A woman who consumed a bottle of wine daily for nearly a decade found her cravings for alcohol substantially diminished after starting the weight-loss drug Wegovy. Julie Lord, 56, from Leeds, reported that within a week of beginning the weekly semaglutide injections in May 2026, her desire for wine nearly vanished.
Lord had taken early retirement in 2017, at which point alcohol became a regular part of her routine. Despite maintaining an active lifestyle and describing herself as healthy, her general practitioner warned her that her consumption levels were harmful. The UK's National Health Service recommends no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, approximately six medium glasses of wine. Lord, however, was consuming around 70 units weekly.
She had previously attempted to reduce her intake through various methods, including delaying her evening drink and trying non-alcoholic wine, but found herself returning to her previous habits. Lord explained that she did not drink due to underlying issues but rather because she enjoyed it and would indulge when socializing.
The unexpected effect on her alcohol consumption occurred when Lord began taking Wegovy, initially to address weight gain associated with menopause. The drug, also known as semaglutide, is designed to suppress appetite by mimicking hormones that signal fullness.
Lord stated that the drug virtually stopped her drinking within a week, with cravings disappearing. Her consumption dropped from a bottle a day to less than half a glass, and the ritual of drinking no longer defined her evenings. She reported saving approximately £70 per week previously spent on wine.
Experts note that Lord's experience aligns with emerging evidence suggesting that weight-loss drugs like Wegovy may help reduce alcohol cravings. A study published in The Lancet in May 2026, the same month Lord began Wegovy, indicated that patients on the drug experienced 40% fewer heavy drinking days and a 70% reduction in overall alcohol intake compared to a control group. Research also suggests these drugs might impact other pleasure-seeking behaviors such as smoking, gambling, and shopping.
One leading theory posits that these medications may dampen the brain's dopamine response to pleasurable stimuli, a mechanism often implicated in addiction. Dr. Alexis Bailey, a neuropharmacologist at City St George’s, University of London, suggests that the injections may reduce the dopamine surges experienced by those with addictive behaviors.
Despite the positive impact on her drinking, Lord found Wegovy less effective for weight loss than anticipated. After two months, she had lost only about half a stone, leading her to stop the medication due to the cost. Within six weeks of discontinuing Wegovy, her alcohol cravings returned, and she resumed drinking a bottle of wine daily, though spread over several hours.
Determined to regain control, Lord restarted Wegovy the following week, this time prioritizing her drinking habits over weight loss. She has already noted a return of reduced cravings. She plans to continue the medication long-term, stating it is the first effective method she has found for managing her alcohol consumption and intends to continue to save money on wine purchases.
