THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GLP-1 MEDICATIONS IN REDUCING ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a serious public health issue, and current treatments often have limited effectiveness. This study explores whether glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications, commonly used for diabetes and weight management, can help reduce alcohol consumption. Using data from the All of Us Research Program, alcohol drinking behaviors were compared between matched groups of GLP-1 users and non-users. Statistical tests and visualization tools (Python and Tableau) examined differences in drinking frequency, daily alcohol intake, and episodes of heavy drinking. Results showed significant reductions in alcohol consumption among GLP-1 users. Specifically, GLP-1 users drank fewer drinks per day (p=0.0042), drank less frequently (p\u3c0.0001), and had fewer heavy drinking episodes (p\u3c0.0001). Additionally, the effectiveness of GLP-1 medications did not significantly vary based on body mass index (BMI), indicating potential benefits regardless of obesity status. The study also considered how demographic factors and healthcare access might influence treatment availability. Although limited by small cohort sizes and data from only one point in time, these results suggest that GLP-1 medications may effectively reduce alcohol consumption. Future studies should use larger participant groups, track changes over time, and collect detailed medication dosage information