Dr. Mark Gold: Can GLP-1s Help Treat Addiction? The Science Behind Cravings & Recovery

Could medications originally developed for diabetes and weight loss help transform addiction treatment? In this episode of We’re Out of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with addiction medicine pioneer Dr. Mark Gold, widely regarded as one of the founding figures of modern addiction medicine. For more than five decades, Dr. Gold has helped shape the scientific understanding of addiction, cravings, dopamine, withdrawal, and recovery, with groundbreaking research that has influenced treatment approaches around the world. Together, they explore the growing interest in GLP-1 medications, and why many researchers believe they could represent a major breakthrough in treating substance use disorders. Dr. Gold explains the science behind cravings, the gut-brain connection, food addiction, alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, and how GLP-1s may help reduce compulsive behaviors. Richard also shares observations from Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa after integrating GLP-1 medications into treatment for over three years, including an early finding that approximately 80% of participating patients have not relapsed. Dr. Gold helps place those observations into scientific context while emphasizing the need for continued research. The conversation also tackles one of the biggest questions surrounding GLP-1s: Should people stay on them long term? Dr. Gold offers a candid perspective on what researchers know, what they don’t know, and where the science is headed next.If you’re interested in addiction recovery, neuroscience, GLP-1 medications, cravings, and the future of addiction treatment, this episode offers a fascinating look at one of the most promising developments in the field today. If you’re interested in addiction recovery, neuroscience, GLP-1 medications, cravings, and the future of addiction treatment, this episode offers a fascinating look at one of the most promising developments in the field today.