How weight-loss medication is changing relationships with alcohol

Lisa Rees started taking weight-loss medication in April, hoping to shed a few kilograms. She was surprised by an unexpected benefit: the drug significantly reduced her alcohol consumption.

Rees, 46, used to drink two bottles of wine on a night out. Now, after just a couple of glasses, she finds she "just physically cannot drink another drop." This experience aligns with growing research into the link between weight-loss drugs and alcohol consumption.

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just physically cannot drink another drop

Drugs like Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic contain semaglutide or tirzepatide. These mimic a natural hormone, GLP-1, which suppresses appetite and promotes fullness. Early studies suggest these medications can reduce cravings for alcohol and nicotine by affecting the brain's reward pathways. A small-scale study in 2025 found participants with alcohol use disorder craved alcohol less while taking Ozempic. Another recent study indicated GLP-1 medications in pill form led to fewer days of heavy drinking in individuals with mild to moderate alcohol use disorder.

Users report varied effects. Some experience a complete loss of cravings, feel nauseous after drinking, or get intoxicated more quickly. Others, however, have noticed no change in their relationship with alcohol. Rees, who previously drank six to eight bottles of wine weekly, now consumes less than half that amount. She still enjoys wine but finds she cannot stomach more than a couple of glasses, even during social events like a recent day festival where she had three glasses over nine hours, a stark contrast to her previous consumption of two bottles plus vodka mixers.

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just physically cannot drink another drop