The AP (3/4, Aleccia) reports that “GLP-1 drugs…may help prevent multiple substance use disorders – and reduce the tragic outcomes they cause, a large new study finds.” Investigators “looked at electronic health records from more than 600,000 U.S. Veterans Affairs patients with diabetes.” The researchers “found that those treated with” GLP-1 “medications…were less likely to develop addictions to alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, opioids and other substances than those treated with a different class of drugs.” Among “those already addicted, the GLP-1 drugs were linked to lower risks of hospitalization, overdose and death, according to the study.” The findings were published in The BMJ.
Among other sources covering the story are Reuters (3/4, Lapid) and NBC News (3/4, Sullivan).
Related Links:
— “What to know about how GLP-1 medications might fight addiction,” Jonel Aleccia , AP , March 4, 2026