Every breakthrough starts with a plan. In July 2024, the design of the first randomized trial testing a GLP-1 for opioid cravings was published in the peer-reviewed journal Addiction Science & Clinical Practice.
Inside the blueprint
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Who took part: Adults entering residential care at Caron's Pennsylvania campus, who could still choose standard medications alongside the study.
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What they received: Daily liraglutide or a matching placebo, with the dose stepped up gradually over about three weeks.
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How cravings were tracked: Frequent smartphone check-ins throughout the day, plus responses to craving cues, so researchers could see cravings as they happened.
The team
Led by Penn State College of Medicine with NIH/NIDA funding. Caron co-author Dr. Adam Scioli served as a study physician.
Levelheaded is an independent company and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Caron Treatment Centers, Penn State, or the outlets referenced. Coverage is shared for informational purposes. GLP-1 medications are not FDA-approved for the uses discussed here, and the research described is early-stage.
