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What are Ozempic and other GLP-1 Drugs?
Ozempic is the brand name of a synthetic prescription medication containing semaglutide. This drug helps regulate glucose, or blood sugar, levels in the body. Wegovy and Rybelsus are other name brands that contain semaglutide as their main ingredient.
Semaglutide influences the brain’s reward center, appetite regulation, and glucose metabolism. It mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1. This hormone stimulates insulin release from the pancreas and lowers glucose levels in the bloodstream. GLP-1 drugs also reduce appetite and diminish food cravings. These drugs were formulated and approved by the FDA as medications to treat diabetes.
However, patients have found these medications helpful in reducing drug cravings as well as food cravings. Research is currently underway to study the efficacy and safety of Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs for use in addiction treatment.
Overview of Recent Research
People who have and work with substance use disorders are eager to know if GLP-1 meds like Ozempic can consistently and reliably curb drug cravings and consumption. Research on GLP-1 drugs for addiction treatment is in the early stages, so there isn’t a definitive answer. Findings so far have been promising, but many studies have been small in scale. There’s a need for larger scale research to confirm the efficacy and safety of GLP-1 medications to treat addictions.
Can Ozempic Help with Addiction?
One recent large study was completed in February 2025. Researchers analyzed a large database of national electronic health records from more than 500,000 patients with opioid use disorders and 800,000 patients with alcohol use disorders. They observed that patients with alcohol use disorders who used Ozempic had a 50% reduction in binge drinking, and patients with opioid use disorders who used Ozempic had a 40% reduction in overdoses.
Their results suggested that synthetic GLP-1 drugs produce a similar reaction as natural GPL-1 hormones within cells. They concluded that Ozempic and other synthetic GLP-1 meds can alter reward responses in the brain associated with chemical dependencies. This could lead to lower rates of opioid overdose or alcohol intoxication compared to patients who don’t receive them for treatment.
A smaller study with 20 participants was conducted in 2024 by the Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania. They compared outcomes of patients who received GLP-1 medications with those receiving placebos. Most of the study participants had opioid use disorders.
In this study, results showed a 40% reduction in opioid cravings among patients who received GLP-1 medications. These patients also reported improvements in mood and sleep, as well as reductions in symptoms of stress, pain, fatigue, and nausea.
A 2024 study on tobacco use disorder in diabetic patients taking semaglutide reviewed the electronic health data from approximately 223,000 patients, of whom 6,000 were prescribed semaglutide. The study found that the users of semaglutide had significantly fewer medical encounters for tobacco use disorder. These same users needed less smoking cessation medication and fewer counseling sessions.
A 2025 case study on a patient with both obesity and cocaine addiction who was treated with semaglutide found that the patient experienced significant weight loss and reduction in cocaine cravings over 12 weeks. The researchers concluded that semaglutide is a promising option for treatment for substance misuse among patients with co-occurring obesity.
Facts about Ozempic and Addiction
Is Ozempic FDA-Approved for Addiction Treatment?
Ozempic hasn’t yet been approved by the FDA to treat addiction. However, ongoing research suggests it may be helpful in treating substance use disorders. These indicators increase the possibility for approval in the future.
Although Ozempic is not currently approved as an addiction treatment drug, a physician can prescribe it off-label for addressing chemical dependencies and other uses.
How Can I Get Started Using Ozempic for Addiction?
Currently, GLP-1medications are not commonly used in drug addiction treatment. However, because of the mounting evidence of the medication’s benefits in addiction recovery, some medical providers may be willing to prescribe Ozempic or another GLP-1 drug off-label to address substance dependencies. Your doctor may have to submit documentation to your health insurance company regarding their reasoning for the prescription.
Another avenue you can explore for receiving Ozempic for addiction treatment is to join a clinical trial that tests the medication for this use. Ozempic clinical trials for addiction are now being conducted to test the efficacy of GLP-1 drugs for nicotine dependence as well as alcohol use, cocaine use, and opioid use disorders. You can search online for clinical trials that are currently enrolling new patients.
Some online pharmaceutical companies compound drugs, meaning they use the same active ingredients as name brand pharmaceuticals and alter their formulation slightly to make very similar, but different medications. There are several online companies that compound Ozempic-like formulations. Diagnosis and attaining a prescription can sometimes be done through telehealth interactions.
