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E-Newsletter • October 2026 |
Editor's E-Note
October is recognized as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. A new option for decreasing substance abuse could come from an unexpected source: GLP-1s. While these medications were developed for treating diabetes and obesity, they may influence cravings for more than just food.
This month’s newsletter highlights two recent studies on GLP-1s and substance use disorders (SUDs). Researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso found that GLP-1 use was consistently associated with lower odds of SUDs among people with type 2 diabetes or obesity, suggesting potential for GLP-1s to help mitigate SUDs in these populations. Another study found that among adults with alcohol use disorder and type 2 diabetes or obesity, GLP-1 use was associated with a lower risk of alcohol-related hospitalization, suggesting a potential role for GLP-1s in alcohol-use disorder. However, more research is needed to determine whether GLP-1s can be repurposed for SUD treatment.
We welcome your comments at SWTeditor@gvpub.com. Visit our website at www.SocialWorkToday.com, like our Facebook page, and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter.
— Heather Hogstrom, editor |
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Ozempic, GLP-1s May Help Curb Substance Use Disorders, Study Finds
Significantly lower rates of alcohol, nicotine, opioid, and cocaine use disorders found among patients taking GLP-1 medications
A new study led by researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso found that use of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and other GLP-1s is associated with a lower risk of developing alcohol, opioid, nicotine, and cocaine use disorders.
The study, led by UTEP School of Pharmacy researchers Tadesse Abegaz, PhD, and Gabriel Frietze, PhD, was published in Frontiers in Psychiatry. It looked at more than 142,000 cases of patients with type 2 diabetes or obesity, of which around 20,000 were prescribed GLP-1 medications. They then examined whether GLP-1 users were more or less likely to develop substance use disorders than similar counterparts who were not on the medications.
GLP-1s are a class of medications that were originally developed for treating obesity and diabetes. But emerging evidence suggests these medications may influence dopamine signaling and other neural pathways that contribute to cravings—not only of food but other substances.
"Our findings add to growing evidence that GLP-1 medications may influence more than appetite and blood sugar regulation," says lead author Abegaz. "These medications appear to affect brain pathways involved in reward and craving, which could help explain the lower rates of substance use disorders observed in our study."
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Study Finds Surgical Patients With Mental Health Conditions Who Receive Music Therapy Are More Medically Complex
For patients with substance use disorders who undergo surgery, postoperative pain management places them at increased risk of developing opioid use disorder. A study from University Hospitals Connor Whole Health published in the Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine researched the effectiveness of music therapy for surgical patients with mental health and/or substance use disorders to reduce opioid exposure.
Tufts Medicine Co-Leads $44 Million NIH Grant to Transform Advance Care Planning With Social Work–Driven, Video-Assisted Model
Tufts Medicine Tufts Medical Center will test a new model of advance care planning in which social workers lead conversations about patients’ end-of-life care preferences using video decision-support tools available in 25 languages. |
New Book Offers Lessons From the Therapy Room
Lessons From the Therapy Room by Duncan Kitchin will be published by Hawksmoor Publishing on November 11, 2026. The book distills Kitchin’s experience as a psychotherapist and a clinical supervisor into 91 short, candid reflections on the craft of therapy, including the issues clients don't raise early on, the questions therapists often avoid, and the moments when he got it wrong. It grew out of what his supervisees kept telling him they wished someone had taught them. Written for trainees, practicing therapists, and supervisors, it offers the kind of practitioner wisdom usually passed on one supervision session at a time.
Integrated Specialty Care and Mental Health Solution
A partnership between Carrum Health, the leader in value-based Centers of Excellence for specialty care, and Lyra Health, the leader in workforce mental health solutions, eliminates treatment gaps for complex conditions and offers full-spectrum mental health services. Carrum’s specialty care services, including surgical, cancer care, and substance use disorder treatment, are integrated with Lyra’s behavioral health services to address a critical gap in employer benefits. |
The nation's top employers and recruiters of social workers advertise in Social Work Today magazine and post their job openings on AHCJobBoard.com. Check out the most recent opportunities that have been submitted by employers across the country!
Featured Employer
Defense Health Agency
Social Worker
Irwin Army Community Hospital, Fort Riley, Kansas, United States
Social Worker (Family Advocacy)
Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia, United States
Clinical Psychologist-Mental Health Consultant GS-0180-13
Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia, United States
Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health Consultant)
Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, Washington, United States
Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health Consultant)
Irwin Amry Community Hospital, Fort Riley, Kansas, United States |
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