A new use for popular weight-loss medications is gaining attention as telehealth companies begin prescribing GLP-1 drugs to patients seeking help with substance use disorders. According to an October 22, 2026, report from STAT News, some providers are exploring these medications as a potential treatment for addiction, even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved them for that purpose.
GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound, have become widely known for their effects on weight management and blood sugar control. However, researchers are increasingly interested in how these drugs may influence the brain’s reward system, which plays a role in cravings and compulsive behaviors. Early research suggests that GLP-1 medications could potentially reduce the desire to consume alcohol or other addictive substances, opening the door to applications beyond diabetes and obesity treatment.
The growing interest has created an opportunity for telehealth providers to offer prescriptions for uses that have not yet received specific FDA approval. This practice, known as off-label prescribing, is legal in the United States when appropriately conducted. Doctors can prescribe approved medications for conditions outside their official labeling, provided they use their medical judgment and meet applicable standards of care. However, legal prescribing does not mean a treatment has been proven effective or established as safe for every intended use.
The key question is whether GLP-1 medications can deliver meaningful, lasting improvements for people struggling with addiction. Although early studies and patient reports have generated interest, much of the evidence remains preliminary. Researchers still need larger, well-designed clinical trials to establish which substances might respond to treatment, what doses could be appropriate, and what risks patients might face. GLP-1 drugs can also cause side effects, including nausea, vomiting and other gastrointestinal problems, and they are not suitable for everyone.
Existing addiction treatments should not be overlooked while this research develops. Medications such as buprenorphine and methadone are established treatments for opioid use disorder, while other medications and behavioral therapies can help people manage alcohol dependence and other substance-related problems. GLP-1 drugs are not currently a proven replacement for these approaches.
The broader development illustrates how rapidly telehealth can bring emerging medical ideas into practice, sometimes before research has fully established their value. If clinical trials eventually confirm that GLP-1 medications can help reduce addiction-related cravings and improve recovery, they could become an important addition to treatment options. For now, patients and providers must balance the promise of a new approach against the uncertainty surrounding its effectiveness, safety and long-term benefits.
What makes this development particularly important?
The latest reporting highlights that the trend is moving beyond individual doctors experimenting with off-label prescriptions. Telehealth companies are now marketing GLP-1 medications specifically to people seeking help with addiction, while pharmaceutical companies are also investigating potential treatments. Eli Lilly, for example, is studying brenipatide for alcohol use disorder, while other companies are pursuing their own clinical programs.
There is some encouraging scientific evidence, but the results are not conclusive. A 2026 study supported by the National Institutes of Health found that adding semaglutide to cognitive behavioral therapy reduced heavy-drinking days among people with obesity and alcohol use disorder. However, a broader review of randomized trials published in 2026 found that the available combined evidence did not establish statistically significant benefits across the alcohol and tobacco outcomes it examined.
There is also an important distinction between prescribing an FDA-approved drug for an off-label use and selling an unapproved version of that drug. Compounded GLP-1 medications do not undergo the same FDA review for safety, effectiveness and quality as approved products. In March 2026, the FDA announced warning letters to 30 telehealth companies over misleading claims about compounded GLP-1 products.
