New research indicates that semaglutide, known for treating diabetes and obesity, may also reduce alcohol cravings and consumption, offering a potential new approach to addressing alcohol use disorder.
Recent research from the University of Southern California (USC) indicates that semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for obesity, may also assist individuals in reducing their alcohol consumption. The study, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, revealed that participants receiving weekly semaglutide injections experienced decreased alcohol cravings, consumed less alcohol, and had fewer heavy drinking days compared to those given a placebo.
This discovery addresses a significant treatment gap, as alcohol-related causes account for approximately 178,000 deaths annually in the U.S., contributing to liver disease, cardiovascular issues, and certain cancers, as highlighted by the U.S. Surgeon General. Despite nearly one-third of American adults meeting the criteria for problem drinking at some point, a minimal number seek or receive treatment.
The study’s lead author, Christian Hendershot, Director of Clinical Research at USC’s Institute for Addiction Research, noted that this is the first randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to examine this phenomenon. He stated, “Two drugs currently approved to reduce alcohol consumption aren’t widely used. The popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists increases the chances of broad adoption of these treatments for alcohol use disorder.” Hendershot emphasized that reduced alcohol intake is linked to improved health outcomes and advocated for larger studies on GLP-1 receptor agonists for alcohol use disorder.
The trial involved 48 adults diagnosed with alcohol use disorder who were not actively seeking treatment. Participants reported consuming more than seven standard drinks per week for women and more than 14 for men, along with at least two heavy drinking episodes in the past month. Initially, participants were invited to consume their preferred alcoholic beverages in a controlled lab setting, where researchers documented their drinking behavior. Following this, participants were randomly assigned to receive weekly low-dose injections of semaglutide or a placebo for nine weeks, during which their drinking patterns were monitored. At the study’s conclusion, the lab drinking session was repeated to assess changes.
Results indicated that semaglutide injections led to significant reductions in weekly alcohol cravings, average drinks consumed on drinking days, and the number of heavy drinking days compared to the placebo. Notably, nearly 40 percent of individuals in the semaglutide group reported no heavy drinking days in the final month of treatment, compared to 20 percent in the placebo group. Additionally, among a subset of participants who smoked cigarettes, those treated with semaglutide showed greater reductions in daily cigarette consumption than those in the placebo group.
Senior author Klara Klein of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine remarked, “These data suggest the potential of semaglutide and similar drugs to fill an unmet need for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.” She called for larger and longer studies to fully understand the safety and efficacy of semaglutide in individuals with alcohol use disorder, noting that these initial findings are promising.
This research emerges amid a broader societal shift toward reduced alcohol consumption. The “sober curious” movement, encouraging individuals to reevaluate their relationship with alcohol, has gained momentum. A survey by NCSolutions found that nearly half of Americans are attempting to drink less in 2025, a 44 percent increase since 2023. This trend is particularly pronounced among younger generations, with many opting for non-alcoholic beverages and sober social events.
The alcohol industry has taken note of these changing preferences. Non-alcoholic beer sales have surged by 26 percent over the past year, surpassing $800 million in the U.S., and now represent 84 percent of non-alcoholic drink sales. Major brands have responded by introducing non-alcoholic options and featuring them in high-profile advertising campaigns, such as Michelob Ultra Zero’s Super Bowl commercial.
Despite these positive trends, alcohol use disorder remains a significant public health concern. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 28.9 million people aged 12 and older in the U.S. had alcohol use disorder in the past year, representing 10.2 percent of this age group.
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