The new front in addiction research: GLP-1 drugs and alcohol
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy (weight loss) and Ozempic (diabetes), is being explored beyond its approved uses. Anecdotal reports have noted that some people on these injections drink less alcohol, prompting researchers to study whether semaglutide could help those struggling with alcohol dependence. A small, double‑blind study conducted by an American team provides the first clinical hints that semaglutide might influence alcohol-related behaviors in dependent individuals.
The study design and participants
The trial enrolled 48 adults diagnosed with alcohol dependence. Inclusion criteria included weekly alcohol consumption exceeding seven drinks for women and fourteen for men, with at least two episodes of heavy drinking per week. Half of the participants received weekly injections of semaglutide for nine weeks, while the other half received a placebo. The study was conducted in a double-blind fashion, meaning neither participants nor researchers knew who received the active drug.
How drinking behavior was assessed
To gauge the medication’s impact on self‑control and consumption, researchers used two standard tests. In one test, participants sat with their preferred alcoholic beverage for 50 minutes and could earn money to abstain, testing their resistance to temptation. In another, participants could drink freely for two hours, allowing assessment of consumption under less constrained circumstances. These tests, combined with self‑reports and craving scales, offered a controlled glimpse into semaglutide’s effects on drinking behavior.
What the results showed
Overall, semaglutide did not significantly reduce the average number of drinks per day or the frequency of drinking episodes compared with placebo. However, the medication did lead to a meaningful reduction in the amount consumed during drinking episodes. In other words, participants on semaglutide tended to drink less per occasion and showed greater resistance to alcohol cravings than those in the placebo group.
An unexpected finding: potential boost for quitting smoking
An additional observation emerged among a subset of participants who smoked. Those treated with semaglutide were more likely to reduce or quit smoking compared with the control group. While exploratory, this finding aligns with broader hypotheses that GLP‑1 drugs may influence multiple addictive behaviors by modulating reward pathways in the brain.
How might semaglutide influence alcohol use?
Semaglutide belongs to the GLP‑1 class, drugs that mimic a gut-derived hormone involved in satiety and energy regulation. The precise mechanism by which these medications affect substance use disorders remains unclear. One leading theory suggests that GLP‑1 receptor activity modulates brain reward circuits, potentially dampening the pleasurable signals associated with alcohol and nicotine. If confirmed, this could open avenues for treating various addictions beyond metabolic disorders.
Limitations and what comes next
The study’s small sample size limits the strength of conclusions regarding efficacy and safety in alcohol dependence. The researchers emphasize the need for larger trials, including participants with more severe dependence and higher levels of alcohol consumption, to confirm the observed benefits and monitor adverse effects. Nonetheless, the results add to a growing body of work exploring repurposing GLP‑1 drugs for addictive disorders.
Why this matters for patients and clinicians
If future research corroborates these early signals, semaglutide could become part of a broader therapeutic toolkit for alcohol dependence, complementing behavioral therapies and existing pharmacotherapies. More robust evidence would be needed to define who might benefit most, optimal dosing, and long‑term safety in this population.
Bottom line
Researchers are just beginning to understand how semaglutide may influence the neural circuits underlying addiction. While the initial findings are promising, larger and longer trials are essential before semaglutide could be recommended as a treatment for alcohol dependence.
