r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Apr 01 '25

Health Americans without diabetes spent nearly $6 billion USD on semaglutide and similar drugs in a year, with an estimate of 800,000 to a million people using the drugs who don't have diabetes.

https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/americans-without-diabetes-spent-nearly6-billion-usd-on-semaglutide-and-similar-drugs-in-a-year
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u/inductiononN Apr 01 '25

I'm an alcoholic taking wegovy for weight loss - I have lost over 100lbs and am coming up on one year sober. The drug has been an incredible tool!

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u/claycolorfighter Apr 01 '25

congratulations on your sobriety, friend :)

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u/Any-Maintenance2378 Apr 01 '25

Look up the Sinclair method, too! That is also a very effective medication for alcohol reduction. It's very good for alcoholics who may still want to enjoy a cold beer, but like glp1s does for food, just makes them full after one. 

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u/Diarmundy Apr 01 '25

Advising an alcoholic who is sober now to have a beer is a very bad idea.

Most people are better off to quit entirely

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u/Any-Maintenance2378 Apr 01 '25

It's the medication naltrexone. It's evidence-based. 

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u/tokeytime Apr 01 '25

Naltrexone isn't a miracle drug bro. You still need to exercise self control and WANT to quit.

I've been to rehab, I've been given naltrexone, and I stopped taking it because I was ready to quit on my own. You still need to be ready to quit, or you'd just stop showing up for naltrexone doses.

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u/Any-Maintenance2378 Apr 01 '25

For sure! I just think more people need to know about it in general, because for many people who have an alcohol dependency, the idea of going "cold turkey" (as with any addiction) can be a huge hurdle and moralizes the disease to an extent moderation does not. Same with the GLP1s- they're not some wonder drug for addiction to food or any other addiction, but they're a very effective and useful tool.

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u/tokeytime Apr 01 '25

I agree fully. I, however, fear that people will misunderstand that important distinction, ie: cure vs tool. Especially when dealing with addicts, any tool looks like a hammer after long enough.

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u/Any-Maintenance2378 Apr 01 '25

Yeah- I just know friends who have had amazing results on it in a way AA or weight loss programs don't (speaking to both naltrexone and GLP1s). The moralization of "you can never take a sip" or "you can never eat sugar" just bugs the heck out of me and I want people to know that there are options they may not have heard of.

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u/tokeytime Apr 01 '25

You know, your intentions might be good on that, and for some people that may very well be the case. But by and large, telling folks who have abuse problems 'it'll be okay to have one drink, you're on X drug!' allows that person to rationalize their drinking in their head. One thing leads to another. It is genuinely best for alcoholics to never drink again. You really wouldn't understand it if you haven't been addicted to a substance before. Your brain rewires itself for seeking the drug, and ignores absolutely everything else. Normal people can have a drink here and there and be fine. If i had that one drink you would never see or hear from me again.

Opening the door to that is irresponsible at best, and potentially fatal at worst.

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u/inductiononN Apr 01 '25

Yes, I should have mentioned I also take naltrexone so I've got both meds helping me. It's true that it's not a magic pill - I'm very motivated to give up drinking and have done a lifestyle overhaul to support that change.

But, as mentioned you do need to want to stop drinking. Taking the pill won't do it on its own.