Research and Pilot Programs

CASPR's mission is to bring better addiction medicines to market-- high impact treatments that can reduce the rates of addiction at a population scale. Currently only 3% of people with substance use disorders choose to take medication, because existing options have poor efficacy and strong side effects. We want to change that.

GLP-1RAs have shown immense promise for reducing opioid overdoses, alcohol use disorders, and several other substance use disorders (SUD). CASPR is committed to advancing research on GLP-1s and helping bring them to market. CASPR provides funding to research centers for trials and programs focused on GLP-1RAs and addiction, as well as the downstream impacts of addiction, including recidivism and employment. Current studies and programs funded by CASPR include:

• A retrospective health record study on the effect of GLP-1s on overdose rates in Veterans at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA). This study will measure the health outcomes of veterans with opioid use disorder (OUD) who were prescribed a GLP-1 for diabetes or obesity, and compare those with outcomes of veterans with OUD who were not treated with GLP-1s. Prior retrospective studies in the general population have shown up to 68% reduction in opioid overdoses in people taking GLP-1s.
• Pilot program offering semaglutide to patients at Caron Treatment Centers, a highly regarded national rehab network. In its early months, this program has continued to demonstrate efficacy of GLP-1s for SUD: an entire cohort leaving Caron's 28-day treatment program reported zero cravings. Furthermore, Caron patients with stimulant use disorder have reported positive experiences with GLP-1s - an exciting development, considering that there is no FDA-approved medication for stimulant addiction. Learn more.
• Pilot program providing semaglutide to women and men in transitional housing post-incarceration. OpenDoors RI is an organization that serves vulnerable populations highly impacted by poverty and addiction. This pilot provides semaglutide to participants with addiction history and observes impacts on their recovery and success. Learn more.

CASPR is currently planning a major study of 1,200 individuals in Pittsburgh, in partnership with the Department of Human Services in Allegheny County. This study will measure the impact of GLP-1s on alcohol and opioid use, as well as economic and social outcomes including recidivism and employment.

To follow CASPR's ongoing research work, please subscribe to our Substack, Recursive Adaptation.

Evidence for GLP-1s and SUD

There is a significant body of evidence for GLP-1s reducing craving and consumption of substances including alcohol, opioids, tobacco and cannabis. Below is a summary of recent research and there is much more detail in our Review of the Evidence for GLP-1s and Addiction.

Alcohol Use Disorder

In a retrospective study of over 600,000 patients with Type 2 diabetes or obesity who took semaglutide, there was a reduction of both new and recurring AUD of 50-56%. The implications here are significant: even in patients without a history of alcohol addiction, semaglutide created a prophylactic effect relative to the broader population. A recent Phase 2 study demonstrated the same benefit of semaglutide at low doses on patients with AUD: 48% reduction in alcohol consumption, and 39% reduction in alcohol cravings.

Opioid Use Disorder

A retrospective study on 30,000+ patients with OUD who took semaglutide showed up to 68% reductions in overdose; in a much larger retrospective of 500,000+ patients, reduction in overdose was 60% in patients taking semaglutide or tirzepatide.

Tobacco Use Disorder

In a 220,000 patient retrospective, patients taking semaglutide were 68% less likely to subsequently be prescribed a smoking cessation prescription compared to insulin users.

Cannabis Use Disorder

Semaglutide users showed a 38-44% lower risk in new/recurring cannabis use disorder diagnoses compared to other obesity treatments.