WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a nationwide clinical trial to determine whether semaglutide, a medication widely used to treat diabetes, can reduce alcohol use disorder among veterans, expanding research into a drug class that has shown promise beyond its approved uses.
The study comes as more than 400,000 veterans nationwide have been diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, while the condition affects an estimated 11% of U.S. adults, according to the VA.
Known as the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans trial, the study will enroll more than 600 veterans at 18 VA medical centers across the country. Participants ages 18 to 80 with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder will receive weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety monitoring period.
Researchers will evaluate whether the medication reduces alcohol consumption while improving participants’ health and quality of life.
The trial follows growing evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists may influence brain pathways involved in reward and addiction. The VA cited a March analysis reporting that patients taking GLP-1 medications experienced lower rates of alcohol use disorder and other substance use disorders than comparable patients using other diabetes medications.
The department also pointed to research associating GLP-1 use among people with existing substance use disorders with fewer emergency department visits, hospitalizations and other adverse outcomes. The new randomized clinical trial is intended to determine whether those findings translate into an effective treatment for veterans with alcohol use disorder.
“This clinical trial reflects medical research that VA is uniquely situated to launch, and is aimed directly at benefitting Veterans,” VA Secretary Doug Collins stated. “By exploring emerging treatment options like the use of a GLP-1 for AUD, we aim to expand the tools available to help Veterans take control of their health and recovery.”
The study will be conducted at 18 VA medical centers, including the Philadelphia VA Healthcare System, along with facilities in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
Veteran recruitment began July 28. Information about participation is available through local VA medical centers or by searching for the study on ClinicalTrials.gov.
The VA emphasized that veterans should not self-medicate or replace established alcohol use disorder treatments with semaglutide or other GLP-1 medications outside a clinical setting, and advised patients to consult their health care providers before making treatment decisions.
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