Until law, GLP-1 drugs were used to treat diabetes, obesity and even the recent evidences suggest that it could as well be used to treat chronic kidney problems. There is yet another research, published in JAMA Psychiatry on February 25, titled Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial that explores if GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide reduce alcohol consumption and cravings in adults with alcohol use disorder.

What Do Studies Say?

The research was conducted over a period of 9 weeks, where in the randomized clinical trial, the participants who were administered semaglutide, it led to reductions in some but not all measures of weekly consumptions. It also reduced weekly alcohol and craving related to placebo, and also led to a greater relative reduction in cigarettes per day.

The research also found that weekly injections of semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in weight loss drugs like Wegovy also helped reduce cravings in people with alcohol use disorder.

The lead author Christian Hendershot said that these findings will help in developing new approaches to treat alcoholism. "Two drugs currently approved to reduce alcohol consumption aren't widely used. The popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists increases the chances of broad adoption of these treatments for alcohol use disorder," said Hendershot in news release by the University of Southern California's Institute for Addiction Research, where he is the director.

The study is government-funded research and was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study was small, and took in account for only 48 adults over two months, thus experts say that it is not yet clear how safe these drugs are for people who do not need to lose weight. Though the results do add up with the evidence form animal studies on drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy on how it helps manage cravings, not just for food, but also for tobacco and alcohol. Scientists are also studying these drugs on smokers, people with opioid addiction and cocaine users.

Co-author Dr Klara Klein of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who treats people with obesity and diabetes said, "This is such promising data. And we need more of it. We frequently will hear that once people start these medications that their desire to drink is very reduced, if not completely abolished."

Why Does It Work So Well Against Alcoholism?

The GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking hormones GLP-1 in the gut and brain that regulates appetite and feelings of fullness. This response is what helps one lose weight, and what helps one curb their craving for alcohol. These drugs that mimic the functioning of your brain, which is responsible to tell your body when to stop consuming, are the same hormones that tell your body about other kinds of consumptions, including alcohol. Therefore by consuming the weight loss drugs one can treat alcohol use disorder.

However, the researchers have pointed out on the limited data on the research and have suggested to continue using the three approved drugs by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, namely, Disulfiram, Naltrexone, and Acamprosate to treat alcohol use disorder until large studies confirm these findings.

The cyclospora parasite outbreak in the US is continuing to grow, with cases nearing 900, according to local health officials.

While infections have been reported in about 18 states, Michigan and Ohio continue to see the highest number of cases of the intestinal infection.

As of July 6, 678 cases of cyclosporiasis had been confirmed, an official from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) told ABC News. This is an increase from roughly 300 cases reported last week. The state annually records up to 50 cases, but the current outbreak is about 13.5 times higher than average.

According to Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, an infectious disease physician, epidemiologist, and the chief medical executive for the state of Michigan, the figure is a "moving target," meaning cases are likely to continue rising.

"There is a significant lag time between exposure to contaminated produce or contaminated materials and development of symptoms," she told ABC News. "So it can take a week, sometimes even two weeks between exposure and development of symptoms."

In Ohio, there were 177 cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 2, Ken Gordon, press secretary for the Ohio Department of Health's communications office, was quoted as saying.

Cases have been confirmed across 43 counties in Ohio so far this year, according to Gordon. Nearly 171 cases have been reported since June 20.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 145 cases had been detected in 17 states since May 1, excluding Michigan, as of June 16, with at least 20 people hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

The CDC said cases ranged in age from 5 to 86 years, with a median age of 42. About 61 per cent of patients were female.

So far, no cases have been linked between states, and health officials are still investigating whether there is a common source of the outbreak in Michigan.

Also read: Cyclospora Parasite Spreads to More US States: Foods to Avoid Right Now

How to Prevent Cyclospora Infection

The CDC recommends following safe food handling practices to reduce the risk of infection:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking.
• Produce labeled "prewashed" does not need to be washed again.
• Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
• Cut away any bruised or damaged areas before eating.
• Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables within two hours.

The parasite spreads through food or water contaminated with human feces and is not spread directly from person to person.

According to Dr. Darien Sutton, an emergency medicine physician, proper handwashing is very important.

"This type of parasite doesn't easily go away with alcohol-based hand sanitizer. So, good old handwashing is really key here," said the ABC News medical correspondent.

What Is Cyclospora cayetanensis?

Read More: Bryan Johnson Blames Sugary Cereals, Soda and Stress for His Autoimmune Disease; Shares Treatment Plan

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, a form of food poisoning.

People can become infected through contaminated food or water. The infection causes watery diarrhea and other intestinal symptoms.

A Cyclospora infection can be mild or severe and may last for weeks or even months. It is typically treated with antibiotics.

People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or cancer, are at greater risk of severe disease.

Symptoms of Cyclospora Infection

Symptoms of cyclosporiasis usually begin within a week of exposure to contaminated food or water and include:

• Watery or explosive diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating and gas
• Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
• Low-grade fever
• Nausea
• Stomach cramps
• Vomiting.

The launch of the weight-loss drug Wegovy has sparked fresh concerns among pharmacists in the UK, who warn that the new tablet format could make it easier for manufacturers to produce and sell counterfeit medicines.

