Semaglitude may become a new tool to assist alcohol rehab treatment. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, primarily known for managing diabetes and obesity. The compound is emerging as a potential treatment for addiction disorders, including alcohol use disorder. These drugs, initially developed to regulate glucose and control weight, may also influence brain reward pathways, reducing cravings and compulsive behaviors linked to drinking and other addiction-related behaviors.
Video Transcript
Semaglutide and the medications based on semaglutide, Wegovia, Ozempic, et cetera, are held as miracle medications. And with good reason, these new compounds are helping to address some of the most endemic health problems in the United States and around the world, diabetes, obesity, et cetera. Today, there’s increased interest in using these medications or Semaglutide-based medications to treat addictive disorders, substance use disorders.
For the same reason that these medications act on the brain’s reward system to suppress appetite, for example, which helps people to lose weight and help with diabetes, there is some evidence that shows that these medications can also suppress the desire to consume alcohol or other substances, which could represent a major step forward in creating a new tool to help fight addictive disorders. Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are currently in phase two clinical trials with some semaglutide-based medications to see if they are efficacious for the treatment of alcohol use disorder. So that’s incredibly promising news because anytime there’s a medical advancement in the treatment of substance use disorder, we should be encouraged. We also should be cautiously optimistic and remember that any medication is really meant to be used in conjunction with a comprehensive approach to treatment. We believe
that in the treatment of addiction, recovery-oriented systems of care are important. These are bio-psycho-social diseases, and they are not caused by one component, typically. They might be brought on by a genetic predisposition or epigenetic change or predisposition. They could be brought on by a number of sociological factors and environmental factors. And oftentimes, when…
people are treated effectively for substance use disorders, medications may play a role. And particularly if those are helping to treat underlying disorders that are causing pain, for example, or to treat undiagnosed or untreated mental health disorders like anxiety and depression, et cetera. But they are also combined with other forms of therapies and an approach that looks at the family system and the home environment and the work environment to promote ways to help people feel safe, to feel normal, and to not have to rely on substances to get through their day. Oftentimes, there will be underlying trauma, for example, that has to be resolved. There might be family systems or environments that are permissive or promoting of substance use as a normal part of that culture. And so there’s a systemic look at each client and what they’re experiencing. And that systemic approach really needs to apply to the treatment regime as well. And so again, medications can play a powerful role. And if some semaglutide based medications help people not feel as much of a craving for alcohol or other types of substances, that’s a tremendous thing and may be extremely helpful in the pursuit of recovery. But it is not a silver bullet. most behavioral healthcare professionals, I believe, will express that same notion. There really is no one medication, though medications are very helpful that will do the job entirely. We have to look at this as a systemic issue with a holistic approach.
The FDA’s approval of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy for reducing cardiovascular risks in overweight adults dramatically expanded interest in semaglutide and further research into its broader applications. Notably, the potential of GLP-1 drugs in treating addiction disorders, especially alcohol addiction, is under investigation. These drugs modulate the brain’s reward centers, which is why they help to temper appetite and the desire to overeat. The drug’s effective suppression of our reward circuitry leads chemists to believe that it could also help suppress addiction.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry in November 2024 highlighted reduced hospitalization rates for alcohol use disorder among patients treated with semaglutide and liraglutide. This Swedish study analyzed 227,868 individuals with alcohol use disorder, showing a 36% and 28% reduction in hospitalization risk for semaglutide and liraglutide users, respectively. These findings indicate greater effectiveness compared to naltrexone, a current medication for alcohol addiction, which showed a 14% reduction in hospitalization risk.
A phase 2 study with 48 participants with alcohol use disorder and obesity demonstrated that semaglutide significantly reduced alcohol consumption compared to a placebo, supporting its potential role in addiction therapy. Beyond alcohol addiction, GLP-1 drugs have also shown promise in reducing opioid overdose risk and tobacco use.
Pharmaceutical giants Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are investigating GLP-1 drugs for addiction treatment. Novo Nordisk is conducting a phase 2 trial on semaglutide’s effects on alcoholic liver disease, with alcohol consumption as a secondary endpoint. Eli Lilly plans large-scale studies in 2025 to validate these promising results.
Despite encouraging data, more focused clinical studies are needed to conclusively establish GLP-1 drugs’ efficacy and safety in alcohol and substance use disorder treatment. Challenges include variability in self-reported outcomes and determining the drugs’ safety for people without obesity or diabetes, given their weight loss effects. Nonetheless, the potential of GLP-1 agonists to revolutionize addiction treatment remains promising. If successful, these drugs could fill a critical gap in addiction therapy, providing a novel approach to reducing cravings and improving outcomes.
Foundry Front Range’s Cautious Optimism
The exploration of GLP-1 receptor agonists, traditionally used in treating diabetes and obesity, as potential treatments for addiction disorders is a fascinating development in behavioral healthcare. At Foundry Front Range, we are committed to delivering the best in addiction treatment through evidence-based approaches individualized to the needs of our clients. While this exploration of GLP-1 drugs is promising, we remain cautiously optimistic and assert that all forms of substance use disorder treatment should be comprehensive and include a rounded care regime that addresses all life domains.
Substance use disorders are complex, requiring comprehensive treatment approaches. The discovery that a drug class primarily used for metabolic issues could modulate brain reward pathways provides a glimpse into new therapies for alcohol rehab and other substance use disorder treatments. However, rigorous validation is needed to ensure efficacy and safety for patients without the metabolic conditions these drugs were originally developed to treat.
Alcohol Rehab Should Be Comprehensive – There Are No Silver Bullets
Medications may play a tremendously helpful role in recovery and the treatment of underlying and co-occurring health conditions for patients experiencing substance use disorders. However, most people seeking recovery require a broad range of therapies — which can include medication — to reduce and resolve potential causes for the reliance on substances and to develop ways to feel normal, supported, and happy without substance use.
Get Help with Alcohol Use Disorder (alcoholism)
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol misuse and cannot stop drinking despite wanting to, please get in touch with us or another treatment provider. Alcohol use disorder is a life-threatening condition that has severe negative effects on all aspects of physical and mental health. Please get help.
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