VA Launches Nationwide Trial Testing GLP-1 Drug for Alcohol Use Disorder in Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched the CRAVE clinical trial to test whether semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) can treat alcohol use disorder in veterans. Over 400,000 veterans have AUD. The 24-week study will enroll more than 600 veterans aged 18-80 at 18 VA medical centers nationwide, measuring changes in alcohol consumption, health, and quality of life. Recruitment began July 28, 2026. The VA cautioned against self-medication and noted larger trials are needed.
Editorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Reports are grouped by semantic similarity and deterministic rules. Language models may assist titles, summaries, translation and cross-source analysis; the page itself is projected from evidence records.
- Current automated evidence projection
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
VA to test whether GLP-1s can treat alcohol use disorder
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a new clinical trial, the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans (CRAVE) trial, to investigate whether GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs popular for weight loss, can effectively reduce alcohol consumption in veterans with alcohol use disorder. The trial aims to explore the potential repurposing of these medications, which have shown promise in early studies for curbing cravings and substance use. If successful, the CRAVE trial could offer a new treatment option for veterans struggling with alcohol dependence, addressing a significant health concern within the veteran community.
VA to test whether GLP-1s can treat alcohol use disorder
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a new clinical trial, the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans (CRAVE) trial, to investigate whether semaglutide—the active ingredient in weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy—can help treat alcohol use disorder. The trial will screen more than 600 veterans aged 18 to 80 with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder over 24 weeks. Participants will receive weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo, with researchers tracking changes in drinking, health, and quality of life. The study will be conducted at 18 VA medical centers nationwide and is expected to conclude in spring 2027. The VA cited a March study showing GLP-1 medications reduced the risk of developing substance use disorders. The VA urged veterans not to self-medicate with GLP-1s and noted that approved treatments are available. Alcohol use disorder affects over 29 million Americans, including more than 400,000 veterans.
VA launches trial to test GLP-1 medication for alcohol use disorder in veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a nationwide clinical trial, the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans (CRAVE) trial, to test whether semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy) can treat alcohol use disorder in veterans. Over 400,000 veterans have been diagnosed with AUD. The trial will enroll more than 600 veterans aged 18-80 at 18 VA medical centers. Participants will receive weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety evaluation. Researchers will measure changes in alcohol consumption, overall health, and quality of life. The study builds on prior research suggesting GLP-1 medications may affect brain reward pathways and reduce substance use disorders. VA Secretary Doug Collins stated the goal is to expand treatment options for veterans. Recruitment began July 28, 2026.
Show 11 older updatesHide older updates
VA launches trial to test GLP-1 medication for alcohol use disorder in veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a nationwide clinical trial, called the CRAVE trial, to test whether semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy) can treat alcohol use disorder in veterans. The study will enroll over 600 veterans aged 18 to 80 at 18 VA medical centers. Participants with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder will receive weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety evaluation. Researchers will measure changes in alcohol consumption, overall health, and quality of life. The VA cited an analysis showing GLP-1 medications lower rates of substance use disorders. VA Secretary Doug Collins stated the goal is to expand treatment options for veterans. Recruitment began July 28, and interested veterans can contact their local VA medical center or search ClinicalTrials.gov.
VA launches trial to test GLP-1 medication for alcohol use disorder in veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a nationwide clinical trial, called the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans (CRAVE) trial, to test whether semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy) can treat alcohol use disorder in veterans. The trial will enroll over 600 veterans aged 18 to 80 at 18 VA medical centers. Participants with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder will receive weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety evaluation. Researchers will measure changes in alcohol consumption, overall health, and quality of life. VA Secretary Doug Collins stated the goal is to expand treatment options for veterans. The department cautioned against self-medication and noted that larger controlled trials are needed to confirm safety and efficacy. Recruitment began July 28, 2026.
VA launches trial to test GLP-1 medication for alcohol use disorder in veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a nationwide clinical trial, called the CRAVE trial, to test whether semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy) can treat alcohol use disorder in veterans. The study will enroll more than 600 veterans aged 18 to 80 at 18 VA medical centers. Participants with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder will receive weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety evaluation. Researchers will measure changes in alcohol consumption, overall health, and quality of life. VA Secretary Doug Collins stated the goal is to expand treatment options for veterans. Recruitment began July 28, 2026. The VA cautioned veterans not to self-medicate with GLP-1 medications without consulting a healthcare provider.
VA launches trial to test GLP-1 medication for alcohol use disorder in veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched a nationwide clinical trial, the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans (CRAVE) trial, to test whether semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy) can treat alcohol use disorder (AUD) in veterans. Over 400,000 veterans have been diagnosed with AUD. The trial will enroll more than 600 veterans aged 18-80 at 18 VA medical centers. Participants will receive weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety evaluation. Researchers will measure changes in alcohol consumption, health, and quality of life. The study is based on prior research suggesting GLP-1 medications may affect brain reward pathways and reduce substance use disorders. VA Secretary Doug Collins emphasized expanding treatment options for veterans. Recruitment began July 28, 2026.
