GLP-1s Can Help Reduce Interest in Alcohol and May Be a Tool for Those With Addiction Issues

Emerging research, anecdotal experiences and preliminary studies suggest GLP-1 medications can reduce people’s interest in alcohol, thereby potentially helping those with alcohol abuse issues. “These medications act on brain pathways tied to reward and impulse control, which are also involved in substance use,” explains psychiatrist, addiction medicine specialist and Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Eleanor Health, Nzinga Harrison, MD. While it’s still early in the research, we asked some experts about how GLP-1s may be able to benefit those struggling with alcoholism in the future.

Featured Experts

• Nzinga Harrison, MD is a psychiatrist, addiction medicine specialist and the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Eleanor Health
• Dr. Spencer Nadolsky is an obesity and lipid specialist
• Eduardo Grunvald, MD is an internist and obesity medicine specialist

Can GLP-1s Actually Reduce Interest in Alcohol?

Obesity and lipid expert Dr. Spencer Nadolsky notes that because these drugs are meant to have an effect on the reward center of the brain they can have a dampening effect on interest in alcohol in addition to food. “GLP-1-based treatments seem to reduce both desire and reward from alcohol (and perhaps other addictive substances). Desire and reward are two different neurological phenomena, both based in a system in our brains called the mesolimbic system,” says internist and obesity medicine specialist Eduardo Grunval, MD. Other behaviors like desire for eating, sex and water are also mediated by these dopamine systems, he notes.

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“By dampening the brain’s reward response, alcohol may feel less reinforcing, leading to fewer cravings or a reduced desire to drink,” says Dr. Harrison. “Anecdotally, some Eleanor Health members tell us that GLP-1s quiet the ‘alcohol noise’ in their brains in much the same way these medications quiet ‘food noise’ for others,” says Dr. Harrison, who notes this is a promising sign. “Results vary, and GLP-1s weren’t developed to treat alcohol use disorder, but the science and lived experience are continuing to evolve,” she adds.

Could GLP-1s Be a Helpful Tool for Those Who Struggle With Alcoholism?

Experts say the GLP-1s could potentially help with alcoholism, but we’re still waiting on more thorough evidence. “These drugs are currently being actively studied for alcohol use disorder (as well as other addiction disorders). We just don’t yet have convincing data on effectiveness and safety,” says Dr. Grunvald.

Dr. Nadolsky notes that there are a few notable concerns to resolve. For example, with the current drugs, you may need to be on a higher dose to experience the reduction in interest in alcohol, he says. Additionally, he notes, there’s the risk that people may lose weight when they shouldn’t lose weight if they are already thin. “There are drugs being put through research and development right now that are GLP-1s that are made specifically for alcohol abuse,” says Dr. Nadolsky, so more in-depth information will be available in the near future.

Dr. Harrison notes that it’s important that, if using GLP-1s, they are part of a comprehensive care plan. “Alcohol use disorder is a complex medical condition shaped by biology, mental health, trauma and environment. While GLP-1s may help reduce cravings for some individuals, they don’t address the underlying drivers of alcohol use on their own,” she says. At Eleanor Health, medications, whether GLP-1 or other medications for addiction treatment, are viewed as one tool among many. “The most effective care combines medical support, therapy and recovery coaching, tailored to each person’s goals.”