Ozempic, initially developed for diabetes and weight management, has shown surprising potential in reducing opioid overdoses and alcohol-related hospitalizations, according to new research from Loyola University.
Ozempic, and its counterpart Wegovy, have become household names for their ability to help with weight loss. Both drugs are built around semaglutide, a compound that mimics a hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate appetite and blood sugar. By activating specific receptors in the brain, semaglutide makes users feel fuller for longer, which curbs overeating. However, its effects on the brain go beyond hunger, linking it to areas associated with reward and addiction, sparking curiosity about whether it could influence substance abuse behaviors as well.
To dig deeper into this, researchers examined over 1.3 million patients with histories of opioid and alcohol use disorders. Out of these, more than 13,000 were prescribed Ozempic or similar drugs. The study found a 40 percent lower rate of opioid overdoses and a 50 percent drop in hospitalizations for alcohol intoxication among those taking these medications compared to those who weren’t. The findings have led to speculation that GLP-1-based drugs might offer unexpected protective benefits for people battling addiction.
Matt Field, a psychology professor from the University of Sheffield, weighed in on the results on Newsweek: “This study suggests that patients with heroin or alcohol addiction who are prescribed Ozempic (typically for diabetes or obesity) are less likely to be hospitalized for heroin overdose or alcohol intoxication, respectively.” Field added, though, that the cases in the study reflect the most severe forms of substance abuse—like overdose or hospitalization—and don’t necessarily give the full picture of how these medications might impact overall addiction behavior.
One limitation, as Field pointed out, is that this study didn’t look at whether the patients reduced their substance use or quit entirely. “The outcomes are very different from those used when testing new addiction treatments, which typically focus on whether a person stops using the substance altogether or significantly cuts down”. It remains unclear if Ozempic helps users cut back or abstain, or simply prevents the worst outcomes, like overdose.
The researchers also acknowledged that their study was observational, meaning they couldn’t definitively prove the medications caused the reduced risk of hospitalization. Still, they see this as a promising lead for further research into how GLP-1 mimics might aid in addiction treatment.
