Can GLP-1 drugs help curb alcohol use? The VA wants to find out. | MOAA Headlines

Now headlines from around the Uniformed Services community presented by the Military Officers Association of America

President Trump signed an executive order establishing a military spouse commission to address challenges faced by service members' families

The commission, chaired by Jennifer Hegseth, is made up of spouses of senior military officials and the spouse of the Secretary of Homeland Security

The aim of the Commission is to develop policies addressing persistent areas of concern for military families

including housing, employment, health care, education, and deployment-related support. While a recent focus on quality of life issues resulted in a 2025 pay raise for junior troops

the strain of frequent PCS moves, access to affordable child care, and spouse unemployment rates upwards of 20

have been among the most persistent issues facing military families. MOA has long been a champion of military spouse and family issues Reauthorizing the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and adding military spouses as an eligible group remains a top concern and it is one of the primary issues for MOA summer advocacy campaign

WOTC is a proven strategy for reducing unemployment. When the credit was extended to veterans, post-9-11 veteran unemployment dropped from around 15% to a rate comparable with the civilian population

Spouse employment affects stability, readiness, and retention. If families are under financial strain, they may opt to leave uniformed service

WOTC expired in 2025 and is awaiting congressional action, and lawmakers need to hear from service members and their spouses about how this affects them

Another important issue in MOA's advocacy campaign is restoring GLP-1 coverage for TRICARE for Life beneficiaries

which was cut in August 2025. These drugs have been covered through the TRICARE Pharmacy Program since 2021, specifically

for obesity medical conditions not cosmetic use Removing seniors but allowing prime and select beneficiaries continued coverage turns the program into a two system

Or as one Tricare for Life beneficiary said, that's Tricare for some

For many affected beneficiaries, this issue is about more than a prescription

It is about preserving access to treatments that improve their health and honoring commitments made to military retirees

Speaking of GLP-1 drugs, The VA announced a trial to evaluate whether certain GLP-1s can treat alcohol use disorder

The study, known as the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans Trial

will enroll more than 600 veterans at 18 VA medical centers nationwide

Participants between the ages of 18 and 80 with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder

will receive weekly injections of either semaglutide or placebo over a 24-week period

Researchers will track changes in drinking health and quality of life to determine whether the medication offers a meaningful new treatment option Recruitment for the trial has begun and veterans interested in participating can visit their local VA or visit

clinicaltrials.gov. The VA also recently announced a trial to evaluate whether psilocybin

the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, could be effective and safe to treat depression

and PTSD in veterans who have not responded to other treatments. The trial follows the recent

executive order by President Trump to increase clinical trials and research for various psychedelic

drugs and mental health. According to a VA press release, the trial will be conducted in a safe

controlled clinical setting using pharmaceutical-grade drugs under careful quality controls, stringent safety protocols that were developed with FDA, and in a setting that includes

psychological support. The VA strongly discourages self-medication in place of medical treatment

For more headlines affecting the uniformed services community, visit moaa.org slash news