Investigating Semaglutide’s Potential to Alleviate Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder

Semaglutide is a medication that resembles the hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) present in our body. GLP-1 is released right after a meal and helps in maintaining the blood sugar level. This hormone signals our brain to curb appetite and this, in turn, helps in weight loss. Semaglutides provide primary help to people having drinking disorders.

As stated by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a brain disorder when the affected person has a reduced ability to stop or control the use of alcohol despite adverse social, occupational, and health consequences. ⁽¹⁾  According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, above 28 million adults in the U.S. had alcohol use disorder in 2021, which equals about one in ten adults. ⁽¹⁾

Many individuals suffer from alcohol use disorder as they drink more and more alcohol to get high. Ozempic and Wegovy are the Semaglutides that, when taken thoroughly, might help to treat such drinking disorders. The treatment program should also include proper counseling and applications to keep track of their intake.

At present, alcohol use disorder (AUD) has only three drug treatments approved by the FDA. They are acamprosate, naltrexone, and disulfiram. ⁽²⁾

However, in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, a new case series was published on November 27, 2023, that presents new evidence that Semaglutide, which has its common application in the management of diabetes and weight loss, could also be effective in the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). ⁽³⁾

This case series included six patients, who had positively screened for alcohol use disorder. All of them were being treated with semaglutide. However, it was found that these patients incidentally had improvement in the symptoms of their alcohol use disorder (AUD), which was described as “remarkable” in an associated press release from the University of Oklahoma. ⁽⁴⁾

However, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies are essential to verify whether Semaglutide could be a viable treatment for alcohol use disorder. It is believed that Semaglutide has a strong potential to be an effective tool to help treat this disorder.

Semaglutide itself can reduce alcohol consumption. This drug is a synthetic version of GLP-1. These GLP-1 medications are used for treating diabetes and weight loss. However, they also contribute to the neurobiology of addictive behaviors, such as overdrinking. GLP-1 medicines not only work on the stomach but also touch every organ from the heart to the brain.

We know that in addiction, dopamine or the ‘pleasure’ hormone becomes more activated. GLP-1 drugs reduce the release of dopamine, thus making previously ‘rewarding” behaviors, like the overuse of alcohol, far less enjoyable.  Because people no longer like drinking as much, they tend to drink less, and this in, turn, lowers their chances of having alcohol use disorder.

Since alcohol use disorder is not a curable condition ⁽⁵⁾, one needs to remain on Semaglutide throughout their life to keep the symptoms under control.

So, there might be some long-term effects of Semaglutides. The most common side effects include nausea, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal tract disorders. Medullary thyroid cancer could be one of the major long-term side effects of these medications. However, this long-term side effect has been mostly see in lab rats and not humans. It is pretty rare in the case of humans.

So, it can be said that the benefits of Semaglutides outweigh the risks or side effects when it comes to alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol use disorder is a brain disorder characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control the consumption of alcohol despite adverse social, and health consequences. Semaglutide is known to be a remarkable drug that can control the symptoms of alcohol use disorder and help the people keep their alcohol use under control. Although larger studies are required to determine its effects on AUD, experts mention that it is still promising and can be used for controlling alcohol use disorder.

References:

Also Read:

• Ozempic Face: How Semaglutide Affects Facial Fat and Appearance
• Semaglutide” A Breakthrough in Type 1 Diabetes Management? Discover the New Research