According to a new American study, the use of weight loss medications may significantly reduce addiction to substances such as cocaine and alcohol, as well as the risk of deaths caused by them.
According to research published in the medical journal BMJ, popular drugs known as GLP-1 agonists can reduce the risk of deaths caused by harmful substances by nearly 50 percent. However, some experts have advised caution in interpreting the results because the study does not directly prove a cause and effect relationship.
Experts say more clinical trials are needed in this regard.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic have brought major changes in the treatment of diabetes and obesity. At the same time, these medications have also shown potential in helping with various health issues, including substance addiction.
American researchers reviewed the medical records of more than 600,000 patients with type 2 diabetes available in the healthcare database of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. These individuals had either used GLP-1 medications or taken older types of diabetes drugs.
Researchers also examined the effects of various substances including alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and nicotine over a period of three years.
According to the results, among veterans who already had substance addiction, the death rate was 50 percent lower among those taking GLP-1 medications, while overdose incidents were found to be 40 percent lower.
Similarly, the rate of visits to emergency departments was less than 30 percent, while hospital admissions and suicidal thoughts or attempts also showed a decrease of about 25 percent.
On the other hand, among veterans who had never experienced substance addiction, the use of GLP-1 medications was associated with a 14 percent lower risk of developing addiction in the future.
Experts at the University of Washington said it was quite surprising that GLP-1 medications appeared to be associated with preventing addiction to various types of substances.
According to experts, this effect was not limited to a single substance but was observed across almost all addictive substances. However, the study is observational in nature, so it does not directly prove that the results are caused by these medications.
It is also not yet clear how these appetite-suppressing drugs may affect substance addiction, although some experts believe they may influence the brain’s reward or pleasure system.
Researchers also pointed out that most of the individuals included in the study were older white men, although the results appeared to be almost similar among women as well.
Some experts say the effects are practical in nature rather than revolutionary.
In an editorial published in BMJ, experts said policymakers should avoid prematurely promoting narratives such as using Ozempic for addiction treatment.
According to them, even if future clinical trials confirm that these medications are effective against substance addiction, their high cost and limited availability in many countries around the world will remain a major issue.
