Does Ozempic Kill Your Alcohol Cravings? (Source: Yes)

The Viral Claim

For years, people on GLP-1 medications have reported an unexpected side effect: their desire to drink alcohol just... disappeared. Reddit threads, TikTok videos, and news articles have documented countless anecdotes of people who say they simply stopped wanting alcohol after starting Ozempic or Wegovy.

But anecdotes aren't evidence. Was this real, or placebo effect?

The Evidence: JAMA Psychiatry Study

In April 2025, researchers published the first landmark randomized controlled trial in JAMA Psychiatry confirming what users had been saying: semaglutide significantly reduces alcohol consumption in people with alcohol use disorder.

This wasn't a small observational study. It was a properly designed clinical trial led by Christian Hendershot, PhD, a psychologist now at the University of Southern California, demonstrating that GLP-1 drugs can alter addictive behavior in people with a diagnosed substance-use disorder.

Supporting Evidence: The Swedish Registry Study

Earlier research from Sweden had already suggested a connection. A large population study using Swedish health registries found that people taking GLP-1 medications for obesity had lower rates of alcohol-related hospitalizations compared to those taking other obesity medications.

For our full analysis of the alcoholism research, see: GLP-1s for Alcoholism: What the JAMA Study Actually Found →

Why Does This Happen?

Scientists have mapped out why GLP-1 drugs reduce both food cravings AND alcohol cravings—they work on the same brain pathways:

What Users Report

Anecdotal reports consistently describe similar experiences:

• "I just forgot to drink" — Many users say alcohol simply stops occurring to them as an option
• "One drink is enough now" — Previously heavy drinkers report feeling satisfied after one drink
• "Alcohol tastes different" — Some report that alcohol doesn't taste as good or appealing
• "No urge at social events" — People who relied on "liquid courage" say the social anxiety driving drinking also decreased
• "Morning cravings gone" — Those with alcohol dependence report the physical pull toward drinking disappeared

Important Caveats

Before you ask your doctor for Ozempic to quit drinking, know this:

• Not FDA-approved for alcohol use disorder: Semaglutide is only approved for diabetes (Ozempic) and obesity (Wegovy). Using it for alcohol reduction is off-label.
• Not a replacement for addiction treatment: GLP-1 drugs may be a tool, not a cure. Comprehensive treatment addresses psychological, social, and physical factors.
• More research needed: While the JAMA trial is significant, larger Phase III trials would be needed for FDA approval for this indication.
• Side effects still apply: GI side effects, potential muscle loss, and other risks of GLP-1 drugs remain relevant.

Where Research Is Heading

More than a dozen randomized clinical trials testing GLP-1 drugs for addiction are now underway worldwide, including studies for:

• Alcohol use disorder — Multiple trials in progress
• Opioid use disorder — Penn State Phase II trial underway (read more)
• Nicotine/smoking cessation — Clinical trials ongoing
• Cocaine use — Preclinical evidence strong; human trials planned

Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks indicated at the 2025 JP Morgan healthcare conference that the company plans to study tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) for "a number of dependencies—alcohol, tobacco seems pretty straightforward."

The Bottom Line

If you're struggling with alcohol use and considering GLP-1 medications, talk to your healthcare provider. These drugs are not approved for alcohol treatment, but the emerging evidence is promising enough that some physicians may discuss off-label use in appropriate cases.

For those already on GLP-1s for weight loss or diabetes who notice reduced alcohol interest: you're not imagining it. The science confirms what you're experiencing.