Can Ozempic cure Addiction?

GLP-1 drugs protect against new or worsening addictions, large study shows​


REUTERS By Nancy Lapid Mar-04-2026 6:30 p.m. ET

* GLP-1 drugs reduced substance use disorders in patientswith type 2 diabetes.

* GLP-1 users had lower odds of new disorders or adverse outcomes of existing disorders.

* Effect was seen across broad range of addictive substances.

March 4 (Reuters) - Ozempic, Mounjaro and other GLP-1drugs for diabetes can prevent the formation of new substanceuse disorders and alleviate existing addictions, according tofindings from a large study of U.S. military veterans.

The protective effect was seen across a wide variety of addictive and habit-forming substances, including cocaine,opioids, alcohol, nicotine and cannabis, adding further evidence to a phenomenon previously flagged in smaller studies.

"That breadth was quite a surprise," said Dr. Ziyad Al-Alyof the VA Saint Louis Health Care System in Missouri, who led the study published in The BMJ. "In addiction medicine, there's not a single drug that works across all these substances."

His team used a U.S. Veterans Affairs database to identify patients with type 2 diabetes treated with drugs from two different classes of medicines: GLP-1s such as Eli Lilly's (LLY)Trulicity or Mounjaro, and Novo Nordisk's Victoza or Ozempic; and SGLT-2 inhibitors such as Jardiance from Boehringer Ingelheim and Farxiga from AstraZeneca (AZN). They then compared them in simulated randomized trials.

For the most part, study participants were not taking the higher-dose GLP-1 drugs used to treat obesity.

The 124,001 participants without a history of substance abuse who were taking GLP-1 drugs had 14% lower odds of developing a new substance use disorder over the following three years than the 400,816 similar patients prescribed SGLT-2inhibitors.

GLP-1 drugs reduced the odds of new alcohol use disorders by 18%, cannabis use disorders by 14%, cocaine use by 20%, nicotine use by 26%, and opioid use by 25%, the researchers found.

Among 81,617 patients with existing substance use disorders, the odds of related emergency department visits during the next three years were 31% lower for those on GLP-1s. GLP-1 drugs also reduced related hospital admissions by 26% versus the SGLT-2s, and reduced related deaths by 50%, drug overdoses by 39%, and suicidal ideation or attempt by 25%.

COMMON BIOLOGIC PATHWAY

Doctors are taught that "if a patient has an addiction to substance A, you give them the antidote for substance A, such asa nicotine patch for tobacco, or naltrexone for alcohol," Al-Alysaid.

"But here, you have this drug that is working across all addictive substances," he continued. "That's telling us that there is likely a common biologic pathway that is driving all of these addictions that is indeed druggable or treatable byGLP-1."

The proteins on brain cells that receive chemical signals from GLP-1 drugs, known as GLP-1 receptors, are found in an area called the mesolimbic system that is responsible for motivation and reward signaling, Al-Aly noted.

The GLP-1 drugs are likely acting in the mesolimbic system to "put the lid on cravings" by silencing the noise in people's brains that drive them toward overuse of foods or drugs, he said.

The researchers said they don't know whether the effects will persist when people have been taking the drugs for many years, or whether the brain will adapt and the GLP-1 effects will weaken.

"We're very interested in fleshing this out and trying to understand this concept a little bit more," Al-Aly said.

The VA itself is planning a large, traditional clinical trial testing semaglutide, the main ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, in U.S. veterans with alcohol use disorder.

"For patients with type 2 diabetes who also live with (or are at risk of) a substance use disorder, the key message is not to wait for a single 'magic bullet," Fares Qeadan of Loyola University in Chicago wrote in an editorial published with the study.

"These results suggest that when GLP-1 receptor agonists are clinically indicated for cardio-metabolic reasons, potential benefits for substance related outcomes may be an added consideration in shared decision making."

(Reporting by Nancy Lapid; Editing by Bill Berkrot
 
From what I have read I think there is a very good chance GLP's will end up the first line treatment for a lot of addiction problems. The evidence is definitely not there yet, but there are a lot of studies showing reduction in alcohol use, opioid overdoses, not sure about meth or cocaine in humans but it works in rodent models. What is needed is specific prospective trials of GLP's for addictions rather than post hoc statistical analyses.
 
