There is a lot of well-deserved excitement around the arrival of GLP-1 drugs.
Introduction to GLP-1 drugs
These newest players on the block have the potential to treat both obesity and addiction. The GLP-1s, which is short for “glucagon-like peptide-1,” are composed of a new class of medications that lower food cravings and possibly addiction cravings by mimicking the pancreatic hormone known as glucagon, which regulates satiety and reward.
Research on GLP-1s and Addiction
Recent studies with mice demonstrate that GLP-1s also significantly decrease alcohol intake. Preliminary studies with humans sponsored by the National Institutes of Health reflect similar findings.
Excitement in the Addiction Treatment Community
The addiction treatment community is thrilled. Providers are calling and texting me daily, asking for more details on GLP-1 use as it applies to addiction treatment. Physicians and patients alike are chomping at the bit. When I attended the American Society of Addiction Medicine 2024 annual conference in Dallas this March, the lecture on GLP-1s and addiction was a jam-packed, standing-room-only audience.
I’m excited about the potential these new medications offer. However, the anticipation and hope surrounding the GLP-1s also reflect a much larger problem. There is a shortage of medication treatment options for addiction and a dire need for more choices.
For comparison, there are almost sixty FDA-approved medications for type 2 diabetes. Type two diabetes and alcohol use disorder are both chronic health conditions that affect millions of Americans. Guess how many FDA-approved medications there are for alcohol use disorder? Three. That’s right- only three!
We should all be happy about the arrival of the GLP-1s and the hope they provide for those suffering from chronic medical conditions, including diabetes, obesity, and substance use disorders. But remember, GLP-1s were initially researched and approved for… (can you guess?) … diabetes.
The Need for More Medication Treatment Options
This is an opportunity for us to examine the critical need for more medication treatment options for addiction. Like diabetes, addiction is a complex, heterogeneous disorder that requires a myriad of medication and biopsychosocial support options. Increased variety of medication pathways widens the door to success. Michael Jordan famously said, “If you accept the expectations of others, you will never change the outcome.” When it comes to addiction treatment, it’s high time we start raising expectations and outcomes.
Help is available
If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to opioids, other drugs, and/or alcohol and need help in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana, the recovery teams at Aware Recovery Care are here to help. And we come to you, regardless of where you live. Our unique in-home treatment model of care gives clients a significantly better chance of recovery than traditional inpatient rehab care. We are now offering Virtual Detox and Medication Assisted Treatment in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Virginia, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio as well. Please get in touch with one of our Recovery Specialists to learn more.
