A popular weight-loss drug may also help curb alcohol use, according to a new study. The drug, semaglutide, targets the hormone GLP-1, which is found in the gut and the brain’s reward system. This system is stimulated by drinking alcohol, and receptors for GLP-1 are also found on cells in this area.
GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce appetite. They also appear to reduce cravings for opioids and alcohol, including heavy drinking in adults with moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder.
Study Findings
In a University of Colorado study, participants who took oral semaglutide reported fewer heavy drinking days than the control group who was given a placebo. When they did drink, they consumed less alcohol. The semaglutide group also reported fewer cravings for alcohol and less cannabis use than the control group.
Fifty men and women were enrolled in the study. The men said they had about 28 or more drinks a week in the month before they enrolled and the women said they had about 21 or more drinks a week. They also reported one heavy drinking day, when the men had five or more drinks and the women had four or more, in the week before they enrolled.
About half of the participants were randomized to the treatment group. They received three milligrams of oral semaglutide a day for four weeks followed by seven milligrams a day for four weeks. The other half, the control group, received a placebo for the eight-week study period.
Implications of the Study
Oral semaglutide was well tolerated, and most of the side effects reported were mild, the researchers said. The study’s findings suggest that semaglutide could represent a new treatment option for those with alcohol use disorder, particularly those who have not benefitted from existing medications.
Alcohol use disorder comes at great personal cost, affecting many parts of people’s lives, including their physical and mental health, relationships, and safety. Even modest reductions in heavy drinking can mean greater stability, fewer crises, and an improved quality of life for people with alcohol use disorder and their families.
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The study is published in The American Journal of Psychiatry. As researchers continue to explore the potential of semaglutide in treating alcohol use disorder, it’s clear that this drug may have a significant impact on the lives of those affected by this condition.
Joseph Schacht, first author on the study, said in a statement, “Oral semaglutide could represent a new treatment option for those with alcohol use disorder, particularly those who have not benefitted from existing medications.”
Broader Context
Considering the limited treatment options available for alcohol use disorder, the discovery of a potential new treatment is noteworthy. It highlights the need for continued research into the underlying mechanisms of this condition and the development of effective treatments.
In the context of the study, it’s worth recognizing that semaglutide’s effects on alcohol use disorder are likely related to its impact on the brain’s reward system. Researchers gain a deeper understanding of this relationship, they may uncover new avenues for treating this condition.
The semaglutide group had fewer problems related to their drinking, said Schacht, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School. This reduction in problems is a significant finding, as it suggests that semaglutide may be able to help individuals with alcohol use disorder achieve greater stability in their lives.
They are working to help individuals with alcohol use disorder through new treatments.
Research into alcohol use disorder is ongoing, with a focus on developing effective treatments, including lasting change for those affected.
