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 analogous GLP-1 receptor agonist drug (that are authorised to deal with circumstances equivalent to kind 2 diabetes or weight problems) had a 40 % decrease likelihood of overdosing on opioids and a 50 % decrease danger of getting drunk in comparison with those that did not take the treatment.
Lead analysis creator Fares Qeadan, PhD, an affiliate professor of public well being sciences at Loyola College Chicago, says this analysis may provide a brand new resolution for treating substance use issues.
“Historically, substance use dysfunction therapies give attention to addressing the signs and physiological results of substance use immediately,” Qeadan tells Effectively+Good. “GLP-1 receptor agonists, nonetheless, seem to work on the mind’s reward pathways, doubtlessly decreasing cravings and the probability of extreme outcomes like overdose and intoxication.”
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Qeadan says the accessibility of GLP-1s is one other optimistic issue in the event that they grow to be a legit therapy choice for substance use.
“There’s a stigma surrounding a few of the present medicines used to deal with opioid and alcohol use issues, together with entry limitations for a lot of sufferers,” Qeadan says. “GLP-1 receptor agonists may present a extra extensively accepted therapy different, doubtlessly enhancing entry and decreasing stigma round searching for therapy for substance use issues.”
Extra analysis is critical to show that GLP-1 medicines immediately decrease the danger of opioid overdose and alcohol intoxication. Of us searching for these medication as a therapy choice 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 essential,” Qeadan says. “Neuroimaging analysis may additionally assist us perceive precisely how these medicines work together with reward pathways associated to substance use. Increasing analysis to different substance use issues, equivalent to stimulant or nicotine dependence, would additional make clear the broader applicability of those medicines.”
In case you’re coping with alcohol or substance use dysfunction, assist is offered. 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.
