GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Consistently Reduce Alcohol Consumption and Craving in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) represents a significant global health burden with limited pharmacological treatment options, necessitating the discovery of novel molecular targets. Current standard-of-care often falls short for many individuals, highlighting an urgent need for more effective interventions. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), primarily used for type 2 diabetes and obesity, have shown unexpected effects, including reduced alcohol intake, reported anecdotally by patients and clinicians. This observation has spurred interest in GLP-1RAs as a promising new therapeutic avenue for AUD by modulating reward circuitry and metabolic signaling.