Ozempic Goes to Rehab: GLP-1s for Addiction

GLP-1 medications are everywhere right now, and not just because people are losing weight. We’re starting to see something far more interesting for addiction medicine: semaglutide may reduce alcohol cravings and heavy drinking, and early data hints it could influence other compulsive behaviors too. I recorded this talk after giving it as a lecture to my colleagues, and it’s one I’ve wanted to share for a long time because the science is moving fast and the clinical questions are piling up. We walk through what GLP-1 drugs actually are, how gut hormones like GLP-1 and GIP shape appetite, digestion, and glycaemic control, and why side effects like nausea and bloating are so common. I also clear up the most confusing practical point patients run into: Ozempic versus Wegovy and Mounjaro versus Zepbound are often the same molecules labelled for different indications, and insurance coverage usually follows those rules. Then we get into the addiction evidence. I review three recent randomized controlled trials from 2025 to 2026 studying semaglutide for alcohol use disorder, including injectable and oral versions. The results aren’t magic, but they’re meaningful: fewer drinks on drinking days, fewer heavy drinking days, and lower craving scores compared with placebo, plus secondary findings that raise new research questions about nicotine and cannabis. Finally, I share two de-identified patient cases that show why GLP-1s can be a game-changer for some people and only a small nudge for others, especially when depression, grief, anxiety, or PTSD is the true engine behind drinking. If this helped you think differently about recovery tools, subscribe, share the show with a colleague or friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.To contact Dr. Grover: ammadeeasy@fastmail.com