Semaglutide: A Promising New Approach to Reducing Alcohol Us
Dr. Danish frequently works with patients using various medications, including semaglutide, to manage alcohol use disorder (AUD). Semaglutide is a medication initially designed to help individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity. It functions by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which regulates appetite and insulin secretion. By stabilizing these physiological processes, semaglutide helps reduce cravings and consumption behaviors.
Semaglutide’s effectiveness in reducing alcohol use has been demonstrated for many of Dr. Danish’s patients, as well as in a growing list of studies. By targeting the neurochemical pathways associated with reward and addiction, this medication provides a valuable new tool in the comprehensive treatment plans that Dr. Danish and his team at Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry develop for their patients. This holistic approach, which combines medication management with therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and other supportive measures, aims to address the multifaceted nature of AUD.
The practitioners at Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry is able to prescribe semaglutide to patients at greatly reduced rates; text 610-999-6414 to learn more.
Article Overview
A recent study published in Nature Communications investigates the association of semaglutide with the incidence and recurrence of alcohol use disorder in real-world populations. This retrospective cohort study analyzed electronic health records of 83,825 patients with obesity and 598,803 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), comparing those treated with semaglutide to those treated with other anti-obesity or anti-diabetes medications.
The study found that semaglutide significantly reduced the risk of developing and recurring alcohol use disorder (AUD) in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). For patients with obesity and no prior history of AUD, the incidence was 0.37% in the semaglutide group compared to 0.73% in those on other anti-obesity medications, a 50% reduction. In those with a prior history of AUD, the recurrence rate was 22.6% with semaglutide versus 43.0% with other medications, a 56% reduction. Similarly, in patients with T2DM, semaglutide reduced the incidence of AUD by 44% and recurrence by 39% compared to other diabetes medications. These benefits were consistent across various demographic groups.
Getting in Touch with Dr. Danish and his Team
At Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry, we continue to stay on top of the latest research related to alcohol use disorder so we can provide the best quality care in a safe manner. Our holistic and integrative approach ensures that we consider all aspects of our patients' well-being in developing personalized treatment plans. If you or a loved one are seeking support for AUD or similar conditions, please text or call 610-999-6414 to learn how we can help.
For more on this topic and related subjects, check out these blogs:
Learn about the benefits of Naltrexone and Vivitrol in treating alcohol use disorder.
Acamprosate is a usually well tolerated and viable treatment option to help cut down on alcohol use.
Discover how Disulfiram (Antabuse) can help stop drinking alcohol.
Find a variety of local and national outpatient and inpatient drug and alcohol treatment options tailored to individual needs.
LDN, or Low Dose Naltrexone, has some off-label evidence for alcohol use disorder.
Gabapentin is often used to help with anxiety, and there is growing evidence for its use in alcohol use disorder.
Source:
For more detailed information, you can access the full study here: Nature Communications.
