Recent research has unveiled a significant correlation between weight-loss and type 2 diabetes medications and a marked decrease in rates of alcohol intoxication among users. This study, published in the journal Addiction, suggests that these medications may have the potential to aid individuals struggling with alcohol abuse and opioid addiction.
The study focused on two types of drugs: glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) drugs, including the brand Mounjaro, and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA). Researchers have suggested that these medications may impact not only appetite control but also the brain’s pathways that govern addictive behaviors.
Conducted by experts at Loyola University Chicago, the study analyzed a large sample of 503,747 individuals with a history of opioid use disorder, among which 8,103 had prescriptions for GLP-1 RA or GIP medications. Findings indicated that those prescribed these drugs experienced a 40% lower rate of opioid overdose compared to those without such prescriptions.
Similarly, the research examined 817,309 individuals with a history of alcohol use disorder, with 5,621 prescribed the same medications. The results showed a notable 50% reduction in alcohol intoxication rates among the group taking GLP-1 RA or GIP compared to those who were not.
The authors of the study have called for further investigation into the potential of these medications as innovative treatment options for alcohol and opioid addiction, highlighting their dual benefits on weight management and addictive behavior.
Source: MyLondon
