GLP-1 Diabetes and Weight-Loss Drugs Linked to Lower Risk of Substance Use Disorders
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A large study of U.S. veterans with type 2 diabetes found that those taking GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Mounjaro had a significantly lower risk of developing new substance use disorders compared to those on other diabetes medications. Among patients who already had a substance use disorder, GLP-1 use was associated with dramatically fewer overdoses, hospitalizations, and drug-related deaths. The findings, published in The BMJ, suggest these widely used medications may have a protective effect against addiction.
Facts First
- GLP-1 users had a 14% lower risk of developing any new substance use disorder compared to those on other diabetes drugs.
- Among patients with existing addiction, GLP-1 use was linked to a 40% reduction in overdoses and a 50% reduction in drug-related deaths.
- The study analyzed health records of over 600,000 U.S. veterans with type 2 diabetes over three years.
- GLP-1 receptors are present in brain regions involved in reward processing, which may explain the observed effects.
What Happened
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis analyzed electronic health records from 606,434 U.S. veterans with type 2 diabetes. Participants were divided into two groups: those without a substance use disorder at the start and those with a diagnosed substance use disorder. The team reviewed up to three years of records for participants taking either a GLP-1 receptor agonist (most commonly semaglutide, liraglutide, or dulaglutide) or an SGLT2 inhibitor, a different class of diabetes medication.
Among 524,817 participants without a substance use disorder, GLP-1 users had a 14% lower risk of developing any substance use disorder compared to those taking non-GLP-1 diabetes medications. Specifically, GLP-1 users showed lower risks for developing alcohol (18%), cannabis (14%), cocaine (20%), nicotine (20%), and opioid (25%) use disorders. Researchers estimated that GLP-1 use resulted in seven fewer new substance use disorder diagnoses per 1,000 users.
Among 81,617 participants who already had a substance use disorder, GLP-1 use was associated with a 30% reduction in emergency department visits, a 25% reduction in hospitalizations, a 40% reduction in overdoses, and a 50% reduction in drug-related deaths after three years. Researchers estimated GLP-1 use was associated with 12 fewer serious addiction-related events per 1,000 users.
Why this Matters to You
If you or someone you know is taking a GLP-1 medication for diabetes or weight loss, this research suggests these drugs may offer an unexpected benefit beyond blood sugar control and weight management. The findings indicate they could help reduce the risk of developing new addictions to substances like alcohol, nicotine, or opioids. For individuals already struggling with addiction, the data suggests GLP-1 use might be associated with significantly fewer dangerous events like overdoses and hospitalizations, which could lead to improved health outcomes and safety.
What's Next
The researchers noted that the findings do not represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the U.S. government. The study was observational, meaning it shows an association but cannot prove GLP-1 drugs cause the reduced addiction risks. Further research is likely needed to confirm these effects and understand the biological mechanisms, given that GLP-1 receptors are present in brain regions involved in reward processing. These findings could open new avenues for research into using GLP-1 medications as part of addiction treatment strategies.