It’s been the year of Ozempic and Mounjaro, with 1.5 million people in the UK now estimatated to be taking the weight loss injections
But as 2025 approaches its crescendo, there’s another drug people are looking to in their quest for moderation — but it’s booze, not food, that it targets.
Naltrexone – referred to as ‘Ozempic for drinkers’ – been praised on social media for helping those struggling with alcohol overconsumption to cut down.
Just as the drug for type 2 diabetics does, it targets the brain’s reward pathways to reduce cravings. While Ozempic works to reduce appetite, naltrexone blocks the pleasurable effects of alcohol and reduces the urge to drink.
Think it sounds ideal for Christmas party season? Here’s everything you need to know about it, from how it works to how it’s prescribed.
What is naltrexone?
Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor tells Metro that naltrexone is a medication that ‘works by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain, which can help reduce the pleasurable effects associated with drinking alcohol.’
‘By doing so, it may help individuals who are trying to reduce their alcohol intake or quit drinking entirely. When taken as prescribed, naltrexone can decrease the urge to consume alcohol, making it easier for individuals to stick to their recovery goals,’ Dr Suzanne adds.
Though it’s gathered the colloquial nickname ‘Ozempic for drinkers,’ Suzanne notes that it’s important to clarify that the two medications serve different purposes.
Ozempic, a brand of semaglutide, is ‘primarily used for weight management and diabetes, while naltrexone is an opioid antagonist used to help reduce alcohol cravings and consumption.’
So, how does it help people reduce their alcohol consumption?
Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp, who is a clinical lead for both substance misuse and women’s health, tells Metro that it works by reducing cravings, and has been shown to reduce both the ‘frequency and severity of relapse, especially in people committed to cutting down or quitting.’
Likewise, Dr Deepali adds that ‘by diminishing the reward associated with alcohol, naltrexone increases the likelihood of maintaining abstinence.’
How is naltrexone prescribed?
Naltrexone is only availble with a prescription, but you can access it privately or on the NHS.
As Dr Deepali outlines, it’s prescribed through NHS GPs, who can assess a patient’s alcohol use and determine if the treatment is appropriate.
They can also make referrals to a specialist alcohol treatment service, which might use psychological support alongside the drug.
‘These treatment approaches are typically most successful when combined with ongoing support, lifestyle changes, and therapies tailored to the individual’s needs,’ explains Dr Deepali.
Naltrexone can also be purchased privately for about £100 a month following a consultaion – or £3 per pill – but many users end up saving money by not buying alcohol.
Naltrexon users say the drug is ‘miraculous’
We’re sorry to inform you Naltrexone isn’t really for people who want to limit their alcohol intake as a one-off, so you’ll need to stick to old-fashioned self-control for your Christmas party.
But for those who drink regularly, and have developed a more serious dependency, it can be a game-changer.
Kate, who chose not to share her surname, described the impact as ‘miraculous’. After the birth of her second child, Katie – who runs her business from home, as well as homeschooling her children – began drinking frequently.
‘I was drinking every night for weeks straight,’ she told the Daily Mail. ‘And it was impacting my family.’
Desperate for a solution, Katie started taking naltrexone a couple of months ago.
‘It’s doing something to my brain, I’m already drinking less, having far more sober days, and feel more mindful when I do drink,’ she said. ‘Looking back to where I was, I can hardly recognise myself now.’
Is naltrexone the only treatment available to help with alcohol consumption?
Beyond counselling and lifestyle changes, naltrexone isn’t the only medical way to combat excessive alcohol consumption. As Suzanne adds, drugs called acamprosate and disulfiram work in a similar way.
The first works to ‘restore the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain that alcohol disrupts,’ while the second causes ‘unpleasant reactions’ to alcohol and, thus, acts as a deterrent for consuming excessive amounts.
What are the dangers of overconsuming alcohol?
Dr Deepali explains that one of the biggest dangers of overconsuming alcohol is liver disease, of which excessive drinking is the leading cause in the UK.
‘Many people are unaware of the damage they’re doing to their liver, as symptoms often appear only when the disease has progressed to an advanced stage,’ she says
Likewise, alcohol is a known carcinogen – and, as Dr Deepali tells Metro, is responsible for at least seven types of cancer, including breast, liver, mouth and throat.
‘Cancer Research UK highlights that alcohol-related cancer risk increases from the very first drink, and there is no “safe” level of consumption in terms of cancer risk,’ Dr Deepali notes.
Elsewhere, excessive alcohol consumption can also impact heart health – but consumed in moderation, it can actually be beneficial in this area.
‘While moderate drinking has been linked to some cardiovascular benefits, excessive alcohol consumption leads to high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease,’ Dr Deepali explains.
If you want to understand more about your drinking you can contact Drinkaware here.
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