Weight loss drug could cure alcohol abuse

Scientists are increasingly hopeful that a new weight loss drug may also treat alcohol dependency, after the publication of preliminary positive research.

Since Wegovy started to be used to treat obesity, doctors have reported that patients are also cutting their alcohol intake.

A small study with a series of case studies has reported the same findings. The publication comes as researchers await the findings of several full-scale trials.

Laboratory work has shown that Wegovy, also known as semaglutide, reduced alcohol consumption in mice.

Doctors have reported similar anecdotal evidence from patients.

Kyle Simmons, an associate professor at Oklahoma State University, and Jesse Richards, of the Oklahoma University School of Community Medicine, are the authors of a study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry that has collated these reports, along with an attempt to quantify the strength of the effect. Simmons is leading a clinical trial to investigate the drug more rigorously.

Simmons said that if a link was proven, it might “become the most widely used addiction medicine treatment ever”.

The latest study was possible because patients at Richards’ weight loss clinic filled out forms detailing their alcohol use. This was done because some other weight loss interventions can lead to an increase in alcohol intake.

Of the 79 patients investigated, six reported worrying levels of drinking. After taking the drug, they all moved to more normal drinking levels.

One woman went from 20 on the self-reported drinking scale – about a bottle and a half of wine a night – to 6. Richards said this was more like a glass a night with a bit more at the weekend. Two others went to a 2 – from being binge drinkers to largely abstemious.