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Weight Loss Drugs Show Promise in Treating Addiction, New Research Reveals

KVIA•Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 11:30 PM•CNN Newsource

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Recent studies suggest that GLP-1 medications, commonly prescribed for weight loss and diabetes, may also be effective in treating substance-use disorders. These drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, have shown potential in reducing the incidence of various addictions and even lowering drug overdose deaths by 50%. A significant analysis involving over 600,000 patients from the VA indicates that GLP-1 users are less likely to develop substance-use disorders compared to those on other diabetes medications. As interest in this area grows, upcoming clinical trials are expected to provide more definitive answers within the next six months, particularly regarding alcohol-use disorder.

Key Details: • Over 600,000 patients were analyzed in a study published in the BMJ. • GLP-1 medications may reduce the risk of developing substance-use disorders by about 7 per 1,000 patients. • The study indicated a 50% reduction in drug-related deaths among those with existing substance-use disorders. • Upcoming clinical trials will focus on the efficacy of GLP-1 drugs for addiction treatment in the next six months.

health research medications addiction substance-use

People & Organizations

Dr. W. Kyle SimmonsDr. Daniel DruckerDr. Ziyad Al-AlyDr. Christian HendershotDr. Caleb AlexanderWashington University School of MedicineVA St. Louis Health Care SystemUS Department of Veterans AffairsJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

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