Starting diabetes drugs like semaglutide or liraglutide might lower the chance of developing substance use problems, and this seems to be true for people of different ages, weights, races, and types of the drug.

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.

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.

For US veterans with type 2 diabetes and a history of substance use, starting a GLP-1 drug (like Ozempic) may lower their chances of overdosing on drugs or having suicidal thoughts compared to starting a different diabetes drug called an SGLT-2 inhibitor.

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.

A few small studies have tested diabetes drugs like Exenatide and Dulaglutide in people with addiction, and while there’s not much data yet, it’s an area scientists are starting to explore.