The large study analyzed more than 500,000 people with a history of opioid use disorders and more than 800,000 people with a history of alcohol use disorders. The results showed that people who took Ozempic or similar GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, which are approved to treat conditions such as type 2 diabetes or obesity, were 40% less likely to overdose on opioids and had a reduced risk of becoming drunk. 50% compared with those not taking the medication.
Lead study author Dr. Fares Qeadan, associate professor of public health sciences at Loyola University Chicago, said the research could provide new solutions for treating substance use disorders.
Qeadan told Well+Good: “Traditionally, substance use disorder treatment has focused on directly addressing the symptoms and physiological effects of substance use. However, GLP-1 receptor agonists appear to act on the brain’s reward pathways, potentially reducing the effects of substance use. cravings and the possibility of serious consequences such as overdose and poisoning.
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Qeadan said GLP-1’s accessibility is another positive factor if it becomes a legitimate treatment option for drug abuse.
“There is a stigma attached to some of the existing medications used to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders, and there are also barriers to use for many patients,” Qeadan said. “GLP-1 receptor agonists could provide a more widely accepted treatment alternative. programs that have the potential to improve access to substance use disorders and reduce the stigma of seeking treatment.”
More research is needed to prove that GLP-1 drugs directly reduce the risk of opioid overdose and alcohol poisoning. People seeking these drugs as treatment options must wait for approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“In addition, studies exploring optimal dosage, long-term effects and any potential side effects are also critical,” Qeadan said. “Neuroimaging studies can also help us understand exactly how these drugs interact with reward pathways associated with substance use. Expanding the research to other substance use disorders, such as stimulants or nicotine dependence, will further elucidate the broader applicability of these drugs. sex.
If you suffer from an alcohol or drug abuse disorder, help is available. call Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Hotline at 1-800-662-4357 or visit samhsa.gov for more information and resources.
