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By Lucy Notarantonio
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Drugs originally designed to treat diabetes have become a popular tool for weight loss, with millions of Americans now using GLP-1 medications to shed pounds. But new research suggests one of those drugs could have another potential use.
Researchers at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine in Colorado have found that oral semaglutide—a medication widely prescribed for diabetes and weight loss—reduced heavy drinking in adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD).
According to Statista, one in eight Americans now use GLP-1 medications for weight loss. But a new study, published in The American Journal of Psychiatry, evaluated the oral form of semaglutide, which researchers say may be more appealing to people with AUD than injectable versions that have previously been tested.
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"Interestingly, participants who received semaglutide did not lose weight, suggesting that the reduction in their drinking was independent from weight loss or eating behavior," Joseph Schacht, a clinical psychologist and neuroscientist at the University of Colorado Anschutz, told Newsweek.
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Alcohol Use Disorder Remains Difficult to Treat
According to 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data, 27.1 million adults ages 18 and older had AUD.
AUD is a chronic medical condition in which people have difficulty controlling their alcohol use despite experiencing harmful consequences. The disorder affects millions of people and can impact physical health, mental health, relationships and safety.
Researchers noted that no new medications have been approved for AUD in nearly two decades, highlighting the need for additional treatment approaches.
"This study suggests oral semaglutide may help reduce heavy and harmful drinking, even in people who are not trying to quit alcohol entirely," Joseph Schacht, PhD, associate professor at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine, said in a statement.
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"It could represent a new treatment option for AUD, particularly for those who have not benefited from existing medications, and may reduce alcohol-related health and social harms. Importantly, even reducing heavy drinking can lead to meaningful improvements for patients and families."
Clare Thompson, a general practitioner who leads the weight management service at the Cadogan Clinic in London, confirmed that she has already noticed patients have "naturally" lost interest in alcohol consumption while on this medication.
She told Newsweek: "This was a small, eight-week study involving just 50 participants; it's too early to draw firm conclusions.
"Larger, longer-term trials are needed before semaglutide could be considered a treatment for AUD. However, the results are certainly encouraging and could open the door to an entirely new approach to managing addiction."
What the Study Found
Participants who received oral semaglutide showed several improvements compared with those who received a placebo.
The study found that people taking semaglutide experienced:
- Fewer heavy drinking days.
- Reduced alcohol consumption during drinking occasions.
- Lower day-to-day alcohol cravings.
- Fewer alcohol-related problems.
- Improved overall drinking risk levels.
- Reduced cannabis use days.
While not all measures changed in controlled laboratory settings, researchers said the overall pattern showed consistent reductions in harmful drinking behavior in real-world settings.
Schacht told Newsweek: "We also acquired brain scans (functional MRI) while participants viewed pictures of alcoholic beverages. One theory for the mechanism of action is that semaglutide and other GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce dopamine signaling in reward-related parts of the brain."
Why the Findings Matter
Researchers said the findings could be important for both patients and families affected by AUD.
"Alcohol Use Disorder can affect nearly every part of life, including physical health, mental health, relationships and safety. Many people do not respond to current treatments, highlighting a significant unmet medical need," Schacht said in a statement.
He added that even relatively small reductions in heavy drinking can make a meaningful difference.
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"For families, even modest reductions in heavy drinking can mean greater stability, fewer crises and improved quality of life."
The findings suggest oral semaglutide may help people reduce harmful drinking even if they do not stop drinking completely. Researchers also noted it could provide another treatment option for people who do not respond to existing medications and potentially reduce alcohol-related health, safety and social harms.
Safety and Next Steps
The researchers reported that oral semaglutide was generally well tolerated, with most side effects described as mild.
Participants also showed high adherence and completion rates throughout the trial, suggesting the treatment could be feasible in real-world clinical settings.
However, the researchers cautioned that larger and longer-term studies are needed to confirm the findings and determine the most effective dosing and treatment strategies for AUD.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Kara Dolman and Gray R. Thomas
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