A promising group of medications already used to treatdiabetesandobesitymay also hold potential for tacklingalcoholand drug addiction, according to a new study published in theJournal of the Endocrine Society. These drugs, called Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs), could represent a hopeful new direction for addressing alcohol and other substance use disorders. "Early research in both animals and humans suggests that these treatments may help reduce alcohol and other substance use," said lead researcher Lorenzo Leggio, M.D., Ph.D., of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), both part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md. "Some small clinical trials have also shown encouraging results." Substance use disorders are identified through four key patterns: physical dependence, risky behavior, social difficulties, and loss of control. The widespread harm caused by these disorders extends far beyond individual health, affecting families, communities, and societies worldwide. Alcohol, in particular, is considered the most damaging drug overall, contributing not only to health problems but also to traffic accidents and incidents of violence, according to researchers. Even with the scale of the problem, fewer than one in four people received treatment for alcohol or other substance use disorders in 2023. The authors point to numerous barriers, including stigma and limited resources for patients and providers. "Current treatments for [alcohol and other substance use disorders] fall short of addressing public health needs," the study noted. GLP-1 medications have recently gained fame for their success in reducing appetite and promoting weight loss. Beyond their effects on digestion, GLP-1 molecules play a major role in the brain. Activation of GLP-1 receptors in the central nervous system helps regulate hunger signals, prompting people to eat when hungry and stop when satisfied. The study highlights that some forms of obesity share biological and neurological traits with addiction, though this idea remains debated. "Pathways implicated in addiction also contribute to pathological overeating and obesity," the study says. Recognizing this overlap, scientists began exploring GLP-1 drugs as a possible treatment for substance use disorders. Early studies in animals and humans suggest that these drugs may influence the brain circuits that drive addictive behavior, potentially lowering cravings and use while also benefiting other coexisting health issues. Evidence from Early Research Studies that examine GLP-1 effects on substance use disorders include: The Road Ahead Leggio and his colleagues emphasize that more research is needed to confirm how effectively GLP-1 drugs treat addiction and to understand the underlying biological mechanisms. Despite the unanswered questions, researchers remain optimistic. "This research is very important because alcohol and drug addiction are major causes of illness and death, yet there are still only a few effective treatment options," Leggio said. "Finding new and better treatments is critically important to help people live healthier lives." Nirupam M Srinivasan, Mehdi Farokhnia, Lisa A Farinelli, Anna Ferrulli, Lorenzo Leggio. GLP-1 Therapeutics and Their Emerging Role in Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders: An Endocrinology Primer. Journal of the Endocrine Society, 2025; 9 (11) DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvaf141