A groundbreaking study suggests that medications used to treat obesity could also help heavy drinkers reduce their alcohol consumption, offering hope for those looking to decrease their intake. The research, published in the Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism Journal, involved 262 adults with obesity and examined the impact of obesity medications on alcohol use.
The study found that two medications, liraglutide and semaglutide, which are commonly prescribed for obesity and type 2 diabetes, led to a significant reduction in alcohol intake among participants. On average, those using the medications decreased their alcohol consumption from 12 to 4 units per week, with some heavier drinkers cutting their intake by up to two-thirds (from 23 to 8 units). This reduction was equivalent to moving from drinking 12 pints to just 4.
Additionally, participants experienced weight loss, shedding an average of 8kg over four months, with a positive correlation between alcohol reduction and weight loss. Importantly, no participants in the study experienced an increase in alcohol consumption.
Dr. Maurice O’Farrell, lead researcher from the Medication Weight Loss Clinic in Dublin, highlighted the potential benefits for individuals dealing with both obesity and alcohol use disorders. The findings offer new hope for those who struggle to control both weight and alcohol consumption.
The study’s results suggest that obesity medications work by altering the brain’s reward system for alcohol, which helps individuals enjoy alcohol less without affecting its taste. This mechanism is different from traditional treatments for alcohol use disorder, providing a promising alternative for those who have not had success with behavioral or motivational interventions.
Professor Carel le Roux, an obesity specialist at University College Dublin, noted that this research aligns with earlier trials and suggests these medications could be part of a broader strategy for tackling both obesity and alcohol-related problems, which affect public health.
With alcohol-related harm causing around 1,500 deaths annually in Ireland, these findings may prove crucial in the fight against alcohol abuse, particularly considering the high relapse rate associated with conventional treatments.
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