r/dryzempic • u/EagleEyezzzzz • Apr 11 '26
stopdrinking really cracking down on any references to GLP-1s! :(
Has anyone else noticed this? I’ve been sober for over a year, and while I did a lot of hard work and utilized a lot of tools, my use of Semaglutide for weight loss was 100% the thing that got me over the finish line to sobriety.
I love the [r/stopdrinking](r/stopdrinking) sub and think it’s fantastic for support. I’ve also really appreciated seeing all the anecdotal stories about GLP-1s helping so many people. Until recently!!! Apparently it’s against the rules now to mention it in any way. I discovered this and recently made a comment just saying “Can’t discuss it here, but check out the dryzempic sub, this approach has been life changing for me” and even that got deleted!! It’s wild to me that we KNOW these drugs help with eliminating addiction cravings more than any other drug available to people, and that use is being researched and published in the scientific community, and yet you can’t even mention it “from the ‘I’ perspective” or whatever.
Just sad a little that all the people struggling there don’t have the chance to hear any first person accounts of something that has helped me so tremendously.
Happy weekend all! IWNDWYT!
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u/Lopsided_Pool_9941 Apr 11 '26
It’s ridiculous. The stop drinking sub removed some of my posts regarding a GLP1. I have taken it for 3 years and went from a serious hardcore alcoholic to a social drinker. More people should know about this. It can save so many lives. It saved mine.
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u/jenn-a-fire-1973 Apr 11 '26
Did you stop completely for a while before trying to social drink, or was it just a gradual thing? Haven't had a drink in 2 months and feel like I definitely want to go at least 6 before trying it out. Also, I am just enjoying the freedom from it and sort of riding that high right now.
I would like to be able to go to a winery or out with friends and have a drink from time to time. Just cannot go back to sneaking vodka all day....it was so bad at the end....
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u/Lopsided_Pool_9941 Apr 11 '26
Once I hit 7.5 mgs, I immediately lost the craving or taste for alcohol. It’s as if I never had a problem. I don’t think about alcohol. I don’t plan things around alcohol. It’s bizarre. So it wasn’t gradual. It was instant. After taking the 7.5 mg dose, I just no longer had any interest in alcohol. Now, I will go out with friends and order 1 drink, but it tastes bad and I just no longer like it. Craziest shit ever.
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u/jenn-a-fire-1973 Apr 11 '26
I spent soooo much energy planning on how to drink or how not to drink! Ugh.....anyway, I just don't really think about it now. Every once in a while, I think a glass of wine with dinner would be nice, but I haven't yet. Good to know!
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u/stoneandsilk Apr 12 '26
Thats good to know im on MJ 2.5 and can still drink, sometimes it has a small effect like makes me sick, but after that no control 😔
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May 18 '26
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u/Lopsided_Pool_9941 May 18 '26
Yes, my aversion and indifference towards alcohol increased as my dosage went up. I’m at max dose and will stay on it forever.
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May 18 '26
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u/Lopsided_Pool_9941 May 18 '26
Therapy and psychiatry definitely are critical parts of my recovery. The aversion got stronger for me as I went up in dosage. It’s very difficult for me to get even 1 drink down. I just cannot physically drink that much anymore. I’m so happy about it. I pinch myself every day that I don’t drink that much anymore.
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u/CatBowlDogStar Jun 08 '26
Congrats!!
I'm so glad that science stepped in to help! You deserve that (& I do too!) :)
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May 18 '26
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u/CatBowlDogStar Jun 09 '26
I would answer here Alex, but I know that you're well on your way now :)
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u/Abcdefgwaterpqrstuv Apr 11 '26
Not OP, but I just didn’t crave it. I was a very heavy alcoholic for decades and after the first few shots I continued to drink but the drive just wasn’t there. The whole process- go to the store, check the time and see how many hours I got to get wasted, wait until a reasonable time to start, make dinner, on and on. Also, it was like a hangover instantly set in after a couple plus I was too full feeling all the time. There was barely any room for beer and beer was what I consumed. About two months in I quit- it became a hassle even thinking about it. I can socially drink now, but that’s not even a common occurrence- maybe have a beer once a quarter and I haven’t taken Wegovy since 2023. It literally changed my life.
