that half of American families have been directly affected by alcohol use disorder.
Current Treatments Have Limitations
The last FDA-approved medication for AUD was introduced in 2006. One of the most commonly prescribed drugs today is naltrexone, which can reduce alcohol cravings in some patients.
However, naltrexone does not work for everyone and cannot be used by many people with liver disease. This is a major issue because heavy drinking often causes liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver failure.
GLP-1 medications may offer an advantage because they do not appear to harm the liver. In fact, semaglutide has already been approved for treating a liver condition called Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), and researchers are now studying its effects on alcohol-related liver disease.
Schacht, who has researched addiction for more than 20 years, said this is the first time in decades that multiple studies across different research centers have shown a new medication consistently reducing alcohol use.
Details of the Study
The study lasted eight weeks and included 50 volunteers from the Denver area. Participants were recruited through social media and radio advertisements.
All volunteers had moderate to severe AUD and wanted help controlling their drinking. Heavy drinking was defined as:
- Men consuming at least 28 drinks per week.
- Women consuming at least 21 drinks per week.
Participants received Rybelsus, an oral tablet form of semaglutide. This medication contains the same active ingredient found in Ozempic and Wegovy.
What Did Researchers Find?
People taking semaglutide experienced several benefits:
- Reduced alcohol consumption by about 50% on drinking days.
- Lower alcohol cravings.
- Fewer alcohol-related problems.
- Reduced marijuana use among participants who also used cannabis.
However, the medication did not completely eliminate the desire to drink. Most participants continued drinking occasionally but reported better control over their alcohol intake.
Interestingly, researchers found that many people with AUD are not necessarily aiming for complete abstinence. Instead, they want moderation and control. Semaglutide appears to help achieve that goal.
Will the Benefits Continue After Stopping the Drug?
Researchers do not yet know.
The Colorado study lasted only eight weeks, while the longest trial so far has lasted six months. No studies have yet followed participants after they stopped taking the medication.
Schacht believes the benefits may decrease once treatment ends, but he does not see this as a problem. He compares AUD to chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, which often require long-term treatment.
Can GLP-1 Drugs Help Other Addictions?
Possibly.
Earlier studies have suggested that GLP-1 medications may reduce cigarette smoking as well. One study involving the GLP-1 drug dulaglutide found that participants smoked fewer cigarettes and drank less alcohol.
Researchers are currently studying another medication called tirzepatide, sold as Zepbound for weight loss and Mounjaro for diabetes, to see whether it can help people quit smoking.
The Colorado study also found reduced marijuana use among participants taking semaglutide, suggesting the drug may influence several addictive behaviors.
Evidence From Other Studies
This is not the first study linking GLP-1 medications with reduced alcohol use.
Previous clinical trials have shown promising results:
- A 26-week study using exenatide reduced heavy drinking days among participants with obesity.
- A smoking cessation study involving dulaglutide also found lower alcohol consumption.
- A nine-week trial of injectable semaglutide reduced heavy drinking days and alcohol cravings.
- A recent Lancet study involving 108 people with obesity and moderate-to-severe AUD found that semaglutide reduced heavy drinking days by 41%, compared with 26% in the placebo group.
Together, these findings strengthen the case for GLP-1 drugs as a potential treatment for alcohol addiction.
The Origins of GLP-1 Drugs
Surprisingly, the idea behind GLP-1 medications came from the Gila monster, a venomous lizard found in the southwestern United States.
Scientists discovered a hormone called exendin-4 in the lizard’s saliva. This hormone helped regulate blood sugar and inspired researchers to develop the first GLP-1 medication, exenatide.
Years of research eventually led to newer drugs such as semaglutide, which are now used by millions of people worldwide.
Safety and Future Research
When semaglutide first entered the market, there were concerns about depression and suicidal thoughts. However, after reviewing data from thousands of patients, the FDA found no increased risk and removed the warning.
Researchers now want to answer several important questions:
- Do the alcohol-reducing benefits continue with long-term use?
- Can lower doses work effectively?
- Will results be similar in more diverse populations?
- What happens after patients stop taking the medication?
A New Understanding of Addiction
One of the most important findings may be what it says about addiction itself.
For years, people struggling with alcohol or drug problems were often blamed for lacking willpower. Schacht believes the success of GLP-1 medications highlights the biological nature of addiction.
According to him, addiction is not a moral failing but a medical condition rooted in brain biology. As more evidence emerges, these medications may not only improve treatment but also reduce the stigma surrounding alcohol dependence.
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