Top addiction stories of 2024: The emerging role of GLP-1s; historic rise in hallucinogens

Preliminary evidence indicates that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and similar weight-loss drugs may also help treat substance use disorders.

The “exciting findings” align with preclinical data and other clinical observations, “strengthening the likelihood that this is a genuine effect,” Adam Bisaga, MD, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and research scientist at New York State Psychiatric Institute,” told Healio.

A review of the evidence was Healio’s most-read story on addiction and substance use disorders of 2024.

Other top stories include a historic rise in cannabis and hallucinogen use, clinical pearls for treating alcohol use disorder and more:

Drugs for diabetes, weight loss may also help treat substance use disorders

Ozempic (semaglutide, Novo Nordisk) and similar drugs for diabetes and weight-related conditions were associated with a 40% lower rate of opioid overdose and 50% lower rate of alcohol intoxication in people with opioid and alcohol use disorders, a study showed. Read more.

Cannabis, hallucinogen use ‘historically high’ among adults in 2023

Among young adults aged 19 to 30 years and early midlife adults aged 35 to 50 years, past-year use of cannabis and hallucinogens remained at “historically high” levels in 2023, according to the Monitoring the Future Panel Study Annual Report. Read more.

‘Doctor, please help me... I just can’t stop drinking’

Risky alcohol use is very common. Nearly 40% of adults in the United States consume alcohol in an unhealthy manner. Read more.

Impaired driving in older adults acute 30 minutes after cannabis ingestion

In a cohort of older adults who smoked cannabis, impaired driving and elevated blood THC levels were significant 30 minutes after ingestion, according to research from JAMA Network Open. Read more.

FDA approves generic over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray

The FDA has approved an abbreviated new drug application for naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray, paving the way for the opioid overdose treatment to be available without a prescription. Read more.

What providers should know about changes to substance use confidentiality regulations

HHS, through its Office for Civil Rights and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, published its final rule amending federal regulations protecting confidentiality of substance use disorder treatment records. Read more.

‘Doc, I’m ready to quit’: Evidence-based approaches to smoking cessation

Cigarette smoking is the No. 1 preventable cause of mortality in the United States. It is expensive, socially stigmatized and contributes to significant costs — personally and societally. Read more.

VIDEO: Frontline expert sees ‘parallels’ between medicinal cannabis and opioid epidemic

Today’s cannabis comes at a much higher potency level than that grown just 10 or 20 years ago, and with increased potency comes higher risk, according to a speaker at the Osteopathic Medical Education Conference. Read more.

DEA proposes reclassifying marijuana to Schedule III substance

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, moving it from a Schedule I to Schedule III substance. Read more.

Link between psychedelic use, manic symptoms in teens may be associated with genetics

While psychedelic use may be associated with fewer psychotic symptoms among adolescents, the link between psychedelics and manic symptoms appears to be associated with genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, data show. Read more.