A new study suggests that GLP-1 medications, which have transformed the treatment of obesity and diabetes, may also help reduce the risk of substance abuse.
Published a day ago in the British Medical Journal, the analysis reviewed electronic health records of over 600,000 US Veterans Affairs patients living with diabetes. The Veterans Affairs system provides care for individuals who have previously served in the US military.
Researchers found that patients taking GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro were less likely to develop dependence on alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, opioids, and other addictive substances.
The study also indicated that among patients with a history of substance use, GLP-1 medication use was associated with lower risks of hospitalisation, overdose, and death.
These findings highlight a potential additional benefit of GLP-1 drugs beyond metabolic health, offering hope for reducing substance-related harms in vulnerable populations.
