Weight loss and diabetes medications could potentially decrease alcohol and opioid consumption.

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Another study suggests that GLP-1 drugs may provide additional health benefits beyond managing diabetes and weight loss.

Studies suggest that they may significantly reduce addictive behaviors.

A recent study in the journal Addiction suggests that drugs like Ozempic, which is commonly used to treat diabetes, could potentially reduce drug and alcohol abuse by about half. This finding raises the possibility that Ozempic and similar medications could be used as a new treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorder.

The study not only adds to the growing field of substance use therapy but also provides opportunities for more holistic and successful treatment options for individuals struggling with both disorders, according to the authors.

Here's why that's important.

The opioid epidemic in the U.S., declared a public health emergency in 2017, requires more tools to address it. In 2021, an estimated 2.5 million people aged 18 or above in the U.S. had opioid use disorder in the past year, but only 22% received medications to treat it, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Opioids are a factor in around 72% of overdose deaths in the U.S., the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics says.

Nearly 29 million people had alcohol use disorder in the past year, and excessive alcohol use is the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S., with about 178,000 people dying from it each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Let's dive into the new data.

Loyola University Chicago researchers analyzed the electronic health data of over 500,000 individuals with a history of opioid use disorder, including 8,000 who were taking either GLP-1s or GIPs, such as Mounjaro, a weight loss treatment that mimics GLP-1 and GIP to suppress appetite and regulate blood sugar. In contrast, Ozempic only targets GLP-1.

Those who took GLP-1s or GIPs had a 40% lower rate of opioid overdose, while those who didn't had a higher rate, according to a study. Similarly, those who took those treatments had a 50% lower rate of intoxication compared with those who didn't take them, an analysis of more than 5,000 people with a history of alcohol use disorder found.

Studies have consistently shown the potential of GLP-1s and GIPs to reduce substance-seeking behaviors such as alcohol and nicotine use, as well as treat kidney failure, fatty liver disease, Alzheimer's disease, and obstructive sleep apnea.

In March, the U.S. approved Wegovy, a weight loss drug from Novo Nordisk, for reducing the risk of serious cardiovascular complications in adults with obesity and heart disease.

To confirm the potential treatment benefits of drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, more clinical trials are needed, where patients with a substance use disorder are randomly assigned to receive GLP-1 or a placebo.

We will keep track of any new research in this field and provide updates on our coverage.

Rewritten sentence: Please provide any tips, suggestions, story ideas, and data to Annika at [email protected].

Latest in health-care tech: Tech companies talk future of AI in health care

This is Ashley, reporting live from Las Vegas.

This year, more than 12,000 industry leaders, including Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, and Google, gathered at the health-care technology conference called HLTH. I've spent the last few days on the exhibition floor there.

I have attended this event twice, and although it's ironic to walk through smoke-filled casinos to attend meetings about the future of health care, it's a useful way to assess the technologies that the industry is enthusiastic about.

In my coverage on Sunday, I predicted that generative AI would dominate my discussions, as it did last year. However, the emphasis was on the practical, near-term use cases for the technology rather than its promise or potential. Despite any skepticism, it is clear that health systems are serious about implementing AI.

Organizations are seeking AI tools that can generate tangible benefits, such as cost savings and increased efficiency. They expect quick results and require guidance on evaluating and implementing the numerous solutions available. Additionally, investors are scrutinizing the viability of business models for health-care AI companies.

The issue of burnout in the healthcare industry due to the overwhelming amount of documentation that doctors and nurses have to deal with has been a major focus this year. Microsoft, Google, GE HealthCare, and Amazon have all introduced new tools to address this problem.

"The administrative tasks that have long hindered primary care are also prevalent in healthcare, but they are particularly burdensome in this area. Dr. Andrew Diamond, the chief medical officer at Amazon's primary care business One Medical, believes that AI has the potential to automate or simplify a significant portion of this work."

While AI for administrative burnout was widely discussed, other topics such as AI agents and their ability to assist users with questions, processes, and specific tasks emerged. Additionally, companies are developing AI tools to identify and streamline clinical trials for patients. Microsoft and GE HealthCare have both announced early stage tools in these areas.

Although AI won't revolutionize the industry immediately, it's been emphasized that the innovation is happening rapidly, particularly in healthcare, which is known for being slow to adopt new technology.

Despite the complexity of the problems they are attempting to solve, there was a palpable sense of optimism among these companies. Providers, large tech incumbents, and startups alike all share the belief that AI is a technology that will endure, and they plan to utilize it.

Rewritten sentence: Please provide any tips, suggestions, story ideas, and data to Ashley at [email protected].