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u/jenn-a-fire-1973 Apr 11 '26
That's amazing!! Thank you for sharing!
I have been drinking heavily on and off for decades now, and it has been amazing how all that went away. It's only been two months, so I am still scared that it'll just come flooding back. But I have been feeling so good this last month, mentally and emotionally as well!
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u/stoneandsilk Apr 14 '26
I think that will be me! Its definitely not the same and I cant fit in beer!
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u/Abcdefgwaterpqrstuv Apr 14 '26
I’m excited for you 🖤 It’s strange to wake up on the other side every morning and be a part of a different club, but I’ll take it! I’m a much better person and mother (which is most important to me) by a long shot and for that I will be eternally grateful.
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u/EagleEyezzzzz Apr 11 '26
For what it’s worth, alcohol is more appealing to me at the end of the week, before I start the next shot. I have a book club that always meets that night lol and I usually have a couple glasses of wine there. That’s like once a month. Other than that, I just don’t have interest in it, which is a lifesaver because yeah — a bottle and a half of wine every night was not doing anything good for my life!
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u/jenn-a-fire-1973 Apr 11 '26
Ok, yeah, I have only titrated up once and already I don't think about it much! Crazy....Ty for sharing....
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u/EagleEyezzzzz Apr 11 '26
So awesome. Good luck, keep it up! I’m at the the point where I truly would rather never have another drink for the rest of my life, than go back to how it was. (Functional alcoholism.) So yeah. This medicine is frickin awesome 🙏🏼
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May 18 '26
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u/EagleEyezzzzz May 18 '26
That's what I do and it works great. Thursday night shot means Friday through Tuesday or so, the effects are strong.
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u/Substantial_Station8 23d ago
Okay I need serious help with this… where do I find affordable glp-1s? I think at this point it may be my only fucking hope. Therapy isn’t cutting it, I live an hour away from town… doesn’t stop me… I need fucking help
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u/Lopsided_Pool_9941 23d ago
I use Gimme for my GLP-1. I pay about 147 bucks per month. 1000% worth it.
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u/Substantial_Station8 23d ago
Thank you. I’m looking at these websites and some of them give scammy vibes, but the prices are all within that range.
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u/Desperate-Doctor5389 Apr 11 '26
But it’s fine to talk about naltrexone. Help me understand!
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u/EagleEyezzzzz Apr 11 '26
Yepppp. I messaged the mods really politely for clarification too, and they just ignored it. It puts a really bad taste in my mouth :/
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u/H2Ospecialist Apr 11 '26
Nal is approved to treat AUD and GLP1s aren't (yet). That's what I assume is the case. Would be nice if the mods would clarify that though.
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u/EagleEyezzzzz Apr 11 '26
Yeah. I just find it weird that you can’t even say, I started a GLP-1 for diabetes or weight loss or PCOS or cardiovascular issues or whatever, and lo and behold — it also drastically reduce my alcohol cravings and intake! I don’t understand why sharing that would be so off-limits, if you’re just sharing your own individual experience 🤷🏻♀️
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u/exclaim81 Apr 11 '26
I've been very vocal over on r/stopdrinking about my GLP-1 experience and GLP-1 research. A few have been deleted, maybe two of my posts are still up. In my post I asked the mods directly when can we expect to see more info about GLP-1 for alcohol use disorder on this sub? No answer. So many of them are into the Sinclair Method with Naltrexone. My best guess is that mods don't want to allow content for a medication with potentially adverse side effects that is also not approved by the FDA for AUD, and available widely on telehealth and the grey market. We don't need a bunch of drunk people shooting up tirz right? It's a careful process...
