“On Mounjaro, my daily alcohol cravings are gone. Now I just drink one, 8.4-ounce can of Red Bull a day.”
One patient describes how getting on Mounjaro gave her her freedom back.
At CASPR, we’re working to address the addiction crisis at scale by advancing breakthrough medicines, research, and policy. We have been particularly focused on the near-term possibility of GLP-1s (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound) to revolutionize addiction treatment. The scientific evidence is growing every month and the experiences that patients and providers are reporting are incredible. We recently wrote about how addiction doctors are beginning to use GLP-1s as a central component of their practice.
Michelle, a 59-year-old former health care worker from Louisiana, shared her story with us about how starting Mounjaro for weight loss also eliminated her desire to drink alcohol.
If you’d like to tell your story, whether you are a patient or a provider, please reach out.
Michelle’s Story
I started drinking when I was 13 or 14. The first time I tried alcohol, I got blackout drunk. I drank with my friends on the weekends in the New Orleans suburbs. It eventually became evident I was not a normal drinker. For as long as I can remember, I've had negative consequences as a result of drinking. When I got older, I also became addicted to Xanax and painkillers.
I've been to rehab at least four times in my life, beginning in my late twenties. I've had periods of sobriety lasting five years at most. I've been active in AA but not so much recently.
I've been with my husband for the last 40 years, married since 2003. Addiction has taken quite a toll on our relationship over the years. At one point, we separated for a year.
Within the first month, I noticed that I wasn't struggling daily with alcohol cravings.
It was shocking.
I worked at a major hotel chain for 20 years in sales, marketing, and convention services. For about the last 10 years, I've been a live-in caregiver for my elderly parents, one with complex medical issues including dementia. That took quite a toll, too.
Eventually I relapsed and I started drinking again, straight vodka. It was so bad towards the end that I was throwing up blood. I ended up in a psych ward for suicidal thoughts. The psych ward let me out after a couple of weeks and I went into rehab for a month.
After I got out of rehab, I stayed sober, but it was a real struggle. I quit even going to the grocery store because the cravings were so horrible, and the only time I would encounter alcohol was when I had to run to the grocery store. I had my husband do the grocery shopping.
I was also overweight and asked my doctor about using something for weight loss. I started taking Mounjaro in July, 2023. At the time, I didn't even realize I was type 2 diabetic.
Within the first month, I noticed that I wasn't struggling daily with alcohol cravings.
It was shocking. I didn't know what was going on at first. I went online and started researching if others had the same experience.
I've had no appreciable negative side effects. Sometimes Mounjaro is unavailable because the manufacturer can't keep up with the demand. When that happens, I've used Ozempic. I've experienced vomiting with Ozempic, but not enough to make me get off of it though.
I’ve lost 60 pounds and my health has improved considerably. I was overeating out of boredom and stress. I’ve been able to reduce my blood pressure medication. My blood sugar is much more controlled. I started riding a recumbent bike for an hour and a half a day due to concerns of losing muscle along with fat.
I am so thankful for this drug and its effects on cravings. It has completely changed my life. Now I just drink one, 8.4-ounce can of Red Bull a day.
I can go grocery shopping without worry.
We will be publishing more patient and provider stories soon. Please be in touch if you are interested in sharing your story.
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