This article is adapted from a MATTERS Network article written by Lucy Connery, MPH & Brooke Langella, MPH.
By Asha Velor
GLP-1s — such as tirzepatide and semaglutide, more commonly referred to by brand names Ozempic and Mounjaro — have been around for a couple of decades, but they’ve drawn attention recently because people dealing with Food Addiction describe a sharp drop in “food noise” — cravings and persistent thoughts about food (Conley, 2025).
“Researchers have begun actively exploring what types of addictions GLP-1s can help with, “ the authors said, “as they’ve been proven to go far beyond weight loss by quieting cravings and reducing urges for food, but also potentially for alcohol, smoking, drugs, and even behaviors such as sex and gambling (Dimitri, 2025).” Some physicians are prescribing GLP-1s to treat SUDs and other forms of addiction (Conley, 2025), the article continued.
The authors emphasized that most literature on GLP-1s relies on animal studies, and it could be years before the FDA approves the medications for substance-use-disorder treatment.
“Without FDA approval, access to GLP-1s remains limited for people living with SUD. Typically, health insurers do not provide coverage for medications, particularly when prescribed off-label for conditions such as SUD that currently lack FDA approval (National Association of Insurance Commissioners, 2024).”