A woman has shared her experience of using the weight loss medication Mounjaro, stating that it not only helped her shed a substantial amount of weight but also curbed her long-standing addiction to alcohol and cocaine.
Rachel Cooper, 35, from South Wales, reported that during the COVID-19 lockdown, her weight increased from approximately 13 stone to 19 stone. During this period, her reliance on alcohol and drugs escalated. At the peak of her addiction, Cooper stated she was consuming up to three grams of cocaine daily and spending up to £800 in a single binge. She estimates that she spent over £200,000 on alcohol and drugs since the age of 17.
Cooper described her lowest point in 2020, when she was left feeling suicidal due to her out-of-control substance use. She recounted an incident during a four-day binge where she consumed so much cocaine that her drug dealer advised her to stop. Cooper, who has worked throughout her adult life and described having a good childhood, felt too ashamed to seek help from her general practitioner, fearing repercussions for her two sons.
Her turning point came when she discovered Mounjaro and decided to use it for weight loss, as she struggled with basic tasks like tying her shoelaces or completing the school run. Cooper, who had previously tried various diets without success, went from a size 22 to a size 10 after taking the medication. Beyond weight loss, she found that Mounjaro significantly reduced her cravings for alcohol and processed foods. She reported that her desire for takeaways, sweets, and eventually wine and vodka diminished. As her cocaine use was closely linked to her drinking, that habit also disappeared.
Cooper explained that the weight loss motivated her further, helping to lift the shame she felt about her body and stop her self-sabotaging behaviors. She noted that misconceptions about addiction often portray it as affecting only certain types of people, but she emphasized that it can affect anyone, regardless of their background or employment status.
Before starting Mounjaro, Cooper experienced frequent late-night food cravings, which ceased after she began the medication. She started on a 5mg dosage and noticed significant changes after increasing to 7.5mg. She now views food as fuel for her body and eats when she is hungry, rather than emotionally.
About six months into her weight loss journey with Mounjaro, Cooper realized she had overcome her alcohol and drug addiction. Her mental health also improved, leading her to believe her anxiety and depression were connected to her previous habits. She stated she feels better now than she has since she was 16, the age when she began struggling with her mental health and experimenting with alcohol.
Cooper has since embraced a more active lifestyle, running 20 kilometers a week and planning to participate in a half marathon. She has also become more financially stable, paying off debts and saving money. Her relationships with her family, which had been strained, have improved.
While she has reached her target weight, Cooper is still using Mounjaro and gradually weaning herself off the medication, expressing concerns about potential weight regain and relapse. She has also created a TikTok account to document her recovery and inspire others, leading to the formation of a support group called Cooper’s Troopers for individuals battling addiction and weight struggles.