GLP-1 Has Reduced My Drinking, but Alcohol Hits Me Much Harder Now

[Pip66]

Eight weeks into a GLP-1 medication now, still at the starter dose. Genuinely working well, dropping weight, food noise way down, healthier choices coming easier, plus regular gym sessions keeping momentum good. One surprise, drinking's dropped too, roughly half of a typical night out before. Initially felt like desire for alcohol just vanished, though certain social settings still pull old habits back. So it helped without erasing that side completely. What's thrown me off is that drinking less now means recovery afterward hits way harder. One late night out with just a handful of drinks left me dizzy, still intoxicated, nauseous, wrecked the next morning, sleeping away most of that day. Odd drinking less yet getting hit that much harder. Anyone run into this on a GLP-1? Appreciate the reduction, though half wish it killed the urge entirely. Also wondering if a stronger dose would help specifically with cravings, though current levels already deliver on weight and appetite.

 

[apricot_recomp]

Mounjaro turned social drinking into an actual choice rather than a compulsion. No real craving for alcohol these days, but out with friends, occasionally nursing one beer for a full hour, capping out around two or three drinks max for the night. Before starting GLP1s, the next drink was already on the mind before finishing the current one.

 

[sage-ginger97]

No lingering effects for me, but alcohol hits way faster now with less body mass to buffer it. Also have way less junk food sitting in my stomach these days to soak up the alcohol like before.

 

[ramen_month152]

Drinking dropped off at first on MJ but crept back up a few months in. Wasn't ever heavy drinking to begin with and still isn't, so it doesn't worry me much, though I could do without the extra calories honestly. Noticed certain drinks hit way harder now too, beer especially, my guess is that's just from carrying 30 fewer pounds and less fat overall, nothing more specific going on than that.

 

[bagel_freshstart]

Still seeing so much negativity aimed at glp 1s, probably because people assume it's purely about looks and vanity. If the mental health side got more attention, opinions might shift. In my case, the spiraling thoughts, obsessive loops, and constant rumination just stopped completely, and stepping away from that emotional rollercoaster feels incredible. Worth noting though, alcohol seems to cancel that effect temporarily, I start 'feeling' things again while drinking. Just during, though. By the next morning I'm back to my preferred steady baseline.

 

[foggy_lentil]

Heard plenty of positive talk around this drug class curbing alcohol cravings, but as someone who drinks every day, sadly that hasn't matched my own results. What actually happens is drinking gets so physically unpleasant that it kills the desire on its own. Had to give up drinking on weeknights since every evening I'd pour a glass, it would sit badly in my stomach, then I'd wake up with a brutal headache and just feel awful the next morning. That said, the cravings themselves show up nightly regardless, so I just lean on willpower rather than any pharmaceutical assist

 

[TitrationTechnician]

Well, there's a lot of research pointing to Glp1 cutting back alcohol cravings and drinking overall. Apparently it even helps with actual alcohol abuse. Worth searching up the JAMA Psychiatry piece on this if you want the details, it's a solid read.

 

[workingonhere98]

Genuine question here. I've got a friend who drinks fairly heavily. Not sure I'd call her an alcoholic exactly, but she could stand to lose some weight. She asked whether I thought a GLP-1 made sense for her, and I mentioned that a side perk is it tends to lower both the craving for alcohol and how much your body can handle. Now she's completely off the idea. Help me make sense of that.

 

[saltynoodle59]

Semaglutide has slashed my drinking, frankly a larger victory than any weight loss, since I used to overdo it. Two glasses of wine is about my max. When I'm out, I can go slightly beyond that, but cocktails hold no interest now. Beer was never my drink, though one or two is doable. Slow down on alcohol, it doesn't really mix with GLPs.

 

[DrinksTheWater]

GLP-1 pretty much ended my drinking, and life got more consistent: better meals, regular workouts, generally more organized. It started with labeling vials, moved to meal prep (calories, portions), and lately even my workout plans get labels. I really like this change.

 

[Pulloff11]

GLP-1s reduce addiction and cravings for addictive things. Trials are testing it against alcohol and drug dependence, and it definitely works on food addiction. For me the urge to drink vanished almost entirely. Not a heavy drinker before, roughly 2-3 drinks two nights a week, but now it's about one monthly, probably less, and I rarely think about it. While on the medication I also found candy gross, and chips too, and any greasy or saucy food, which upset my stomach and ruined the whole day. Strawberries and broccoli became my cravings, odd but very healthy. I also drank more water than ever, like 120 oz daily. Results vary, yet my candy addiction simply ended.

 

[misty-offgrid21]

Same boat as you, the glp-1 hasn't done a thing for my alcohol cravings. I actually deal with alcohol use disorder though. Currently on antabuse, which keeps me dry for extended periods, though sometimes I pause it to have a drink for an occasion worth celebrating. That always ends rough, alcohol makes me feel absolutely terrible and I'm back on the antabuse within days. The glp-1 does help me get back on track faster at least, makes we want to stop drinking again sooner. I do love a good non-alcoholic mocktail though, really enjoy sipping one after the kid's gone to bed. Think you'd like them too.