GLP-1 Medication and Reduced Alcohol Intake

GLP-1 medications have completely changed obesity medicine and one of the ways they have done this is through craving reduction. My patients often experience fewer food and sugar cravings while on a GLP-1 medication. With fewer cravings comes a decrease in nighttime snacking, stress-eating, and better food choices overall. Interestingly enough sugar is not the only craving reduction my patients have been noting. Many patients are also describing a decreased desire to drink alcohol with GLP-1 medication. A lot of patients that previously drank several drinks nightly are finding that alcohol just doesn’t sound good to them anymore. I have seen this lead to a significant reduction in alcohol consumption as well as weight loss with the elimination of these empty calories.

Reduction in alcohol cravings with GLP-1 injections is now being recognized by healthcare providers nationwide. Using GLP-1 medications to treat alcohol use disorder is something that we will likely see being studied in depth these next couple of years. Right now, more research is needed before this medication gets the FDA label to treat alcohol use disorders.

Kristine is the founder of WeightMed PLLC, Washington’s Premier Obesity Medicine Clinic. WeightMed PLLC prescribes GLP-1 medications in the Seattle, Puget Sound area, Vancouver, Spokane Valley, and all of Washington State.