The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a randomized clinical trial testing whether semaglutide, the GLP-1 medication sold as Ozempic and Wegovy, can reduce drinking among veterans with alcohol use disorder. Recruitment began at the end of July across 18 VA medical centers.
The study, called the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans trial, or CRAVE, will enroll more than 600 veterans aged 18 to 80 with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder. Participants will receive weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety follow-up period, and researchers will track changes in drinking, overall health, and quality of life.
