Overview
- An analysis in The BMJ of 606,434 U.S. veterans with type 2 diabetes found GLP-1 users had lower risks of developing substance use disorders than peers on SGLT2 inhibitors.
- Across substances, new diagnoses fell by 18% for alcohol, 14% for cannabis, 20% for cocaine and nicotine, and 25% for opioids, equating to about seven fewer cases per 1,000 users over three years.
- Among people with existing substance use disorders, GLP-1 treatment was linked to 31% fewer emergency visits, 26% fewer hospitalizations, 39% fewer overdoses, 25% less suicidal ideation or attempts, and 50% fewer drug-related deaths.
- Researchers and outside experts stressed the observational design, the VA cohort’s older, predominantly male demographics, and potential residual confounding, cautioning that the results do not prove causation.
- Multiple randomized clinical trials for alcohol, opioid and stimulant disorders are underway to test efficacy, dosing and safety as scientists probe how GLP-1s may influence brain reward pathways.