Evidence continues to mount suggesting that GLP-1 drugs may help people cut back on cigarettes, drinking and opioid use.
As the medications — which include semaglutide and tirzepatide — have grown in popularity, anecdotal reports have emerged of people who said they no longer felt the urge to drink alcohol or use drugs while taking a GLP-1. Peer-reviewed studies have since followed.
“An accumulating body of studies are showing positive potential for using GLP-1s for substance use,” said Christian Hendershot, director of clinical research at the USC Institute for Addiction Science in Los Angeles.