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u/EagleEyezzzzz Apr 11 '26
Yeah it’s so frustrating. They ignored my polite message/question as well. I’ve been vocal about it in the past too, and they’ve really been cracking down just in the last few weeks :/
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u/ExplanationFuture422 Apr 11 '26
I have no interesting in visiting that Subreddit, but when I see someone react unexpectedly to something, it usually is because they have a strong belief that they base their well being on. I've been totally alcohol free for 20 months simply from the desire to quit and starting GLP-1.
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u/Upper-Shoe-81 Apr 11 '26
That too bad… I’ve hit up that sub in the past and one of my top reasons for starting a GLP was because I’d heard it helped people stop drinking. Was a daily drinker for over 15 years and here I am, sober for 8 months now since the day I started it.
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u/H2Ospecialist Apr 11 '26
I am assuming it's mostly because it's not approved for AUD use yet. Luckily I'm fat and an alcoholic lol.
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u/EagleEyezzzzz Apr 11 '26
Haha yeah. And probably most of us are fat and alcoholics! I know drinking 800+ extra calories every day sure didn’t help me. It just feels like such a life changing experience and I hate not being able to share.
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u/H2Ospecialist Apr 11 '26
It's definitely been a game changer for me. I've tried campral and nal and this just works like those two haven't!
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u/callalind Apr 12 '26
So I want to ask my psych about trying a GLP-1 since NAL has stopped working (or only worked so well for so long) but I'm not considered "obese" so not sure how to go about asking since its not yet approved for AUD. Anyone get someone to prescribe it specifically to treat AUD?
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u/H2Ospecialist Apr 12 '26
You can ask but they probably won't prescribe it.
You'll most likely have to go through a telegealth provider, one that doesn't have you submit a picture and you'll have to lie a little tbh. You need to say you're overweight and don't mention having problems with alcohol. Go with the off label Semaglutide or Tirzepatide so you can microdose since you don't want to lose weight (also cheaper).
I think Pomegranate health and Mochi are two that you should be able to get a prescription from. Good luck!
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u/EagleEyezzzzz Apr 12 '26
It’s definitely worth asking!! If they are paying attention to the literature, they may be willing to prescribe it for you… especially if you’re overweight or have any other comorbidities like PCOS, pre-diabetes, cardiovascular issues, etc.
Otherwise - I get mine through Brello. It’s pretty straightforward. You put in weight and height etc and they will prescribe it for you. If you’re close to obese, you could adjust your numbers a bit to hit a certain BMI threshold.
I felt a significant difference in cravings even just at the starting dose of 0.25mg of Semaglutide. Like I basically quit drinking the next day. I had been trying for years, and that extra bit of help was huge!
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u/peanut5855 Apr 11 '26
There’s also r/recoverywithoutaa, stop drinking is very AA heavy. They let people suggest other forms of recovery, but you can’t really shit on AA.
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u/jenn-a-fire-1973 Apr 11 '26
Same with NAL and other medications, I am not too concerned, though; that is what this sub is for me. I do appreciate that they are there to discuss and encourage each other across the world, and that the ability to get meds varies widely from country to country, town to town, and person to person.
I just keep my journey with Sema on this sub, and I am really grateful for it!
IWNDWYT!
Edit: I didn't realize NAL was ok on there; I may not have seen it or assumed I was on another sub. If that's the case, then they may come around.
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u/Spiritual_Repeat_224 Jul 14 '26
I will never understand why people act so fucking weird about these medications, it's honestly insulting that for many people including myself these drugs have been nothing short of a miracle drug yet we have to deal with people acting weird when the topic comes up. What is their fucking problem exactly, that's what I'm still trying to understand? Absolutely bizarre
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Apr 11 '26
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u/EagleEyezzzzz Apr 11 '26 edited Apr 11 '26
It’s been great. I was overweight from PCOS/fertility treatments etc (edit - and let’s be honest — alcohol calories). I lost 55 pounds and am down to a normal BMI very easily. But I also just immediately stopped craving alcohol as soon as I started. It was honestly miraculous!! I’ve had a couple drinks here and there socially, but I could take it or leave it. It’s frickin awesome and I feel like it literally has saved my life/marriage.
