Recent research suggests that weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Zepbound may offer additional health benefits beyond their primary purpose of aiding weight loss. A study published in the journal Addiction indicates that individuals with substance-use disorders who take these drugs are less likely to experience opioid overdoses or alcohol intoxication compared to those who do not use the medications.
The findings add to a growing body of research exploring the broader health impacts of these medications, which target hormones known as incretins. These hormones play a role in appetite regulation, digestion, diabetes management, and potentially influence heart health, sleep, and brain circuits associated with satisfaction and reward.
The latest study specifically examined the relationship between opioid and alcohol-use disorders and modern weight-loss drugs, which include semaglutide (found in Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (in Mounjaro and Zepbound). Researchers analyzed health records from over 1.3 million patients across 136 health systems in the United States. All participants had either an opioid or alcohol-use disorder, with some prescribed the weight-loss medications.
The results were notable: individuals with opioid-use disorders who received the medications experienced a 40% reduction in opioid overdose incidents during the study period compared to those who did not take the drugs. Similarly, participants with alcohol-use disorders who were prescribed the medications showed a 50% lower incidence of alcohol intoxication.
“This suggests that [the drugs’] beneficial effects on addiction-related behaviors may extend beyond their traditional role in managing weight or diabetes,” said Fares Qeadan, lead author of the study and an associate professor of biostatistics at Loyola University Chicago.
The biological rationale behind these findings lies in the GLP-1 and GIP hormone systems, which are involved in the brain’s reward circuits. These circuits influence feelings of satisfaction and are implicated in both food consumption and various addictive behaviors. Previous animal studies have indicated that rodents treated with these medications reduced their consumption of alcohol and other addictive substances.
While the current study highlights a potential association between these weight-loss drugs and reduced addiction outcomes, researchers stress the need for further human studies to validate these effects. Rigorous clinical trials that monitor drug dosages alongside reductions in opioid and alcohol use could clarify the medications’ effectiveness in treating addictions. Additionally, brain-imaging studies may further illuminate how these drugs influence addictive behaviors.
As more research emerges regarding these weight-loss medications, their potential benefits could extend beyond individuals with diabetes or obesity. If future studies support these findings, a broader range of patients may benefit from these innovative drugs, enhancing the tools available to healthcare providers in addressing various health challenges.