I think GLPs are a helpful tool in quitting anything that causes cravings.

I tried for years to kick the habit of wine with everything, and nothing removed the desire until a couple of years ago when I signed up for a clinical trial of 2 high doses of psilocybin. At the time I was also on my partner's Ozempic, and I'm certain it helped to play a role. It worked like a charm. You don't want it anymore, feel zero sense of loss, and sympathize for those still caught in the poison trap.
 
DunningKruger said:
I think GLPs are a helpful tool in quitting anything that causes cravings.

I tried for years to kick the habit of wine with everything, and nothing removed the desire until a couple of years ago when I signed up for a clinical trial of 2 high doses of psilocybin. At the time I was also on my partner's Ozempic, and I'm certain it helped to play a role. It worked like a charm. You don't want it anymore, feel zero sense of loss, and sympathize for those still caught in the poison trap.
Click to expand...
So, long story short, what are you saying ?
 
juGGaKNot said:
So, long story short, what are you saying ?
Click to expand...
My point is that while GLP-1s can help with cravings, combining them with psychedelic therapy goes deeper, it addresses both the physiological craving and the underlying mental patterns. So, together, they’re more than just tools, they’re a strategic pairing when done right.
 
My alcohol addiction is creeping back in my fifth month on GLP-1. Honestly, those first few months GLP-1 was a game changer. I still had cravings, but it kept them under control, down to maybe one drink session a week, and way less per session than before.

Then i messed up during Chinese New Year. Bought a few cartons of beer to save a few bucks, didn’t realize how badly that would backfire. Old habits came roaring back, went from once a week -> twice -> every other day -> now it’s daily.

I've been stuck at 83.2–83.8 kg for two weeks straight now. I'm still eating less, but let's be real , most of my calories are coming from booze now.

I feel pretty awful about it, but i'm gonna hit reset. Giving myself 2–4 weeks off meds, because deep down, i know if i can’t get my act together on my own, no pill or injection is gonna fix this.

TLDR; GLP-1 definitely helps with addiction, but just like weight loss, it's not a magic fix and you still gotta to put in the work.
 
Is there any irony that peptides can treat or possibly cure addiction, and yet I (and apparently many others on this forum) seem addicted to buying years worth of peptides?

It's humorous, if nothing else. Stock up for the future! I'm a prepper, and a pepper!
 
94brian49 said:
My alcohol addiction is creeping back in my fifth month on GLP-1. Honestly, those first few months GLP-1 was a game changer. I still had cravings, but it kept them under control, down to maybe one drink session a week, and way less per session than before.

Then i messed up during Chinese New Year. Bought a few cartons of beer to save a few bucks, didn’t realize how badly that would backfire. Old habits came roaring back, went from once a week -> twice -> every other day -> now it’s daily.

I've been stuck at 83.2–83.8 kg for two weeks straight now. I'm still eating less, but let's be real , most of my calories are coming from booze now.

I feel pretty awful about it, but i'm gonna hit reset. Giving myself 2–4 weeks off meds, because deep down, i know if i can’t get my act together on my own, no pill or injection is gonna fix this.

TLDR; GLP-1 definitely helps with addiction, but just like weight loss, it's not a magic fix and you still gotta to put in the work.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear you’re struggling again with alcohol.

I wonder if a pause on the medications is the best idea. Since in the early part of your treatment you had some success on glp-1 medications with your alcohol use, perhaps your dose is too low now? I’m not aware of any research that suggests that taking a break resets or reactivates receptors. Or that there is any benefit of taking a break.

Take care and hope things getter better for you soon!
 
94brian49 said:
My alcohol addiction is creeping back in my fifth month on GLP-1. Honestly, those first few months GLP-1 was a game changer. I still had cravings, but it kept them under control, down to maybe one drink session a week, and way less per session than before.

Then i messed up during Chinese New Year. Bought a few cartons of beer to save a few bucks, didn’t realize how badly that would backfire. Old habits came roaring back, went from once a week -> twice -> every other day -> now it’s daily.