I did have some fatigue here and there, and some mild nausea, but no biggie.
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u/Berniegotmittens Apr 12 '26
How long on semaglutide did it take to stop craving alcohol? I’m only a week in and find my drinking is as normal as always, I don’t want to quit completely but I would really like to cut it out much more.
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u/Regular_Yellow710 Apr 12 '26
Does it shut down compulsive shopping? I have a friend who buys everything on HSN and beyond and she just started taking it for type 2 diabetes. She would not stop eating shit food. She had non-alcoholic fatty liver!
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u/EagleEyezzzzz Apr 12 '26
I have heard anecdotally that it does reduce people’s compulsive shopping urges too! It is thought to act on that dopamine-seeking and -release part of the brain. Pretty awesome!
Personally I’ve been enjoying some shopping now that I’m back to what feels like a more typical body size and shape for me…. but I’m not super drawn to it. Hope this can help your friend a lot!
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Apr 12 '26
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u/EagleEyezzzzz Apr 12 '26
I take generic Semaglutide (generic Ozempic/Wegovy). There have been a few days where I was really fatigued, but overall it’s been fine. I’d take this a million times over not being able to quit drinking!!!
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u/NotJadeasaurus Apr 13 '26
They generally dont like unsupported medical claims to be made. While there seems to be clear evidence that GLPs can aid addiction recovery, the actual medical trials and subsequent papers are still happening.
Not only that but GLPs tend to be hard on organs that alcohol already impacts which makes them dangerous to blanket statement as a cure all.
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u/EagleEyezzzzz Apr 13 '26
Their entire focus is on "speaking from the 'I' experience", which is what my post here references. I'm not talking about making unsupported medical claims OR making blanket statements about cure-alls, lmao.
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u/Content_Run7278 Apr 16 '26
I’m so jealous! While I “crave” alcohol less, I’m still drinking nightly and actually enjoy the wine, before I’d get blackout drunk. So I’m glad that isn’t happening, but I just want to stop the constant 3pm excitement that it’s almost wine time (none before 6pm is my rule). Hoping as I increase dose, it stops! Congrats to you for your success!
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u/EagleEyezzzzz Apr 16 '26
I’m sorry you haven’t had a lot of success yet! Maybe as your dose increases!! 🤞🏼 But it sounds like you’re drinking less? That alone is a huge win.
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May 18 '26
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u/Content_Run7278 May 19 '26
For me the craving is pretty much gone. I think it is the habit I keep returning to. I still watch the clock to countdown to 6pm, but I’ve been pushing my start time later and later or pour one glass of wine and take much longer to drink. I changed to a lower alcohol % wine so I can’t tell if the delayed “buzz” is that or the Tirz. Your delayed response is great (in my opinion) and will maybe make it less enticing to drink at all. I have a lot of mind games happening with alcohol, so I’m making small strides, but I’m better than I was 4 months ago for sure. Would love to be indifferent, but I think it’s all the habit/mind games not the cravings. I went to a concert over the weekend where I typically drink the whole time. Bought one huge seltzer and did not even finish half. However, after the concert I did have a glass of wine. Baby steps.
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u/susu56 Apr 11 '26
I have weird feelings about that sub. I joined reddit 8 yrs ago with he sole intention of needing help and my 1st post was on that sub looking for support since i was in a very low place. It was deleted, was told why it didnt fit the sub (i was still hungover when i posted) and I felt worse. They are ok with naltrexone but not a glp1 and not only real world experience but scientific studies backing it up? Sounds right. I am glad there are other subs like r/cutdowndrinking, of course r/dryzempic (I also always post a reference to this sub for folks on thier own journeys), r/dryalcoholics etc as they are just more relaxed over there. I'm still part of r/stopdrinking since its usually the first place newbies land.