Wegovy Demand Sparks Counterfeit Concern

The once-daily semaglutide pill, developed by Novo Nordisk, recently became available through private high street and online pharmacies after receiving approval from the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

While the pill is expected to help patients who are reluctant to use injections, experts fear it may also increase the risk of a growing black market for fake weight-loss drugs.

According to a survey conducted by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) with 310 pharmacies, 97% believe that the weight loss tablet could lead to an increase in counterfeit products being sold unlawfully.

Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association said, “As this survey shows, pharmacies are concerned about a dangerous and growing black market for weight loss medicines, with tablet form of medication likely to be easier for criminals to counterfeit.”

He said that all patients must visit an authorised pharmacy for Wegovy pills.

He added: “Patients should only ever obtain weight loss medication from a regulated pharmacy after an appropriate consultation with a healthcare professional. Fake medicines pose a serious risk to health because they may contain harmful ingredients or incorrect doses.”

Also read: Wegovy Weight Loss Pill Available in UK Pharmacies From Today: All You Should Know

Global Concern

Unlike injectable medications of GLP-1, tablets often require less sophisticated manufacturing equipment, which makes it easier to make counterfeits.

As the medicated weight loss market is rising after the popularity of GLP-1 medications increased, criminals can produce fake pills on a large scale, using simple equipment.

Counterfeit GLP-1 medicines have already become a growing global concern. In September 2025, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said that there had been a sharp rise in illegal forms of semaglutide and other GLP-1 medicines online.

The agency also warned that these fake medicines may contain no active ingredient, improper doses, or harmful substances that can lead to failure of treatment or serious health complications.

Demand for GLP-1 medicines such as Wegovy and Mounjaro has soared worldwide as studies continue to demonstrate significant weight loss benefits.

Also read: Can Ozempic-Like GLP-1 Drugs Slow Aging, Boost Longevity?

Clinical trials of the oral Wegovy tablet have shown participants taking the highest dose lost approximately 14% to 17% of their body weight over 64 weeks when combined with diet and exercise. However, pharmacists say the popularity of these treatments has also created opportunities for fraudsters.

Experts urge consumers to avoid purchasing weight-loss medicines from unofficial online sellers or social media advertisements, regardless of how attractive the prices appear.

Genuine GLP-1 medicines require a medical consultation and prescription, and authorised pharmacies carry out necessary clinical checks before selling them.

About Wegovy

The semaglutide (Wegovy) tablet is the first oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medicine approved in the UK for weight loss.

It can be prescribed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for adults who have obesity (BMI of 30 or above), or are overweight (BMI between 27 and 30), and have at least one weight-related comorbidity

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced more than $281 million in funding opportunities through 15 grant programs aimed at addressing addiction, deaths from overdose, mental illness and strengthening recovery services across the country.

HHS Announces $281 Million To Address Addiction & Recovery

The funding, announced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is supposed to support several health initiatives, including substance use and its treatment, suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, overdose, integrated behavioral healthcare, workforce development, recovery support services, and training for first responders.

Part Of Trump’s Great American Recovery Initiative

The investment forms part of the Trump administration's Great American Recovery Initiative, which seeks to expand healthcare in the midst of the nation's ongoing addiction and mental health crises.

Announcing the initiative, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the funding would help communities get access to treatment, strengthen and improve recovery services, prevent overdoses, and provide frontline workers with the resources needed to save lives.

“We are investing more than $281 million through 15 grant programs to expand treatment, strengthen recovery services, prevent overdose, and equip communities with the tools they need to save lives, restore families, and Make America Healthy Again,” Kennedy said.

SAMHSA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Christopher D. Carroll said the grants reflect the agency's commitment to addressing the prevention of addiction and overdose-related deaths and treatment of long-term recovery support. The announcement comes amid continued efforts by the federal government to increase investments in behavioral health.

The grants will support effective treatment, strengthen prevention efforts, expand recovery services, and provide resources for the professionals and organizations working on the front lines of the addiction and mental health crisis,” Carroll said.

Read more: 80 Years Of CDC: How America’s Premiere Health Institution Changed Under Donald Trump’s Administration

Other Behavioural Healthcare Initiatives

Last month, HHS allocated more than $700 million in additional funding opportunities, including support for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), homelessness initiatives, and the new STREETS program, which aims to reach enable homeless people get treatment and recovery services.

Earlier this year, SAMHSA also distributed nearly $800 million in block grants to states and territories to strengthen mental health services and substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery programs, highlighting federal efforts to expand behavioral health infrastructure.

Despite these investments, the administration's handling of behavioral health funding has faced scrutiny. In January, the Trump administration briefly canceled nearly $2 billion in addiction and mental health grants before reversing the decision following widespread criticism from lawmakers, public health experts and service providers, who warned that disruptions could jeopardize essential treatment and recovery programs.

The latest funding announcement also comes as the United States continues to grapple with high rates of mental illness and substance use disorders.

SAMHSA says that more than 21 million American adults were grappling with both a mental illness and a substance use disorder in 2024, underscoring the need for integrated treatment and recovery services.