A brand new examine revealed right this moment in Dependancy means that Ozempic and comparable drugs might be able to assist with remedy for opioid and alcohol use problems.

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Fares Qeadan

The big examine analyzed extra 500,000 folks with a historical past of opioid use dysfunction and greater than 800,000 with alcohol use dysfunction. Outcomes present that those that took Ozempic or an identical GLP-1 receptor agonist drug (that are accredited to deal with circumstances akin to kind 2 diabetes or weight problems) had a 40 p.c decrease likelihood of overdosing on opioids and a 50 p.c decrease threat of getting drunk in comparison with those that didn’t take the remedy.

Lead analysis writer Fares Qeadan, PhD, an affiliate professor of public well being sciences at Loyola College Chicago, says this analysis might provide a brand new answer for treating substance use problems.

“Historically, substance use dysfunction therapies deal with addressing the signs and physiological results of substance use straight,” Qeadan tells Properly+Good. “GLP-1 receptor agonists, nonetheless, seem to work on the mind’s reward pathways, probably decreasing cravings and the probability of extreme outcomes like overdose and intoxication.”

Qeadan says the accessibility of GLP-1s is one other constructive issue in the event that they turn into a authentic remedy possibility for substance use.

“There’s a stigma surrounding a few of the present drugs used to deal with opioid and alcohol use problems, together with entry limitations for a lot of sufferers,” Qeadan says. “GLP-1 receptor agonists might present a extra extensively accepted remedy different, probably bettering entry and decreasing stigma round looking for remedy for substance use problems.”

Extra analysis is important to show that GLP-1 drugs straight decrease the chance of opioid overdose and alcohol intoxication. People looking for these medication as a remedy possibility should wait till there’s approval from the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Moreover, research exploring optimum dosing, long-term results, and any potential uncomfortable side effects are crucial,” Qeadan says. “Neuroimaging analysis might additionally assist us perceive precisely how these drugs work together with reward pathways associated to substance use. Increasing analysis to different substance use problems, akin to stimulant or nicotine dependence, would additional make clear the broader applicability of those drugs.”

For those who’re coping with alcohol or substance use dysfunction, assist is obtainable. Name the Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Providers Administration’s (SAMHSA) Nationwide Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 or go to samhsa.gov for extra info and sources.