The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a nationwide clinical trial to test whether semaglutide — the GLP-1 medication behind Ozempic and Wegovy — can help veterans reduce or stop drinking, as the agency looks for new tools to treat alcohol use disorder among the more than 400,000 veterans currently diagnosed with it.
The Phase 3 trial, called the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans study, or CRAVE, will enroll more than 600 veterans ages 18 to 80 at 18 VA medical centers nationwide. Participants with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder will receive weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo over 24 weeks, followed by a safety monitoring period. Researchers will track changes in drinking, overall health and quality of life. Recruitment began July 28, and the study is expected to conclude in spring 2027.
"This clinical trial reflects medical research that VA is uniquely situated to launch and is aimed directly at benefiting veterans," VA Secretary Doug Collins said in a statement announcing the trial. "By exploring emerging treatment options like the use of a GLP-1 for AUD, we aim to expand the tools available to help veterans take control of their health and recovery."
Why the VA Is Testing It
The VA cited a March 2026 analysis published in the National Library of Medicine that found patients on GLP-1 medications had lower rates of alcohol use disorder and other substance use disorders compared to similar patients taking other diabetes medications. That analysis also found GLP-1 use was associated with fewer emergency room visits, hospitalizations and other adverse outcomes among people who already had a substance use disorder, along with a 25% reduction in suicidal ideation among GLP-1 users.
VA officials say those findings are largely observational, meaning people already prescribed GLP-1 drugs for diabetes or weight loss happened to show reduced substance use — not proof that the medication directly causes it. The CRAVE trial is designed to test that link directly, in a controlled setting.
The Scope of the Problem
More than 29 million people in the U.S. experienced alcohol use disorder in 2022, according to the VA, and more than 400,000 veterans have been diagnosed with it. Existing treatment medications, such as naltrexone, are already available, but researchers hope semaglutide could work through a different biological pathway and offer an additional option for veterans who haven't responded to current treatments.
Veterans interested in participating in the CRAVE trial can contact their local VA medical center or search for the study on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — official press release
Additional reporting from Task & Purpose, Military.com, and AddictionCenter.com.