Weight-Loss Drug Cuts Heavy Drinking by 41% in New Study

A medication already helping millions lose weight might offer new hope for people struggling with alcohol use disorder.

Researchers in Denmark tested semaglutide on 108 adults dealing with both obesity and problem drinking. Half received weekly shots of the drug while the other half got a placebo, and everyone participated in therapy to help reduce their drinking.

After six months, the results were striking. People taking semaglutide cut their heavy drinking days by 41%, compared to 26% for those on the placebo. Blood tests confirmed the reduced alcohol intake.

The study, published in The Lancet, represents the first randomized controlled trial testing GLP-1 drugs in people actively seeking help for alcohol use disorder. Currently, only three medications are approved in the U.S. to treat this condition.

Dr. Anders Fink-Jensen, the study's lead author and board-certified psychiatrist, emphasized the importance of combining medication with therapy. "There was also a strong reduction in the placebo group, which is probably linked to the psychotherapy," he told ABC News.

Participants experienced benefits beyond drinking less. They reported lower alcohol cravings, lost weight, and showed improved blood sugar control. The side effects were mild gastrointestinal issues similar to those seen when using GLP-1s for weight loss.

Why This Inspires

This research offers fresh hope for the estimated 8 million American adults who struggle with both obesity and heavy alcohol use. That combination raises serious risks for liver disease and other health complications.

Dr. Pessah-Polluck, an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Health not involved in the study, called the findings remarkable. "What I found very interesting about this study is that semaglutide may be more effective than any of the current FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder," she said.

Researchers believe semaglutide might work by regulating the brain's reward pathways, similar to how it helps with weight loss. "It may be that these compounds could be effective against several drugs of abuse, not just alcohol, and not just in patients with obesity," Fink-Jensen noted.

The study had limitations. It was relatively small and focused only on people with obesity, mostly white participants. Scientists still don't fully understand the exact mechanism behind these promising results.

More research lies ahead, but for millions facing the dual challenge of obesity and alcohol use disorder, this study opens a door that didn't exist before.