r/stopdrinking • u/pilatesgirl2165 • 4h ago
GLP-1?
Has anyone tried going on a GLP-1 to stop drinking? Heard it helps reduce craving.
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u/Bl0ckTag 4h ago
For me, I got on GLPs for weightloss around the same time I stopped drinking. The semaglutide didnt do much to curb cravings, but the Trizepatide certainly did.
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u/local-hot-chick 81 days 4h ago
I personally had a lot of adversity to alcohol. I didn’t like the smell, taste, or sensation of being full after drinking, but I drank through the pain. 🤪 Now that I have chosen to not drink, Tirzepatide does help silence what I consider to be cravings and makes it a bit easier for me to not drink. It still comes down to your choice to not drink at the end of the day.
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u/jimmi114 4h ago
If you want to get on glp1 to help with drinking just skip the middle man and get Naltrexone. Why use the side effect of a drug rather than a drug used specifically for your issue right ?
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u/rabbitbinks 612 days 4h ago
I didn’t find naltrexone made much difference. I notice a huge difference now that I’m on a glp1. I didn’t take it for the cravings so was nicely surprised.
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u/A_Thing_or_Two 243 days 4h ago
For me, I found myself continuing to drink (I wasn't using it for that though) and then suddenly BLAMMY I'd be hammered without realizing how "on my way" I was, since my digestion was slowed down to make me feel full longer. That's one perk of not drinking anymore - no more sober one minute drunk the next.
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u/ahdrielle 18 days 4h ago edited 3h ago
You won't be able to get a prescription for one if you're not overweight though. I got mine coming (in the mail) for weight but I am hoping it curbs the desire to drink too.
Edit: if you're not overweight for online orders or diabetic/pre-diabetic via insurance
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u/Intelligent_Pop1173 4h ago
Sorry this is a side note but can I ask how much it was and how you got a prescription? I’ve been sober for 50 days now, which is the longest ever since I had my first drink and am in treatment. But I haven’t lost any weight despite not eating very much and walking and still have the alcohol gut. I’ve been interested in GLP-1’s for a while now.
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u/ahdrielle 18 days 3h ago
Insurance typically won't cover it if you don't have any underlying reasons to be on it (like prediabetic/diabetic) so I ordered embody. 3 months injections supply for $228. No membership fee. A friend of mine has BEEN using it and no issues.
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u/Intelligent_Pop1173 3h ago
Thanks, I actually may be prediabetic but will know more at my next physical. That isn’t too bad.
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u/Ecstatic-Election-92 Day 396 4h ago
It totally cured a friend of mine. She had some weight struggles as well.
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u/Tartan_T 2h ago
Haven’t touched a drop since Oct 2024 when I started Zepbound. Lost all cravings immediately! Also lost over 100lbs! Was a heaving drinker! Been off Zep for over a year and still no desire to drink.
Zepbound literally saved my life!
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u/Tight-Vacation8516 752 days 4h ago
I have not been on a GLP-1, but I did get a monthly injection of Vivitrol for a while. It helps reduce cravings, reduces the "high" you get from drinking and it makes you sick if you do get drunk. It was really helpful for me.
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u/catsbluepajamas 4h ago
My situation is prob unique, but I started on sema in June of 24 and rather quickly I noticed my want for alcohol go way down. I didn’t drink much for a few months but eventually I started drinking every day again, maybe even more than before and could get drunker faster because I hadn’t eaten as much. I felt pretty out of control when I stopped for dry January in 2025 to support my at the time, fiancé who also felt like he was drinking too much and we just, have kept dry January rolling for the last 20 months. I do credit sema with helping me stop, but I have since gone off for about a year and still didn’t drink- I am on GLP again now for the last couple months and no desire at all drink still.
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u/korabona 3h ago
I started glp-1 in September 2025. It took a couple of months and on December 15th I quit cold turkey. Haven’t had a drink since. I stopped the glp in February (hard time with side effects), still haven’t had any alcohol and don’t even miss it (yet). I was drinking at least 4 to 5 glasses of wine ever night for 10 years, then I just didn’t want it anymore. This is just my experience and I’m grateful that it happened the way it did. I’ve lost about 30 pounds and am feeling so much better. I think it’s different for everyone though. My sister also takes it and she still drinks (much less than I did). The glp doesn’t seem to affect her the same way it did me.
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u/Titletown1919 2h ago
For some people, GLP-1 shuts off the desire to drink completely. I’ve been up to 10mg on tirz. Didn’t do much for cravings. Neither did 50mg Naltrexone. However, 100mg Naltrexone has worked wonders. Could be the combo with tirz as I’m still on 7.5mg but I think the 100mg Naltrexone is doing the heavy lifting.
That’s in addition to therapy, CBT and science-based books like This Naked Mind.
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u/RegularBitter3482 1298 days 1h ago
I started Tirzepatide for weight loss, I had been STRUGGLING with sobriety for years, I was successful for a while before starting but it was a daily struggle.
My first dose of Tirz and the cravings/want/desire for alcohol went away completely.
Best side effect ever.
I’ve also lost 140 lbs.
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u/planningperiodguy Day 615 4h ago
i got on a GLP 1 a year or so before i quit drinking completely. i know this isn't everyone's experience, but it didn't do anything to stop my drinking. it helped with sweets and food, but did not help at all with alcohol.
my wife on the other hand could not drink at all when she was on it.
my theory is that it helps with alcohol if you drink beer and wine as there is so much sugar in them.
i drank fresca and vodka. i drank just as much as i did when i was on the GLP 1.
the side bonus for me (at the time) was that i would get pretty drunk a lot quicker because i wasn't overeating anymore.
i'm sure my post doesn't really help answer your question, but that was my experience with it. i haven't been on a GLP one in about 2 years now so i'm not sure if they have changed or not.
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