I've been stuck at 83.2–83.8 kg for two weeks straight now. I'm still eating less, but let's be real , most of my calories are coming from booze now.

I feel pretty awful about it, but i'm gonna hit reset. Giving myself 2–4 weeks off meds, because deep down, i know if i can’t get my act together on my own, no pill or injection is gonna fix this.

TLDR; GLP-1 definitely helps with addiction, but just like weight loss, it's not a magic fix and you still gotta to put in the work.
Click to expand...
If you ever want to talk or need support, you're always welcome to DM me. You are battling a demon I know well. Try not to chastise yourself too much for the slip, it happened, and you have already made a plan. Each slip, and the acknowledgement of them, can get you closer to a better place, even if it doesn't seem like it. One day it goes away, and it's actually easy. It sure as hell doesn't look or feel like it when you're in it though.

If you have no familial history of schizophrenia, I might look into psychedelic therapy in Malaysia. I see Monash University had a symposium on psychedelic medicine there last fall. It may be available, even in clinical trials.
 
Having myself suffered from addiction issues, thankfully a long time ago , unless you want to count peptides, stopping the GLP's for a reset does sound a bit suspiciously like the kind of not very helpful logic brains tend to come up with in those situations, where you want to stop using or drinking , but obviously other parts of you disagree, and you find yourself continuing on drinking or whatever, sometimes the solutions your brain comes up with can be the exact opposite of helpful.
If you are on a low dose of GLP's it might be worth trying to increase doses to see if it helps reduce the desire to drink. I have seen zero science on this unfortunately. It might help by making you too pukey to drink though.
Good luck. You have recently stopped, so you know you can do it, and you can again, you just have to keep trying and eventually it gets easier.
 
Good-Heart6425 said:
www.newyorker.com

Can Ozempic Cure Addiction?

GLP-1 drugs, which have helped some people curb drug and alcohol use, may unlock a pathway to moderation.
www.newyorker.com www.newyorker.com
Click to expand...
As others have said GLPs seem to help with some addictions such as alcohol.

I wouldn't look at any thing external to "cure" you. Curing one's self comes from the internal and external things like peptides are only tools to help you.

It's like building a house; the hammer doesn't build the house, the individual does with their will and drive to do so with only the help of a hammer

Good luck to you
 
@Grogu @DunningKruger @lessthanhalf @itsapinthing
Thanks guys! Yeah i know it doesn't make much sense to take a break on the physical level, but it is more of a mental thing. Because i noticed i have been putting the 'blame' on the meds like why isn't it working anymore, do i need higher dose etc instead of working on the underlying issue. In my logic, pausing would mentally force me to work harder instead of fully relying on the meds.

Yeah, i'm hopeful. What terrified me the first time was that i didn't even know if i could do it. Since i've already done it once before, i believe this time will be much easier.

And just want to put this info out there. I was on Reta 10 mg + Sema 3 mg. I think it was working great in terms of appetite suppression.
And sorry OP for kinda hijacking your post a little here haha.
 
deluge said:
Is there any irony that peptides can treat or possibly cure addiction, and yet I (and apparently many others on this forum) seem addicted to buying years worth of peptides?

It's humorous, if nothing else. Stock up for the future! I'm a prepper, and a pepper!
Click to expand...

someone suggested a few weeks ago that they develop a peptide that stops the urge to hoard peptides, but we'd just hoard whatever that one was.
 
GLP-1s are basically a wonder drug of sorts, I genuinely think they make you a "better person" in a sense that most of us would agree with if pressed.
 
It might even be true, growing up with a father and step father who were alcoholics I might be a bit biased but a lot of alcoholics are kind of assholes. If it helps some of them to not drink it probably does make the world a better place. And addiction does not usually improve peoples' life choices, ethics or behaviour to those around them, so its effects on drug use could do the same. I strongly encouraged my ex to start tirzepatide "to prevent her from getting diabetes as she had impaired glucose tolerance", but really to maybe help her stop drinking, it is not exactly great for the kids.
 
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