New Hope for Obesity Treatment: Could Weight-Loss Drugs Also Help Curb Drinking?
Recent research suggests that weight loss another, unexpected benefit: reduced alcohol consumption. Studies and anecdotal stories are emerging showing that medications like Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide), initially designed for weight management, may also help people cut back on drinking.
"Some patients taking weight-loss drugs, including popular GLP-1 treatments, reported reducing their alcohol intake," according to a recent study published in the scientific journal JAMA Network Open. This study, which involved over 14,000 participants, primarily focused on a weight loss program called WeightWatchers. Many participants were taking weight-loss medications such as Wegovy, Mounjaro, or older treatments like metformin. Almost half of those who drank alcohol before starting the medication reported drinking less afterwards.
This isn’t the first time a connection has been suggested. Notable researchers have thoroughly investigated these innovative drugs’ potential impact on addiction. "Previous studies have also shown that GLP-1 medications could help people with substance use disorders," notes the article.
Financial experts are also noticing this among users: A Morgan Stanley survey revealed that individuals using GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound experienced a reduction in alcohol consumption. Furthermore, "About 56-62% of alcohol consumers on GLP-1s reported drinking less alcohol since starting the medications, with about 14-18% cutting their alcohol consumption entirely." Confident yet cautious, Morgan Stanley warned against drawing firm conclusions without further research.
" Clinical trials are currently underway to better understand the effects of GLP-1s on alcohol and tobacco consumption," the article adds, highlighting the need for more scientific substantiation.
One encouraging signal comes from a small trial which showed people with alcohol use disorder drinking less frequently after taking Semaglutide – the key ingredient in Ozempic. This finding, though preliminary, offers hope for a new avenue in treating substance abuse.
While more research is necessary to confirm these findings, the preliminary evidence suggests an exciting possibility: that medications originally designed for weight loss might also help combat alcohol dependence, potentially offering a new weapon in the ongoing battle against addiction.
