Researchers Discover Potential of Ozempic in Treating Substance Abuse
Study Suggests GLP-1 Drugs May Help Reduce Opioid Use Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder
Researchers from Loyola University Chicago have added to the growing evidence suggesting that medications like Ozempic can treat substance abuse. Ozempic, which mimics the body’s naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone to make people feel full and eat less, treats diabetes and can spur weight loss.
Governing the Growing Epidemic of Substance Abuse
An estimated 6.1 million Americans 12 and older reported having opioid use disorder in 2022, while 28.9 million recently admitted to having alcohol use disorder.
New Study Results
The researchers found that opioid use disorder patients taking a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic had a 40% lower rate of opioid overdose than those without a prescription. People with alcohol use disorder cut their rate of intoxication in half with a GLP-1, the researchers determined.
Large-Scale Study Provides Encouraging Results
The study involved 1.3 million participants, including 13,700 taking Ozempic or a similar drug. The findings were published in the scientific journal Addiction.
How GLP-1 Drugs May Help
Researchers suggested that GLP-1 drugs may alter the reward-response pathways in the brain linked to substance use. These types of medications interact with the mesolimbic system – a major reward center in the brain that overlaps with the brain processes that govern addictive behaviors.
Pharmaceutical Company’s Response
The US Food and Drug Administration approved Ozempic in 2017 to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults and Wegovy in 2021 for adult weight loss. Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical giant that manufactures Ozempic and its sister drug Wegovy, was reached out to for comment.
Personal Accounts of Success
A Las Vegas mom and real estate agent, Christie Martin, told "Good Morning America" last year that she lost her desire to drink after getting Ozempic injections. "I have no desire to drink wine anymore. And that’s crazy to me because I couldn’t stop before," she shared.
Conclusion
The study’s findings suggest that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic may have the potential to reduce substance abuse. With an estimated 6.1 million Americans suffering from opioid use disorder and 28.9 million from alcohol use disorder, these results may have significant implications for treatment and rehabilitation.
FAQs
Q: What is Ozempic and how does it work?
A: Ozempic is a medication that mimics the body’s naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone to make people feel full and eat less, treating diabetes and potentially spurring weight loss.
Q: What are the potential benefits of using Ozempic for substance abuse treatment?
A: The study suggests that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic may alter the reward-response pathways in the brain linked to substance use, potentially reducing opioid and alcohol use disorders.
Q: Is Ozempic approved for treating substance abuse?
A: No, but it is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults and adult weight loss.
