# What is the VA CRAVE trial?

CRAVE is a Phase 3 VA trial testing whether weekly semaglutide reduces drinking in veterans with alcohol use disorder. NCT07218354, CSP #2041, 18 VA sites.

> This is an independent informational site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency, and it cannot enroll anyone in the CRAVE trial.

CRAVE — Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans — is a Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research and Development. It is testing whether weekly semaglutide injections reduce drinking in veterans with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder. It will enroll more than 600 veterans aged 18 to 80 across 18 VA medical centers. Participants receive semaglutide or placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety follow-up. Recruitment opened July 28, 2026. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT07218354. VA study number CSP #2041.

## VA safety statement on GLP-1 medications

> "VA strongly discourages self-medicating or attempting to replace other AUD treatment options with GLP-1 medications or any other unprescribed substances. Evidence-based, proven treatments are available at VA facilities to support Veterans with AUD."

— U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs press release, July 30, 2026. Source: https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-launches-trial-of-glp-1-treatment-for-alcohol-use-disorder/

## Is semaglutide approved for alcohol use disorder?

No. Semaglutide is not FDA-approved to treat alcohol use disorder; it is approved for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management only.

- Semaglutide is NOT FDA-approved to treat alcohol use disorder. It is approved for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management only.
- There has been no newly FDA-approved medication for alcohol use disorder since 2006. Three medications are approved: naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram.
- A Phase 3 trial exists precisely because the answer is not yet known. Randomized placebo-controlled trials require clinical equipoise — documented genuine uncertainty about which arm is better.

## Key facts

- More than 400,000 veterans in the VA system are diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.
- Some estimates put alcohol use disorder at nearly 11% of US adults.
- The trial is expected to conclude in spring 2027.
- ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT07218354; VA study number CSP #2041; 18 VA medical centers; recruitment opened July 28, 2026.

## Where to go for the real trial

- ClinicalTrials.gov study record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07218354
- Find a VA medical center: https://www.va.gov/find-locations/

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Canonical: https://cravetrial.com/
Author: Jason Burns, Editorial Steward — https://cravetrial.com/steward
Published: 2026-08-04T08:00:00-07:00
Modified: 2026-08-06T09:15:00-07:00
Last verified: 2026-08-06
Publisher: CRAVE Trial Info, a product of Adolicious LLC, 79 E Daily Drive #115, Camarillo, CA 93010 (support@adolicious.com)
Disclosure: This is an independent informational site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency, and it cannot enroll anyone in the CRAVE trial.
Veterans Crisis Line: call 988 then press 1, or text 838255. Available 24/7.
Further reading: https://directanswersrx.com/answers/can-semaglutide-treat-alcohol-use-disorder
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