But buying compounded drugs online is risky. The FDA warns users of these products that dosing errors are more likely to occur due to inadequate education and lack of direct supervision when patients are trained via an online platform on how to self-administer their medication. Misuse may lead to self harm up to the point where you require hospitalization.
Insurance Coverage for GLP-1 Drugs
In general, insurance coverage for GLP-1 drugs doesn’t extend to substance use disorders. Insurance providers don’t cover prescriptions when meds are prescribed to treat conditions other than the one that the FDA approved. Since Ozempic isn’t currently approved for treating substance dependencies, most insurances won’t cover this treatment. However, if your doctor applies for an exception by presenting documentation as to why he/she recommends off-label use, the insurance company might approve coverage and grant pre-authorization.
Doctors also prescribe Ozempic and other GLP-1 meds off label for patients who are willing to pay for them out-of-pocket. GLP-1 drugs can cost as much as $900-$1,000 per month if purchased through major brand manufacturers. Some manufacturers offer patient assistance programs and savings cards to reduce these costs. Compounded semaglutide medications may be purchased from online compounding companies for approximately $200-$400 per month.
The use of GLP-1 drugs increased 40-fold from 2017 to 2021. Approximately 2-3% of the population in the U.S. is thought to currently be using GLP-1 drugs.
How Long Does It Take to See Results When Using Ozempic for Addiction?
Ozempic typically reduces blood glucose levels in diabetic patients within four weeks. It can start reducing appetite and cravings within a few days. Gathering specific data on off-label use of Ozempic for addiction and reducing drug cravings is still in its infancy. But since Ozempic works for drug cravings by using the same brain pathways as for food cravings, it’s likely that drug cravings would also decline within the same timeframe as food cravings.
Potential Side Effects of Ozempic and GLP-1 Drugs
While there are likely benefits to using Ozempic to combat substance use disorders, you should be aware that taking them can lead to side effects. Among them are physical symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain. Side effects relating to the head specifically include nausea, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.
Side effects of Ozempic for non-diabetic patients can include all those mentioned above. In addition, when Ozempic is used for addiction treatment, gastrointestinal side effects may be more severe among patients with pre-existing substance use-related digestive issues. Semaglutide injections may also slightly increase the risk for developing tumors of the thyroid gland or thyroid cancer.
Can Ozempic be Used Alongside Other Addiction Treatments?
Using Ozempic with other addiction treatments such as psychological therapies and counseling is recommended to provide a comprehensive approach to care. Consult your doctor if you’re using herbal medications or supplements as part of your addiction treatment.
Alternatives to Ozempic for Addiction Treatment
If Ozempic isn’t accessible to you for treating substance use disorders, you still have alternatives. Here are some of them.
Detox is commonly used as the first step in treatment for addictions to alcohol, opioids, and other drugs. Detox can take place as inpatient or outpatient treatment. It typically includes medical monitoring to ensure safety along with medications to manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Detox generally lasts for 7-10 days and is often supplemented with counseling.
Medication assisted treatment (MAT) utilizes FDA-approved medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone to reduce drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Inpatient Treatment may be needed if addiction is severe and 24-hour supervision is required. Inpatient treatment takes place in a hospital or a residential rehab facility. Counseling and other treatment options are offered in structured schedules. Peer support like 12 Step group meetings are often included. Alternative or recreational therapies may be available.
Outpatient Treatment takes place during the day with no overnight stays. Outpatient treatment programs include partial hospitalization, or day treatment programs, that offer approximately 20 hours of treatment per week for 8-12 weeks; intensive outpatient programs that typically include nine hours of treatment per week for several months; and standard outpatient treatment programs that can meet as few as once per week. Group and individual counseling sessions are provided, and 12-Step peer recovery is often offered.
Conclusion
Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications have quickly gained popularity as weight loss drugs and for the treatment of diabetes. There is emerging evidence showing they are likely useful for addiction treatment. While the FDA hasn’t yet approved them as alternative medications for addiction recovery, these medications can be prescribed off-label for this purpose.
The results are promising so far. As more studies are conducted to test the efficacy and safety of these drugs in treating addiction, it seems more likely that GLP-1 medications may become part of standard substance use disorder treatment protocols.
During this interim, it’s important to seek assistance and support from trusted medical providers who can help you create recovery plans that best suit your needs. Be optimistic and realistic, and you can achieve recovery and look forward to a positive, healthy future.
