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Veterans to Join Nationwide VA Alcohol Addiction Trial: Here's Where
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Hundreds of veterans are set to participate in a national clinical trial investigating whether semaglutide—the active ingredient in widely prescribed diabetes and weight-loss medications like Ozempic —can effectively treat alcohol addiction.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the new trial on Thursday, responding to a significant health challenge within the veteran community. According to VA data, more than 400,000 veterans across the country are currently diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Titled the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans trial, the study builds on mounting scientific interest regarding the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists to impact addictive behaviors. These medications mimic naturally occurring hormones that regulate blood sugar, appetite, and the brain’s reward pathways.
“This clinical trial reflects medical research that VA is uniquely situated to launch, and is aimed directly at benefitting Veterans,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said in a statement. “By exploring emerging treatment options like the use of a GLP-1 for AUD, we aim to expand the tools available to help Veterans take control of their health and recovery.”
The trial will enroll more than 600 veterans across 18 VA medical centers nationwide. Trials represent critical large-scale evaluations designed to verify treatment efficacy within specific patient groups while maintaining rigorous safety and side-effect monitoring.
For more information about participation, veterans can contact their local VA medical center or visit ClinicalTrials.gov and search for the trial.
The trial was prompted by an earlier observational study involving U.S. veterans with Type 2 diabetes. That research indicated that patients prescribed GLP-1 medications experienced lower rates of alcohol and substance use disorders compared to peers on alternative regimens. Furthermore, GLP-1 usage correlated with reduced emergency department visits and hospitalizations among individuals with pre-existing substance challenges. Because the research identified associations rather than proving the medications caused those outcomes, a controlled trial is needed to test semaglutide’s effectiveness.
The VA cautioned veterans against self-medicating with GLP-1 drugs or using them as a substitute for established AUD treatments. The department advised patients to consult their health care providers before changing their treatment.
AUD, often referred to as “ alcoholism ,” is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control drinking despite harmful social, occupational or health consequences. The condition can range from mild to severe.
A nationally representative study cited by the VA found that 40.8 percent of veterans had met the diagnostic criteria for AUD at some point in their lives, while more than 10.5 percent met the criteria for probable alcohol use disorder in the previous year. Rates vary by age and tend to be higher among younger veterans.
Problematic alcohol use can overlap with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions. Veterans who have experienced PTSD are twice as likely to have problems with alcohol as veterans without a history of the disorder, according to the VA’s National Center for PTSD.
Veterans who screen positive for both probable AUD and PTSD have been found to face greater risks of depression, anxiety and suicidal behavior than those with alcohol use disorder alone. The VA says the two conditions can be treated at the same time through therapy, medication or a combination of approaches.
Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Matthew Robinson and Anthony Murray .
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