It’s possible that GLP-1s may be useful for a range of substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder and nicotine use disorder, Varisco says. The medication may even be helpful in treating sex disorders and eating disorders, Dr. Sarhan says.

Compared to the people who got a placebo, those who received Ozempic said they drank fewer drinks at home. They also drank less in the lab at the trial’s end. A bonus: smokers smoked fewer cigarettes, too.

For years, people taking Ozempic or other drugs in the same class for diabetes and weight loss have noticed the medicines don’t just curb their desire to eat; for some, they also lead them to drink less alcohol.