The Power of Could Obesity Drugs May Help with Alcohol Cravings

The Power of Could Obesity Drugs May Help with Alcohol Cravings

New research has shed light on the potential benefits of medications commonly used to treat obesity in managing alcohol cravings. The study, funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), suggests that these drugs may help reduce or eliminate the desire to drink alcohol.

The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, involved 48 adults who reported symptoms of alcohol use disorder but were not actively seeking treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a weekly injection of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist commonly used to treat obesity, or a placebo.

Over the course of nine weeks, participants kept track of their drinking habits and desire for alcohol. The results showed that nearly 40% of those who received the semaglutide injection reported no heavy drinking days during the final weeks of the study, compared to just 20% of those who received the placebo. Additionally, the semaglutide group drank roughly half the amount on average, compared to those who got the placebo.

This is promising data, said Dr. Klara Klein, a co-author of the study and an expert in diabetes and obesity treatment. We frequently hear from patients that once they start these medications, their desire to drink is significantly reduced or eliminated.

The drugs work by mimicking hormones in the gut and brain to regulate appetite and feelings of fullness. While more research is needed to confirm these findings and determine the long-term effects of using these drugs for addiction treatment, the results are encouraging.

It's not yet clear how safe these drugs would be for people who don't need to lose weight, cautioned Dr. Klein. However, the potential benefits in managing alcohol cravings make it an area worth exploring further.

The study's findings add to existing evidence from animal studies and reports that suggest GLP-1 receptor agonists may have a role in treating certain addictions, including tobacco and opioid addiction.

As researchers continue to explore the potential of these drugs in treating addiction, there are already three medications approved to treat alcohol use disorder. Until more comprehensive studies can confirm the findings, experts recommend that individuals talk to their doctor about what's currently available.

The study's lead author, Christian Hendershot, an addiction researcher at the University of Southern California, noted, While we don't have all the answers yet, this study provides important information on the potential role of these new medications in treating certain addictions.

The Study's Findings

Nearly 40% of participants who received the semaglutide injection reported no heavy drinking days during the final weeks of the study.
The semaglutide group drank roughly half the amount on average, compared to those who got the placebo.

The Future of Treatment

While more research is needed to confirm these findings and determine the long-term effects of using these drugs for addiction treatment, the results suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists may have a role in treating certain addictions, such as alcohol use disorder.

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