ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Charles George Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Asheville has been selected as one of 18 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers participating in a national clinical trial studying whether a popular diabetes and weight-loss medication could help treat alcohol use disorder.

The study will evaluate semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist commonly prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, as a potential treatment for veterans with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder.

According to the VA, more than 400,000 veterans nationwide have been diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, while the condition is estimated to affect nearly 11 percent of adults in the United States.

“AUD affects many veterans in our community, and we are proud to support research that seeks better treatments,” Charles George VA Medical Center Director Stephanie Young said in a news release. “By contributing to research that explores new treatment options for AUD, we are helping drive innovations that could improve the health and lives of the veterans we serve and civilian populations outside of VA.”

Researchers have become increasingly interested in GLP-1 medications because they may influence the brain’s reward system, which plays a role in addiction. A study published in March found patients taking GLP-1 medications had lower rates of alcohol use disorder and other substance use disorders compared with patients using other diabetes medications. Previous research has also linked the medications to fewer emergency department visits, hospitalizations and other complications among people with substance use disorders.

The new clinical trial, known as the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans, or CRAVE, trial, aims to determine whether semaglutide can safely reduce alcohol use in veterans.

The study plans to enroll more than 600 veterans between the ages of 18 and 80 who have moderate or severe alcohol use disorder. Participants will receive weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety monitoring period. Researchers will evaluate changes in alcohol consumption, overall health and quality of life.

Recruitment for the study began July 28. Veterans interested in participating can contact their local VA medical center or search for the CRAVE trial on ClinicalTrials.gov.

VA officials emphasized that veterans should not self-medicate or replace proven alcohol use disorder treatments with GLP-1 medications unless directed by a health care provider. The agency said evidence-based treatment options remain available through VA medical centers and encouraged veterans to discuss any treatment decisions with their medical team.