The Department of Veterans Affairs is launching a clinical trial to determine if semaglutide can treat alcohol use disorder. The study focuses on more than 600 veterans between the ages of 18 and 80 across 18 medical centers nationwide.
Participants in the trial, titled the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans trial, will receive weekly injections of either the medication or a placebo for 24 weeks. Researchers will then monitor participants through a safety period to track changes in alcohol consumption and overall health outcomes.
VA Secretary Doug Collins stated that the agency is positioned to lead this research, which aims to provide veterans with new treatment options for addiction recovery. Previous studies suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists may reduce alcohol consumption and other addictive behaviors. One study noted that patients using these medications experienced a significant reduction in the odds of alcohol use disorder compared to control groups.
Data from the VA indicates that over 400,000 veterans currently live with alcohol use disorder. With nearly 11% of U.S. adults impacted by this condition, the results of this trial could have wide implications for addiction medicine.