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A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) suggests that semaglutide—widely known as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for obesity—may also help individuals reduce their alcohol consumption. The findings, published in JAMA Psychiatry, indicate that the weekly medication significantly decreased alcohol cravings, drinking quantity, and the frequency of heavy drinking days compared to a placebo.
Addressing a Critical Treatment Gap
The discovery could have significant public health implications, as excessive alcohol consumption is linked to numerous health issues, including liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, alcohol-related deaths contribute to an estimated 178,000 fatalities annually in the United States. Despite nearly a third of American adults meeting the criteria for problem drinking at some point in their lives, very few seek or receive treatment.
Observational Reports Confirmed by Clinical Trials
Many patients and doctors have anecdotally reported reduced alcohol cravings among individuals using Ozempic and similar drugs for diabetes or weight loss. This study marks the first randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to scientifically evaluate this phenomenon.
Lead researcher Christian Hendershot, Director of Clinical Research at USC’s Institute for Addiction Research, emphasized the significance of the findings.
“Two drugs currently approved to reduce alcohol consumption aren’t widely used. The popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists increases the chances of broad adoption of these treatments for alcohol use disorder,” Hendershot stated. “Reduced alcohol intake is associated with improved health outcomes. These results justify larger studies of GLP-1 receptor agonists for alcohol use disorder.”
The Experiment: Testing the Effects of Semaglutide
The trial included 48 adults diagnosed with alcohol use disorder who were not actively seeking treatment. Participants had a history of excessive alcohol consumption, defined as more than seven standard drinks per week for women and 14 for men, along with at least two recent episodes of heavy drinking.
To establish a baseline, researchers invited participants to a controlled laboratory setting, where they were allowed to consume their preferred alcoholic beverages over a two-hour period. Their drinking behavior was documented. Following this session, participants were randomly assigned to receive either weekly, low-dose injections of Ozempic or a placebo for nine weeks, with their weekly alcohol consumption closely monitored. At the end of the study, participants returned to the lab to repeat the drinking test.
Promising Results
The results demonstrated that those receiving semaglutide injections exhibited significantly reduced alcohol cravings and consumed fewer drinks per drinking day. Notably, the magnitude of semaglutide’s effects on drinking reduction was greater than typically observed with existing medications for alcohol use disorder, despite the use of a low clinical dose.
In the final month of treatment, participants in the semaglutide group reported fewer heavy drinking days. Nearly 40% of them experienced no heavy drinking days at all, compared to only 20% in the placebo group. Additionally, a subset of participants who smoked cigarettes also showed a greater reduction in daily cigarette consumption when treated with semaglutide.
Senior study author Klara Klein of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine highlighted the potential impact of these findings.
“These data suggest the potential of semaglutide and similar drugs to fill an unmet need for the treatment of alcohol use disorder,” said Klein. “Larger and longer studies in broader populations are needed to fully understand the safety and efficacy in people with alcohol use disorder, but these initial findings are promising.”
Looking Ahead
Given the widespread use of semaglutide for diabetes and obesity, its potential benefits for alcohol use disorder could lead to broader adoption and improved treatment options. Future studies will be necessary to further explore its effectiveness and long-term safety for individuals struggling with excessive alcohol consumption.
Disclaimer: This article is based on scientific research and is not intended as medical advice. Individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder should consult a healthcare professional before considering any new treatment. Semaglutide is not currently approved for treating alcohol use disorder, and its use for this purpose should be under the guidance of a medical professional.
