Psychopharmacology and Psychiatry Updates Beyond Weight Loss: Can Semaglutide Treat Alcohol Use Disorder?
Apr 1, 2026
David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., addiction psychiatrist and clinical professor, discusses semaglutide as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder. He explains why GLP-1 receptor agonists might help, how semaglutide works and was tested in a randomized trial, reports on drinking and craving outcomes, and reviews safety, tolerability, and candidate profiles for off‑label use.
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Patient Reports Sparked The AUD Trial
- Patients on semaglutide for metabolic indications reported reduced desire to drink, which prompted formal investigation.
- These anecdotal reports led researchers to run the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for AUD.
Semaglutide Shows Robust Reduction In Drinking
- Semaglutide, a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist, reduced drinks per drinking day, heavy drinking days, and craving in a randomized placebo-controlled trial for AUD.
- The 9-week RCT used weekly dosing (0.25→0.5 mg), outpatient drinking logs, and a 2-hour lab session showing a 57% drop in breath alcohol concentration.
Lab Session Objectively Confirmed Reduced Alcohol Intake
- In a laboratory session with free access to preferred drinks, semaglutide reduced intake by about two standard drinks and cut average breath alcohol concentration by 57%.
- This objective lab finding matched outpatient self-reports, strengthening evidence for a real pharmacologic effect.