Among 500,000+ patients, GLP-1/GIP drug prescriptions were associated with reduced opioid overdoses and alcohol intoxications in those with substance use disorders.
503,747 patientsLargest real-world study linking GLP-1/GIP drugs to reduced substance use outcomes
What the researchers found
GLP-1/GIP drug prescriptions were associated with reduced opioid overdoses and alcohol intoxications in over 500,000 patients with substance use disorders.
Why it matters
The opioid and alcohol crises claim hundreds of thousands of lives — if GLP-1 drugs reduce substance use outcomes, the public health impact could be enormous.
The numbers in context
N=503,747 OUD patients; N=817,309 AUD patients; 136 US health systems; Jan 2014-Sep 2022; lower incidence of overdose/intoxication with GIP/GLP-1 RA prescriptions.
How the study worked
Retrospective cohort study of de-identified EHR data from 136 US health systems (Oracle Cerner), Jan 2014 – Sept 2022.
Who was studied
US adults with opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder
What this study cannot tell us
Retrospective observational design — cannot prove causation. Confounding by indication possible (healthier patients may get GLP-1 drugs).
How to read the evidence
Large retrospective EHR study — powerful association data but observational design limits causal inference.
When this study was published
Published in 2025 in Addiction, a leading substance use journal.
The bigger picture
This is the largest study yet suggesting GLP-1 drugs affect addiction — potentially opening an entirely new therapeutic category for these medications.
Questions still open
- What is the mechanism linking GLP-1 signaling to reduced substance use?
- Would randomized trials of GLP-1 drugs for addiction confirm these observational findings?
Common questions
Can GLP-1 drugs help with addiction?
How might GLP-1 drugs affect substance use?
Read the original research
The association between glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and/or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist prescriptions and substance-related outcomes in patients with opioid and alcohol use disorders: A real-world data analysis.
Addiction (Abingdon, England), 120(2), 236-250
Citation
Qeadan, Fares; McCunn, Ashlie; Tingey, Benjamin. (2025). The association between glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and/or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist prescriptions and substance-related outcomes in patients with opioid and alcohol use disorders: A real-world data analysis.. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 120(2), 236-250. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16679