Semaglutide Shows Promise in Curbing Alcohol Cravings

These techniques can help to reduce the intensity of cravings and make it easier to resist them. If you’re a vegetarian, there are plenty of protein-heavy sources that don’t include meat. Used as an energy replacement for glucose and empty carbs, you’ll reap additional health benefits along with reduced alcohol cravings. This type of treatment uses varied approaches that treat each individual uniquely. Treating alcohol addiction with treatment and medication helps reduce the instances of relapse.

Interested in trying medication-assisted treatment?

Valerian root is known for its ability to promote relaxation and sleep, which can alleviate stress-related cravings for alcohol. Some people report vivid dreams or grogginess, so start with a low dose to gauge tolerance. NAC’s ability to replenish glutathione may support better overall health, which can, in turn, stabilize mood and reduce the tendency to crave alcohol. By considering these factors, you can choose the best anti-alcohol supplement for your needs. Remember to always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.

• A new phase 2 clinical trial appears to have demonstrated that semaglutide – a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist – can also curb alcohol consumption and cravings.
• In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues.
• Our coaching team at Ria is always here to help—just a tap away on your smartphone.

Cocaine Withdrawal Signs and Symptoms

This can be achieved through thoughtful meal planning and discovering new, delicious recipes. They trigger an endorphin release similar to the one that alcohol stimulates, making them an effective substitute. Whole grains, such as brown rice, oats, and whole wheat bread, are rich in complex carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are broken down slowly in the body, providing sustained energy and reducing the chance of experiencing alcohol cravings. Additionally, environmental factors play a significant role in alcohol cravings. For example, individuals who have grown up in households where alcohol misuse was drug addiction treatment prevalent may be more susceptible to developing cravings for alcohol themselves.

What Medications Help People Quit Drinking?

I was especially glad to see such compelling results from a study using a lower dose of semaglutide (you can read more about my thoughts on microdosing semaglutide here). Over nine weeks, participants received weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo. Semaglutide was dosed conservatively at 0.25 mg for the first 4 weeks, 0.5 mg for weeks 5-8, and up to 1 mg for the final week, if tolerated. “I have no desire to drink wine anymore,” she said of the effect of Ozempic.

Ozempic helped people drink less alcohol in a major study — unlocking a whole new playground for drug developers

This is key to keeping cravings under control, especially when your body is used to using alcohol as a quick form of fuel. MAT https://devious-eye-entertainment.oceanpromarketing.com/2020/10/30/why-do-i-sneeze-when-i-drink-alcohol-2/ is highly effective in treating AUD, significantly improving long-term recovery rates. By reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, MAT helps individuals stay focused on their recovery and decreases the likelihood of relapse. MAT involves using medications such as Naltrexone, Disulfiram (Antabuse), Acamprosate, Gabapentin, Baclofen, and Topiramate alongside behavioral therapies. These medications help manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and prevent relapse, making sobriety more attainable.

How Long Can You Stay in Inpatient Rehab?

Dealing with alcohol cravings from alcohol dependence is one problem that makes recovery incredibly tricky. By incorporating these foods into your diet, you can take steps towards reducing alcohol cravings. However, it’s important to note that these foods should be part of a comprehensive approach to addressing alcohol cravings, which may include seeking professional help, support groups, and therapy. Including omega-3 fatty acid sources in your diet, such as salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds, can assist in reducing alcohol cravings.

• Ask yourself, “While these reactions may be unpleasant, will I really go out of my mind if I don’t give in to the urge to drink?
• Keeping a regular, scheduled intake of food going through your system will help to maintain your blood sugar levels and, ultimately, help you avoid unnecessary alcohol cravings.
• In this article we’ll answer questions you may have about specific medications and how to get started.

Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, such as berries, leafy greens, and colorful bell peppers, are packed with vitamins, what curbs alcohol cravings minerals, and phytochemicals that support brain health and reduce oxidative stress. This can help alleviate the physiological imbalances that contribute to alcohol cravings. Acamprosate is prescribed to people after they’ve quit drinking alcohol to help them maintain abstinence. The drug helps ease alcohol withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, and depression. In addition to reducing daily drinking, naltrexone has been shown to reduce alcohol cravings as a measurable symptom (3).

This week, JAMA Psychiatry published the results of a small but significant trial that showed a similar effect on alcohol cravings. For two months, 48 people with alcohol use disorder were given either a small weekly shot of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, or a placebo. Those who received the drug drank 30% less than usual and reported fewer cravings. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a comprehensive approach to treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) that combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies.

Additionally, it provides a resource for when cravings materialize that are hard to control along with more tangible approaches to avoiding triggers. Elisabet Jerlhag at the University of Gothenburg notes that people with obesity tend to have less severe side effects while taking semaglutide than people who don’t have obesity. “With these drugs there’s also a risk of developing pancreatitis,” she says. “A person with alcohol use disorder may be at elevated risk for pancreatitis. So a doctor would need to monitor that.” But studies have found that in animals and people, GLP-1 drugs reduce the release of dopamine in this region when you eat something sweet and fatty, or when you consume alcohol.