People with obesity or insulin resistance might cut down on alcohol and drugs more if they take GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, according to early research hints.

For US veterans with type 2 diabetes, starting a GLP-1 drug (like Ozempic) might help lower the chance of developing addiction problems—like with alcohol, drugs, or smoking—over three years compared to starting a different diabetes drug called an SGLT-2 inhibitor.

GLP-1 diabetes drugs help prevent heart attacks and strokes mainly by lowering blood sugar and helping people lose weight—not by lowering blood pressure or bad cholesterol.

For US veterans with type 2 diabetes, taking GLP-1 drugs might help lower the chance of getting hooked on opioids over three years compared to another diabetes drug, SGLT-2 inhibitors — about 1 fewer case for every 1,000 people.

Diabetes drugs called GLP-1 agonists might help people overcome addictions by reducing how pleasurable substances like alcohol, nicotine, and opioids feel in the brain.

Medications that mimic a gut hormone called GLP-1 can make people feel less hungry, eat less food, and lose body fat over time.