New Evidence Highlights GLP-1 Medications as a Potential Aid in Combating Alcohol Abuse

Recent studies continue to uncover new benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), the same medications that have helped many people lose weight. These findings suggest that these diabetes and weight-loss drugs may also help reduce problem drinking.

A new study from Britain adds to the growing evidence supporting this idea.

Recent findings show that this type of diabetes medication shows promise in reducing alcohol consumption, potentially by targeting the brain’s reward center.

The study found this effect to be most pronounced in individuals who were both heavy drinkers and obese, with a body mass index (BMI) over 30.

What Are GLP-1 Medications?

GLP-1 RAs, such as semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy), exenatide (Byetta), dulaglutide (Trulicity), and liraglutide (Victoza), are commonly prescribed for diabetes and weight loss. These medications work by influencing the brain’s reward pathways, which could explain their potential to curb alcohol consumption.