Now, the growing buzz around the use of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic to treat alcohol use disorder finally has new clinical study results that support this theory. (Prior studies have simply found a link between taking a GLP-1 receptor agonist and drinking less—but didn’t go so far as to actually prove that the medications caused people to drink less.

In 2022, when the surge in popularity of the GLP-1 class of weight loss and diabetes drugs really began, stories of surprise benefits besides shedding pounds soon surfaced. One of those – that the medication changed drinking and smoking habits overnight – understandably piqued the interest

For years, people taking Ozempic or other drugs in the same class for diabetes and weight loss have noticed the medicines don’t just curb their desire to eat; for some, they also lead them to drink less alcohol.