![\"Senior](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2238956420.jpg\")
\n\t\tOne drug has been colloquially referred to as \u2018Ozempic for drinkers\u2019 (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tOne drug has been colloquially referred to as \u2018Ozempic for drinkers\u2019 (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been the year of\u00a0Ozempic<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Mounjaro<\/a>, with 1.5 million people in the UK now estimated to be taking the weight loss injections.<\/p>\n But as 2025 approaches its crescendo, there\u2019s another drug people are looking to in their quest for moderation \u2014 but it\u2019s booze, not food<\/a>, that it targets.<\/p>\n Naltrexone \u2013 referred to as \u2018Ozempic for drinkers\u2019 \u2013 been praised on social media for helping those struggling with alcohol overconsumption to cut down. <\/p>\n Just as the drug for type 2 diabetics does, it targets the brain\u2019s reward pathways to reduce cravings. While Ozempic works to reduce appetite, naltrexone blocks the pleasurable effects of alcohol and reduces the urge to drink. <\/p>\n Think it sounds ideal for Christmas<\/a> party season? Here\u2019s everything you need to know about it, from how it works to how it\u2019s prescribed.<\/p>\n What is naltrexone?<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor <\/a>tells Metro<\/strong> that naltrexone is a medication that \u2018works by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain, which can help reduce the pleasurable effects associated with drinking alcohol.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018By doing so, it may help individuals who are trying to reduce their alcohol intake or quit drinking entirely. When taken as prescribed, naltrexone can decrease the urge to consume alcohol, making it easier for individuals to stick to their recovery goals,\u2019 Dr Suzanne adds.<\/p>\n \t\t Though it\u2019s gathered the colloquial nickname \u2018Ozempic for drinkers,\u2019 Suzanne notes that it\u2019s important to clarify that the two medications serve different purposes. <\/p>\n Ozempic, a brand of semaglutide, is \u2018primarily used for weight management and diabetes, while naltrexone is an opioid antagonist used to help reduce alcohol cravings and consumption.\u2019<\/p>\n So, how does it help people reduce their alcohol consumption? <\/p>\n Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp, who is a clinical lead for both substance misuse and women\u2019s health<\/a>, tells Metro<\/strong> that it works by reducing cravings, and has been shown to reduce both the \u2018frequency and severity of relapse, especially in people committed to cutting down or quitting.\u2019<\/p>\n Likewise, Dr Deepali adds that \u2018by diminishing the reward associated with alcohol, naltrexone increases the likelihood of maintaining abstinence.\u2019<\/p>\n How is naltrexone prescribed?<\/strong><\/p>\n Naltrexone is only availble with a prescription, but you can access it privately or on the NHS.<\/p>\n As Dr Deepali outlines, it\u2019s prescribed through NHS GPs, who can assess a patient\u2019s alcohol use and determine if the treatment is appropriate.<\/p>\n They can also make referrals to a specialist alcohol treatment service, which might use psychological support alongside the drug.<\/p>\n \u2018These treatment approaches are typically most successful when combined with ongoing support, lifestyle changes, and therapies tailored to the individual\u2019s needs,\u2019 explains Dr Deepali.<\/p>\n Naltrexone can also be purchased privately for about \u00a3100 a month following a consultaion \u2013 or \u00a33 per pill \u2013 but many users end up saving money by not buying alcohol.<\/p>\n Naltrexon<\/strong> users say the drug is \u2018miraculous\u2019<\/p>\n We\u2019re sorry to inform you Naltrexone isn\u2019t really for people who want to limit their alcohol intake as a one-off, so you\u2019ll need to stick to old-fashioned self-control for your Christmas party.<\/p>\n But for those who drink regularly, and have developed a more serious dependency, it can be a game-changer.<\/p>\n Kate, who chose not to share her surname, described the impact as \u2018miraculous\u2019. After the birth of her second child, Katie \u2013 who runs her business from home, as well as homeschooling her children \u2013 began drinking frequently.<\/p>\n \u2018I was drinking every night for weeks straight,\u2019 she told the Daily Mail<\/a>. \u2018And it was impacting my family.\u2019<\/p>\n Desperate for a solution, Katie started taking naltrexone a couple of months ago.<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s doing something to my brain, I\u2019m already drinking less, having far more sober days, and feel more mindful when I do drink,\u2019 she said. \u2018Looking back to where I was, I can hardly recognise myself now.\u2019<\/p>\n Is naltrexone the only treatment available to help with alcohol consumption?<\/strong><\/p>\n Beyond counselling and lifestyle changes, naltrexone isn\u2019t the only medical way to combat excessive alcohol consumption. As Suzanne adds, drugs called acamprosate and disulfiram work in a similar way.<\/p>\n \t\t The first works to \u2018restore the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain that alcohol disrupts,\u2019 while the second causes \u2018unpleasant reactions\u2019 to alcohol and, thus, acts as a deterrent for consuming excessive amounts.<\/p>\n What are the dangers of overconsuming alcohol?<\/strong> Dr Deepali explains that one of the biggest dangers of overconsuming alcohol is liver disease, of which excessive drinking is the leading cause in the UK.<\/p>\n \u2018Many people are unaware of the damage they\u2019re doing to their liver, as symptoms often appear only when the disease has progressed to an advanced stage,\u2019 she says<\/p>\n Likewise, alcohol is a known carcinogen \u2013 and, as Dr Deepali tells Metro, is responsible for at least seven types of cancer<\/a>, including breast, liver, mouth and throat.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018Cancer Research UK highlights that alcohol-related cancer risk increases from the very first drink, and there is no \u201csafe\u201d level of consumption in terms of cancer risk,\u2019 Dr Deepali notes.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, excessive alcohol consumption can also impact heart health \u2013 but consumed in moderation, it can actually be beneficial in this area.<\/p>\n \u2018While moderate drinking has been linked to some cardiovascular benefits, excessive alcohol consumption leads to high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease,\u2019 Dr Deepali explains.<\/p>\n If you want to understand more about your drinking you can contact Drinkaware here<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-1432981956-8559.jpg\")
\n\t\tNaltrexone is prescribed to help with alcohol consumption (Picture: Getty Images\/Science Photo Libra)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-1184600760-11ea.jpg\")
\n\t\tNaltrexone<\/strong> has been approved for use on the NHS (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Alcoholic](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-565954723.jpg\")
\n\t\tExcessive drinking can increase the risk of developing cancer (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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