Can GLP-1 Medications Like Semaglutide Help Treat Alcohol Use Disorder?
By Paul Kolodzik, MD, FACEP, FASAM
Medical Director, North Dayton Addiction and Recovery
A New Frontier in Addiction Treatment: GLP-1s for Alcohol Cravings
For decades, alcohol use disorder (AUD) has been treated with behavioral therapy, 12-step programs, and a small group of FDA-approved medications such as naltrexone and acamprosate. But now, a newer class of medications originally designed for diabetes and weight loss—GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)—is showing promising effects on alcohol craving and consumption.
These drugs may represent a new option for individuals seeking help for binge drinking, heavy alcohol use, or alcohol dependence, especially when traditional treatments have been ineffective or poorly tolerated.
What Are GLP-1 Medications?
GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic a hormone involved in insulin release and appetite regulation. Commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, these medications act on areas of the brain involved in reward, motivation, and impulsivity—systems that are also heavily implicated in alcohol use disorder.
Researchers believe this overlap may explain why patients taking GLP-1 medications for other reasons have reported reduced interest in drinking, even without trying to quit.
What Does the Research Say?
✅ Human Studies Suggest GLP-1s Reduce Alcohol Use
While the use of GLP-1s for AUD or alcohlism is considered off-label, several human studies and clinical trials have explored this application with encouraging results.
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2022 Double-Blind Human Study — University of Gothenburg (Sweden)
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial using exenatide, an older GLP-1 medication, showed that participants with alcohol use disorder reduced their heavy drinking days and overall alcohol consumption significantly compared to placebo.
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2023 Semaglutide Trial — Clinical Trial in Progress (NCT05406885)
A U.S.-based study is currently recruiting participants to evaluate semaglutide’s impact on alcohol use over 12 weeks. The trial aims to measure both changes in alcohol consumption and neural activity related to alcohol cues using fMRI scans.
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Real-World Observational Reports
Many patients on GLP-1 medications for weight loss or diabetes have reported unexpected declines in alcohol cravings. These findings, while anecdotal, are now being examined systematically through structured research. I have seen this personally in my medical practice, with significant reductions in both cravings for alcohol and actual drink intake in my patients.
I have also combined the use of GLP-1s with another medication that is FDA-Approved for alcohol use disorder – naltrexone. This combination can achieve great success in reducing and even eliminating alcohol use.
How Might GLP-1s Reduce Alcohol Cravings?
GLP-1 agonists act on the mesolimbic reward system, particularly the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area, both of which are central to the development and maintenance of addiction.
These medications are thought to:
- Reduce the dopaminergic reward from alcohol
- Increase impulse control
- Diminish cue-triggered cravings (e.g., social drinking triggers)
- Improve blood glucose regulation, which may stabilize mood and reduce triggers for alcohol use
Limitations and Future Research
It is important to note that GLP-1s are not yet FDA-approved for alcohol use disorder, and their use in this setting remains off-label. While early results are promising, more large-scale, long-term studies are needed to establish safety, efficacy, dosing, and which patient populations may benefit most.
Ongoing studies in the U.S. and Europe aim to answer these questions and may lead to broader adoption of GLP-1s as a formal option for alcohol treatment.
Who Might Consider GLP-1 Treatment for Alcohol Use?
Patients who may be good candidates include:
- Those with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder, alcoholism or binge drinking disorder
- Individuals who have not responded to traditional medications like naltrexone
- People with co-occurring obesity or metabolic syndrome
- Patients motivated to reduce drinking but struggling with cravings
Treatment should always be discussed and managed under the care of a licensed physician familiar with addiction medicine and GLP-1 pharmacology.
Learn More About Treatment Options
At North Dayton Addiction and Recovery, we monitor emerging treatments closely and offer evidence-based care for alcohol use disorder via telemedicine in Ohio, Indiana Florida, or Arizona.
Dr. Kolodzik has treated hundreds of patients with GLP-1 medications and seen remarkable reductions in alcohol use in many of his patients with a history of problematic drinking.
To find out whether GLP-1 therapy may be appropriate in your recovery journey, visit
🌐 NorthDaytonAddictionAndRecovery.com
to contact us to schedule a consultation.