VA launches trial to test GLP-1 medication for alcohol use disorder in veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a nationwide clinical trial, the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans (CRAVE) trial, to test whether semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy) can treat alcohol use disorder in veterans. Over 400,000 veterans have been diagnosed with the condition. The study will enroll more than 600 veterans aged 18 to 80 at 18 VA medical centers. Participants will receive weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety evaluation. Researchers will measure changes in alcohol consumption, overall health, and quality of life. VA Secretary Doug Collins stated the goal is to expand treatment options for veterans. Recruitment began July 28, 2026. The VA cautioned against self-medication and noted that larger controlled trials are needed to confirm safety and efficacy.
VA launches trial to test GLP-1 medication for alcohol use disorder in veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a nationwide clinical trial, the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans (CRAVE) trial, to test whether semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy) can treat alcohol use disorder in veterans. Over 400,000 veterans have been diagnosed with the condition. The trial will enroll more than 600 veterans aged 18-80 at 18 VA medical centers. Participants will receive weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety evaluation. Researchers will measure changes in alcohol consumption, overall health, and quality of life. VA Secretary Doug Collins stated the goal is to expand treatment options for veterans. Recruitment began July 28, 2026. The VA cautioned against self-medication and noted that larger controlled trials are needed to confirm safety and efficacy.
VA launches trial to test GLP-1 medication for alcohol use disorder in veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched a nationwide clinical trial to test whether semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, can treat alcohol use disorder (AUD) in veterans. Over 400,000 veterans have been diagnosed with AUD. The Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans (CRAVE) trial will enroll more than 600 veterans aged 18-80 at 18 VA medical centers. Participants will receive weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety evaluation. Researchers will measure changes in alcohol consumption, health, and quality of life. VA Secretary Doug Collins stated the goal is to expand treatment options for veterans. Recruitment began July 28, and interested veterans can contact their local VA medical center or search ClinicalTrials.gov.
VA launches trial to test GLP-1 medication for alcohol use disorder in veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a nationwide clinical trial, the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans (CRAVE) trial, to test whether semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy) can treat alcohol use disorder in veterans. Over 400,000 veterans have been diagnosed with the condition. The study will enroll more than 600 veterans aged 18 to 80 at 18 VA medical centers. Participants will receive weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety evaluation. Researchers will measure changes in alcohol consumption, overall health, and quality of life. VA cited a March analysis showing GLP-1 users had lower rates of alcohol use disorder. VA Secretary Doug Collins stated the goal is to expand treatment options for veterans. Recruitment began July 28, 2026. The VA cautioned against self-medication without consulting a healthcare provider.
VA launches trial to test GLP-1 medication for alcohol use disorder in veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a nationwide clinical trial to test whether semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, can treat alcohol use disorder in veterans. The Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans (CRAVE) trial will enroll over 600 veterans aged 18-80 at 18 VA medical centers. Participants with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder will receive weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety evaluation. Researchers will measure changes in alcohol consumption, overall health, and quality of life. The study builds on research suggesting GLP-1 medications may affect brain reward pathways and reduce substance use disorders. VA Secretary Doug Collins stated the goal is to expand treatment options for veterans. Recruitment began July 28, and interested veterans can contact their local VA medical center or search ClinicalTrials.gov.
VA launches trial to test GLP-1 medication for alcohol use disorder in veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a nationwide clinical trial, the CRAVE trial, to test whether semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy) can treat alcohol use disorder in veterans. Over 400,000 veterans have been diagnosed with the condition. The 24-week study will enroll more than 600 veterans aged 18-80 at 18 VA medical centers, with participants receiving weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo. Researchers will measure changes in alcohol consumption, health, and quality of life. VA Secretary Doug Collins stated the trial aims to expand treatment options for veterans. Recruitment began July 28, 2026. The VA cautioned against self-medication and noted that larger controlled trials are needed to confirm safety and efficacy.
VA launches trial to test GLP-1 medication for alcohol use disorder in veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a nationwide clinical trial to test whether semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, can treat alcohol use disorder in veterans. The CRAVE trial will enroll over 600 veterans aged 18-80 at 18 VA medical centers. Participants with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder will receive weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety evaluation. Researchers will measure changes in alcohol consumption, overall health, and quality of life. VA cited a March analysis showing GLP-1 users had lower rates of alcohol use disorder. VA Secretary Doug Collins stated the goal is to expand treatment options for veterans. Recruitment began July 28, 2026. The VA cautioned veterans not to self-medicate without consulting a healthcare provider.