Semaglutide Shows Promise as Potential New Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist widely used to treat obesity, has shown promise in treating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Researchers in Copenhagen, Denmark, conducted a study with individuals seeking treatment for AUD who also had comorbid obesity. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either semaglutide or a placebo, alongside cognitive behavioral therapy.

Those who received semaglutide achieved a 41% reduction in heavy drinking days—an outcome nearly 14% greater than the placebo group. Participants also experienced additional health benefits, including weight loss and decreased blood pressure.

While further research is needed, these findings are highly significant. AUD impacts approximately 26 million individuals in the U.S., yet very few FDA-approved medications are currently available to treat it. If semaglutide proves to be more effective and accessible than existing options, it could dramatically improve treatment outcomes and change lives for those struggling with AUD.

The Article

Klausen, M. K., Justesen, S. K., Pedersen, J. N., Rasmussen, L., Jensen, A., Jensen, M. E., Knorr, U. B., Bergmann, M. L., Holst, J. J., Hartmann, B., Koob, G. F., Benveniste, H., Volkow, N. D., Ekstrøm, C. T., Knudsen, G. M., Vilsbøll, T., & Fink-Jensen, A. (2026). Once-weekly semaglutide versus placebo in patients with alcohol use disorder and comorbid obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet (London, England), 407(10540), 1687–1698. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00305-3