How GLP-1s May Help Treat Addiction, with Mohammad Sarhan, M.D.

In an interview with The Educated Patient, Mohammad Sarhan, M.D., an addiction medicine physician at Caron Treatment Centers, discusses the emerging role of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications, including semaglutide, for the treatment of substance use disorders and behavioral addictions.

Sarhan explains that, initially, anecdotal reports from patients using these medications for diabetes or weight loss revealed unexpected benefits, including reduced alcohol consumption, decreased cigarette use, and fewer impulsive behaviors related to shopping and gambling. This led researchers to explore how these drugs affect the brain’s reward pathways.

Unlike traditional addiction medications, which target specific receptors for substances like alcohol or opioids, GLP-1 medications appear to work centrally on the brain’s reward system, offering a broader potential application for addiction treatment. Sarhan emphasizes that this mechanism could be groundbreaking, as it may help patients struggling with various forms of addiction beyond just substance use.

One key benefit observed in clinical practice is that patients taking these medications experience a reduction in cravings and intrusive thoughts about substance use. This allows them to engage more effectively in treatment programs, which is critical for long-term recovery. However, Sarhan underscores that GLP-1 medications are not a stand-alone cure. For example, a recent study showed promising results, including decreased alcohol cravings and consumption, but it did not significantly reduce the number of drinking days. Therefore, these medications should be considered a complementary tool alongside existing evidence-based treatments.

Sarhan also noted a small study conducted at Caron, where patients on suboxone for opioid use disorder who received an additional GLP-1 medication showed significant craving reductions compared with a placebo group. While these early findings are encouraging, he says larger-scale research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of GLP-1 medications across different types of addiction. Researchers are eagerly awaiting more comprehensive studies expected later this year, which could further solidify their role in addiction medicine.