The big examine analyzed extra 500,000 folks with a historical past of opioid use dysfunction and greater than 800,000 with alcohol use dysfunction. Outcomes present that those that took Ozempic or an identical GLP-1 receptor agonist drug (that are authorized to deal with situations equivalent to sort 2 diabetes or weight problems) had a 40 % decrease probability of overdosing on opioids and a 50 % decrease threat of getting drunk in comparison with those that did not take the medicine.
Lead analysis creator Fares Qeadan, PhD, an affiliate professor of public well being sciences at Loyola College Chicago, says this analysis may provide a brand new resolution for treating substance use problems.
“Historically, substance use dysfunction remedies give attention to addressing the signs and physiological results of substance use immediately,” Qeadan tells Properly+Good. “GLP-1 receptor agonists, nonetheless, seem to work on the mind’s reward pathways, doubtlessly decreasing cravings and the chance of extreme outcomes like overdose and intoxication.”
Qeadan says the accessibility of GLP-1s is one other optimistic issue in the event that they turn out to be a legit remedy possibility for substance use.
“There’s a stigma surrounding a few of the current medicines used to deal with opioid and alcohol use problems, together with entry boundaries for a lot of sufferers,” Qeadan says. “GLP-1 receptor agonists may present a extra broadly accepted remedy various, doubtlessly bettering entry and decreasing stigma round searching for remedy for substance use problems.”
Extra analysis is important to show that GLP-1 medicines immediately decrease the danger of opioid overdose and alcohol intoxication. People searching for these medicine as a remedy possibility must wait till there’s approval from the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA).
“Moreover, research exploring optimum dosing, long-term results, and any potential unwanted side effects are vital,” Qeadan says. “Neuroimaging analysis may additionally assist us perceive precisely how these medicines work together with reward pathways associated to substance use. Increasing analysis to different substance use problems, equivalent to stimulant or nicotine dependence, would additional make clear the broader applicability of those medicines.”
In case you’re coping with alcohol or substance use dysfunction, assist is obtainable. Name the Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Providers Administration’s (SAMHSA) Nationwide Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 or go to samhsa.gov for extra data and assets.
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