From "Appetite Switch" to "Craving Off" - Can "Weight Loss Drugs" Help Quit Alcohol? The Frontline of GLP-1 and Addiction Treatment

The "Weight Loss Drug" Begins to Silence the Noise of Alcohol and Drugs

The GLP-1 receptor agonists (hereafter referred to as GLP-1 drugs), which have become a global trend as diet medications, are now quietly gaining presence in another field.
Reports are emerging from American specialized facilities and on social media that these drugs might weaken the "craving" of those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction.The Washington Post

Susan Aikin, 41, who received treatment at a rehabilitation facility in Florida, is one such example. Not wanting to lose weight but overwhelmed by intense urges for cocaine and alcohol, her doctor suggested Zepbound (active ingredient: tirzepatide), originally an "obesity treatment drug."The Washington Post

As she continued weekly self-injections, she found that her urges to buy beer at gas stations and the feeling of wanting to call a drug dealer when seeing sugar gradually "faded away."

"The drug isn't magic. But it does lower the volume in my head."

Aikin says. While long-term support such as behavioral therapy and support groups is crucial in addiction treatment, GLP-1 drugs are beginning to gain attention as a "brake" to help with the fundamental "not drinking or using today."

What Exactly Are GLP-1 Drugs? Why Might They Be Effective for Addiction?

GLP-1 drugs were originally developed as treatments for diabetes and obesity. The most representative ones are semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound). These drugs mimic the hormone "GLP-1," which is secreted from the intestine after meals, and

• promote insulin secretion

• slow down stomach movement to maintain a feeling of fullness

• reduce appetite and the urge to eat

among other effects.The Washington Post

Recent studies have focused on the impact of GLP-1 on the brain's reward system. In addiction, dopamine is excessively secreted in the brain each time alcohol or drugs are consumed, strengthening the circuit of "wanting more."

Animal experiments and human brain imaging studies suggest that GLP-1 drugs may work to "lower the gain (reduce the volume)" of this "reward circuit," potentially diminishing the pleasure experienced when consuming alcohol or drugs.The Washington Post

In a study published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports, the drinking habits and feelings of intoxication of obese individuals taking semaglutide or tirzepatide were examined, and

• a significant reduction in alcohol consumption

• a decrease in the amount consumed per drinking session

• a reduction in the frequency of so-called "binge drinking"

were among the results obtained.Bariatric News

Additionally, in another experiment where individuals taking GLP-1 drugs consumed alcohol in a bar-like setting, it was reported that the speed of alcohol absorption into the body was slower, and the onset of intoxication was milder.Scientific American
Researchers suggest that "by slowing the speed at which it reaches the brain, the sense of reward might also be weakened."

What is Happening in the Field of Addiction Treatment

According to an article in The Washington Post, the luxury rehabilitation facility "Caron Treatment Centers," based in Pennsylvania and Florida, is conducting a pilot program using GLP-1 drugs on over 130 patients with alcohol dependence and stimulant use disorders like cocaine.The Washington Post

The program is led by Dr. Stephen Klein, who transitioned from a pediatrician to an addiction specialist. Having his own recovery experience from alcohol dependence, he was prescribed the diabetes drug Mounjaro (also a tirzepatide formulation) three years ago and noted, "The voices in my head constantly thinking about food quieted down. It seemed to have affected the areas once occupied by alcohol and drugs."The Washington Post

From this experience, he saw potential in GLP-1 as a "drug to slightly lower the volume of cravings" and launched the program.

Furthermore, collaboration with the nonprofit organization "Open Doors," which supports women aiming for social reintegration from prison, has begun to provide GLP-1 drugs as tools to prevent recidivism and support long-term sobriety.The Washington Post

Of course, life doesn't change drastically with just medication. Patients receive treatment combined with 12-step programs, counseling, and life skills training. Even so, comments like "I now have room to think about other things instead of just alcohol" and "I can pass by the liquor section in the supermarket" seem to be a significant tailwind for continued treatment.The Washington Post

SNS as a "Preliminary Database": Voices from Reddit and X

Regarding this new usage, SNS has already become a kind of "massive clinical observation record."

An American research team analyzed over 68,000 GLP-1-related Reddit posts from 2009 to 2023, reporting that about 72% of the approximately 1,600 posts mentioning alcohol stated "reduced alcohol consumption" or "less desire for alcohol."Bariatric News

Thread titles include,

• "Did scientists accidentally invent an 'anti-addiction drug'?"

• "Since starting Mounjaro, my drinking has drastically reduced"

with hundreds of comments sharing personal experiences.healthday.com

On X (formerly Twitter), under hashtags like #Ozempic, #Wegovy, and #Zepbound,

• "My evening wine doesn't progress at all anymore"

• "Both cigarette and alcohol cravings have diminished"

are prominent positive voices. Meanwhile, from accounts of doctors and researchers,

• there is no official indication for addiction treatment yet

• side effects like nausea and gastrointestinal issues cannot be ignored

• long-term safety and efficacy require thorough clinical trials

are common cautious reminders.X (formerly Twitter)

Although these voices on SNS are highly biased, they are also a treasure trove of hints for researchers to find "hypotheses to be verified next."

Yet Addiction Treatment Is Not a "Magic Bullet"

While hope is being discussed, experts unanimously emphasize that "it is merely a possibility at this point."

A review paper published by the Endocrine Society in 2025 states, "GLP-1 drugs are a promising approach for alcohol and other substance use disorders, but there is not enough evidence to immediately fill the current treatment gap," summarizing in a cautious tone.endocrine.org

• Animal experiments and small-scale clinical trials suggest a decrease in alcohol consumption and cravings

• However, long-term follow-up data is scarce, and the relationship with side effects and addiction-specific risks (depression, suicidal thoughts, etc.) has not been sufficiently verified

• Current treatments (counseling, existing anti-alcohol and anti-craving drugs, etc.) are not sufficiently widespread

are among the challenges noted.

Stanford University psychiatrist Anna Lembke and others also call for cautious use and strict monitoring, stating, "There is no guarantee that new drugs acting on the brain's reward system won't create 'another addiction.'"Stanford Medicine

The Reality of Cost and Inequality

Another major hurdle is "money."

GLP-1 drugs are expensive, ranging from several hundred to a thousand dollars per month, and in the U.S., insurance coverage mainly targets diabetes and obesity. "Off-label" prescriptions for addiction treatment are generally not covered.The Washington Post

According to The Washington Post, some patients at Caron are depleting their inheritance to purchase injectable drugs at a personal cost of about $1,000 per month.The Washington Post

Some facilities reportedly use generic equivalent pharmacy formulations or practice "piggyback prescriptions," billing insurance for diabetes or obesity treatment while actually aiming to reduce cravings, sparking ethical debates.The Washington Post

On the other hand, there is a prediction that about 9% of the U.S. population will use some form of GLP-1 drug by 2035, raising the question, "Is it fair for only the wealthy to have access to drugs that can 'quiet cravings'?"##