A new study is exploring whether certain weight-management treatments might also help combat problem drinking.
Academics from the University of South Wales have obtained financial backing to examine whether GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, could offer safe and effective assistance for individuals struggling with substance misuse.
The initiative, financed by UK Research and Innovation’s Addiction Healthcare Goals programme, will be carried out in collaboration with Kaleidoscope, a charitable organization that provides drug and alcohol services throughout Wales and the Wirral.
The programme will involve consulting with people who have personal experience of addiction, alongside medical professionals and clinical specialists.
Professor Bev John, a specialist in addictions and health psychology at the university, explained that these medications are not currently authorised for treating alcohol dependency. Despite this, she noted that numerous anecdotal reports suggest they are prompting some individuals to drink less. She emphasized that before such treatments could be rolled out more widely, researchers need to gain a fuller understanding of potential risks and ensure any treatment plans are both practical and appropriate for those who might benefit.
The study will examine current research on these medications and how they might affect drug and alcohol consumption, evaluate how feasible and acceptable the approach would be for service users and frontline staff, and propose the initial pilot clinical trial of prescribing these drugs to individuals experiencing alcohol-related harm within a charitable sector service.
Ruth Bowley, head of research and development at Kaleidoscope, observed that as alcohol-related damage grows, so does the demand for fresh approaches that tackle both physical and mental wellbeing.
Fatalities linked to alcohol continue to climb in Wales, with numerous individuals also dealing with conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Initial findings indicate these medications could potentially lower alcohol intake by influencing the brain’s reward systems and desire for drinking.