Emerging research suggests that medications originally developed for weight loss, such as Ozempic, might offer unexpected hope for those battling addiction. A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry adds to growing evidence that GLP-1 agonists—a class of drugs designed to regulate hunger and appetite—could also reduce the risks associated with substance use disorders.
GLP-1 agonists, like semaglutides (Ozempic, Wegovy) and liraglutides, mimic a hormone that helps control appetite. But their benefits appear to go beyond weight management.
In this study, researchers analyzed data from more than 227,000 people diagnosed with alcohol use disorder between 2006 and 2021. They found that those taking GLP-1 agonists were significantly less likely to be hospitalized for alcohol withdrawal or overdose. Specifically, semaglutides were associated with a 36% lower risk, and liraglutides with a 28% lower risk.
The impact wasn’t limited to alcohol. Those taking semaglutides had a 32% lower risk of hospitalization due to any substance use disorder, while liraglutides reduced the risk by 22%.
Earlier this year, as Emily’s Hope previously reported, a large-scale study of more than 503,000 people with opioid use disorder revealed similar findings. Those prescribed GLP-1 RA or GIP medications, including Ozempic and Mounjaro, experienced a 40% lower risk of opioid overdose compared to those without such prescriptions.
