New Study Reveals Weight-Loss Medications Significantly Reduce Alcohol Consumption

Recent research conducted in Ireland indicates that weight-loss medications, specifically liraglutide and semaglutide, can lead to a substantial reduction in alcohol consumption among users. Presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) and published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, this study highlights a promising connection between obesity treatments and alcohol intake.

Alcohol use disorder remains a serious global issue, responsible for approximately 2.6 million deaths annually, accounting for 4.7% of total global fatalities. While various treatment options, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and certain medications, have shown short-term efficacy in managing alcohol consumption, relapse rates remain high, with 70% of individuals reverting to previous drinking patterns within a year.

In previous animal studies, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs, which are primarily developed for obesity management, displayed potential for decreasing alcohol consumption. However, findings regarding their effects in human subjects are still emerging.

To gain deeper insights, Professor Carel le Roux and a team from University College Dublin, in collaboration with researchers in Saudi Arabia, analyzed the drinking habits of patients enrolled in an obesity treatment program in Dublin. This real-world study involved 262 adults, predominantly female (79%), with an average age of 46 and a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher.

Participants were classified based on their alcohol intake prior to treatment: non-drinkers (31 individuals, 11.8%), rare drinkers (fewer than 10 units per week, 52 individuals, 19.8%), and regular drinkers (over 10 units per week, 179 individuals, 68.4%). A follow-up conducted after an average of four months showed that none of the participants reported an increase in their alcohol intake.

Before starting treatment with GLP-1 analogs, the average alcohol consumption among participants was 11.3 units per week. Following treatment, this figure dropped dramatically to 4.3 units per week, marking a reduction of nearly two-thirds. Regular drinkers in the study observed an even more significant decrease, from 23.2 units per week to 7.8 units per week. This 68% reduction is comparable to outcomes achieved with nalmefene, a medication prescribed for alcohol use disorder in Europe.

Although the precise mechanism through which GLP-1 analogs diminish alcohol consumption is still under investigation, it is believed that these medications may help control cravings originating from brain areas that operate outside of conscious awareness. Many patients have reported that the experience of reducing alcohol intake feels 'effortless.'

Despite some limitations, such as the relatively small sample size and reliance on self-reported alcohol consumption without a control group, the research's strengths lie in its prospective design and the real-world context of the data collected. Professor le Roux emphasized the importance of these findings, stating that the beneficial effects of GLP-1 analogs extend beyond weight management and warrant further investigation.