New weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are all the rage now. These mediations were originally developed to treat type II diabetes. But their ability help people lose weight by shutting down food cravings and reward pathways in the brain leads many to call them “miracle drugs”. Recent research even finds that they decrease alcohol use. Drugs like Ozempic for alcohol use disorder may even lead to promising treatments.
These glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have a few different effects. But for the purpose of eating behaviors and drinking, they appear to decrease activation of food signals in the brain. They also appear to limit the sense of reward we may get from certain foods. These effects are pronounced for high sugar and high calorie foods.
Research continues to show negative effects of sugar on so many aspects of our health. Weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, inflammation, depression and anxiety, substance abuse, and even certain types of cancer (to name a few). If these medications prevent these problems in the first place, you can start to see how beneficial this is.
A systematic review of studies by researchers in Great Britain found certain GLP-1s reduced alcohol use by up to 29%. The review also notes observed changes in alcohol-related health effects for those taking certain GLP-1s.
GLP-1s appear to limit the sense of reward that many study participants receive from alcohol consumption. Alcohol is more or less fermented sugars, so this may contribute to that appeal. Research on these effects is still in relative infancy, so we are still learning more.
It is unclear whether GLP-1s may benefit individuals with milder forms of alcohol abuse. That is, those who experience relatively fewer cravings and reward signals. However, other individual difference factors (or “moderators”, to nerd it out) may influence the strength of this relationship. It is also unclear whether combining GLP-1s like Ozempic for alcohol abuse with behavioral substance abuse treatments will prove beneficial.
These effects are promising either way. But like anything in life, it appears prudent to not call these medications perfect. This is especially the case for eating disordered behaviors. Recent research shows GLP-1s may lose their beneficial effects for those who score high in emotional eating.
GLP-1s like Ozempic for alcohol misuse add to the list of benefits of new weight loss medications. But they are not perfect and it may be a while before we see these rolled out as an official treatment for alcohol use disorder. Holding a little hope for our substance abuse clients ain’t bad though!
