The first evidence of semaglutide’s specific efficacy in alleviating symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in humans has been published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
The paper, titled “Notable Reduction in Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder Through Semaglutide Therapy for Weight Loss: A Case Series,” outlines the results obtained from six patients who underwent semaglutide treatment for weight loss, revealing a significant and noteworthy decrease in their Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores.
Semaglutide – marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy – has gained attention as an FDA-approved medication for weight loss and managing diabetes, but also for its potential broader applications. This includes its capacity to influence addictive behaviors, such as reducing cravings for drugs and alcohol.
Previous animal studies involving rodents and monkeys have indicated that semaglutide is associated with substantial reductions in drug and alcohol consumption. Moreover, numerous patients prescribed the drug for diabetes and weight loss have reported significant decreases in their desire to consume alcohol.
This publication highlights a recent partnership between clinicians and researchers at the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine and Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.
Dr. Jesse Richards, the lead author and director of Obesity Medicine, as well as an assistant professor of Medicine at OU-TU School of Community Medicine, commented, “This research represents a significant advancement in our comprehension of semaglutide’s potential therapeutic applications in the realm of addiction medicine.”
