Alimentary pharmacology & therapeuticsMar 11, 2026

Alcohol Use Disorder Outcomes with Metabolic Problems: Comparing GLP-1 Drugs and Approved AUD Medications

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jun 27, 2026

Abstract

Essence

In patients with both metabolic dysfunction and alcohol use disorder, GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment was linked to fewer AUD relapses and better metabolic markers than approved AUD medications.

Evidence

A 2017-2025 Stanford retrospective cohort of 1,946 matched patients compared at least 6 months of semaglutide or tirzepatide with naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram and found lower 1-year relapse (IRR 0.55) plus BMI and HbA1c improvement.

Caveat

This observational single-health-system comparison had baseline metabolic differences, no mortality difference, and only a non-significant trend toward lower decompensated cirrhosis.

Simplified

BACKGROUND: Metabolic dysfunction (MetD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) frequently coexist as synergistic risk factors for steatotic liver disease. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are established therapies for MetD, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Recent studies suggested potential beneficial effects of GLP-1RA to decrease addictive behaviours in AUD. We evaluated the outcomes of GLP-1RA therapy compared with FDA-approved pharmacotherapies for AUD, including naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram, in patients with dual risk factors of MetD and AUD.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients at Stanford Health Care (2017-2025). Eligible patients had a concurrent diagnosis of alcohol-related complications meeting criteria for AUD and MetD, including obesity (BMI > 25) and/or a history of T2DM with HbA1c > 5.7. Those with advanced liver disease within 1 year of diagnosis were excluded. Exposure groups included ≥ 6 months of GLP-1RA therapy (semaglutide or tirzepatide) in comparison with FDA-approved pharmacotherapies for AUD. Propensity score matching was employed to reduce the effects of confounding factors.

RESULTS: In total, 1946 patients were diagnosed concurrently with AUD and MetD. Of them, 274 patients were exposed to GLP-1RA, 1272 to naltrexone, 232 to acamprosate, and 168 to disulfiram. Patients were followed for an average of 1341 days. Patients exposed to GLP-1RA had higher BMI (35.5 vs. 30.1) and more T2DM (66% vs. 14%). GLP-1RA therapy was associated with lower 1-year AUD relapse [IRR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.73; p < 0.01], greater BMI reduction (-1.3 vs. -0.3; p = 0.004), and HbA1c improvement (-1.0 vs. +0.1; p = 0.02). The incidence of decompensated cirrhosis trended lower but was not statistically significant [HR 0.52, p = 0.09]. Mortality was similar.

CONCLUSIONS: GLP-1RAs are a promising option for patients with concurrent MetD and AUD, improving relapse rates and metabolic outcomes compared with currently FDA-approved pharmacotherapies for AUD. Trends toward better liver outcomes support further prospective evaluation.