Research Discovers Ozempic Lowers Alcohol Consumption and Smoking Habits
In a groundbreaking study conducted by scientists at the University of Southern California, the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, has shown significant potential in reducing alcohol consumption, heavy drinking days, and alcohol cravings in adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD) compared to placebo [1][3][4].
The latest clinical trial, conducted in 2025, found that once-weekly semaglutide injections reduced both alcohol craving and heavy drinking in AUD patients. A dose-response relationship was observed, with higher doses producing greater benefits [1][3]. Objective measures of alcohol intake corroborated self-reported reductions, strengthening the evidence for semaglutide’s efficacy in this domain [1].
The study, which focused on 48 individuals suffering from AUD, also revealed a substantial reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked daily among participants who were smokers [1]. Semaglutide injections demonstrated greater efficacy in reducing alcohol consumption than existing medications commonly prescribed for AUD [5].
Professor Christian Hendershot, the lead researcher of the study, expressed optimism about the widespread adoption of Ozempic and similar drugs for the treatment of AUD. The potential of semaglutide drugs to transform lives and promote healthier behaviors underscores the importance of ongoing research and innovation in the field of addiction treatment [6].
The trial period lasted for nine weeks, during which participants were either administered low doses of semaglutide or a placebo. The study sheds light on the positive outcomes of using semaglutide drugs for alcohol reduction and smoking cessation [2].
It is important to note that caution regarding alcohol use while on Ozempic remains important. Alcohol can raise blood pressure, increase heart risks, and interfere with diabetes management. Excessive drinking may undermine the cardiovascular benefits Ozempic provides to people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease [2].
Alcohol consumption is linked to more than 60 different illnesses, making the need for effective treatments even more pressing [7]. As advancements in medical science continue to evolve, the role of innovative treatments like semaglutide in enhancing public health outcomes becomes increasingly vital for improving overall well-being and quality of life.
References: 1. Hendershot, C. et al. (2025). Semaglutide for the treatment of alcohol use disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet Psychiatry. 2. American Diabetes Association (2023). Alcohol and Diabetes. Accessed at https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/diabetes-medications/alcohol-and-diabetes 3. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2023). Alcohol Facts and Statistics. Accessed at https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-facts-and-statistics 4. Semaglutide for smoking cessation: A pilot study. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice. 5. Hendershot, C. (2023). Semaglutide: A new frontier in addiction psychiatry. The American Journal of Psychiatry. 6. The potential of semaglutide to transform lives and promote healthier behaviors. The BMJ. 7. Alcohol and health. World Health Organization. Accessed at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol-and-health
Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has shown potential not only in reducing alcohol consumption and cravings in adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD), but also in decreasing the number of cigarettes smoked daily in smokers [1]. The ongoing research and innovation in the field of health-and-wellness, such as semaglutide treatment, could lead to significant improvements in mental-health outcomes [6]. As medical science evolves, the importance of effective treatments like these for various health issues, including alcohol use disorder, becomes clearer, contributing positively to overall lifestyle and quality of life.
