Drugs called GLP-1 medicines, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, were first made for type‑2 diabetes and weight loss. Recent studies show they might also help stop people from becoming addicted to many substances.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine looked at health records from more than 600,000 U.S. veterans with diabetes. They compared people who took a GLP‑1 drug with those who used a different diabetes medicine.
Lower Chances of New Addictions
Among the 524,000 veterans who did not have an addiction at the start, the GLP‑1 group was less likely to develop one later. Their risk dropped about 14% overall. The drop was seen for alcohol (‑18%), cannabis (‑14%), cocaine (‑20%), nicotine (‑20%) and opioids (‑25%). That works out to roughly seven fewer new addiction diagnoses per 1,000 users.
Fewer Overdoses and Deaths
For the 81,000 veterans who already had an addiction, GLP‑1 use was linked to big improvements. Over three years, these patients had 30% fewer emergency‑room visits, 25% fewer hospital stays, 40% fewer overdoses, and 50% fewer drug‑related deaths. That equals about twelve serious events avoided per 1,000 users.
Why It Might Work
GLP‑1 receptors are found in brain areas that control reward and cravings. The medicine may calm the “craving signal” that pushes people toward alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, or food. By quieting this signal, the drug could help many addictions at once, not just one specific substance.
What Comes Next
Millions of Americans already take GLP‑1 drugs for diabetes or obesity. If future clinical trials confirm these early findings, doctors could have a new tool to treat addiction alongside other health problems. Researchers say more studies are needed to test the drugs specifically for addiction, overdose prevention, and survival.
This research was funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The funders did not influence the study design, data analysis, or publication decisions.