Weight loss therapy and addiction: Increased risk after bariatric surgery but reduced risk with GLP-1 receptor agonists
Authors' conclusion
Available data from observational cohort studies confirm an increased risk of addictive disorders following bariatric surgery, contrasting with a reduced risk with GLP-1RA therapy. Both physicians and patients should be informed of the higher risk post-surgery whereas available promising results with GLP-1RAs should be confirmed in ongoing dedicated randomized controlled trials before any official indication.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with obesity treated with bariatric surgery or GLP-1 RA therapy
- Comparison
- Bariatric surgery vs GLP-1 RA therapy
- Outcome
- Prevalence of addictive disorders (food addiction, alcohol abuse, smoking, cannabis, cocaine, opioid use)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Alcohol use disorder prevalence (observational cohort studies)
- Bariatric surgery: prevalence twofold higher after >2 years (11 studies)
- twofold higher
- GLP-1RA: prevalence reduced roughly by half (5 studies)
- roughly by half
Further findings
- Similar findings reported with other addictive disorders
Original publication
Weight loss therapy and addiction: Increased risk after bariatric surgery but reduced risk with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Diabetes Metab. Published 14 January 2025. doi:10.
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