Oprah Winfrey credits GLP-1 weight loss medication for helping her quit drinking

A surprising effect of Oprah Winfrey's weight loss journey, which included the use of GLP-1 medication, was the complete loss of her desire for alcohol, alongside the changes to her eating habits.

In a recent interview with People,  the 71-year-old media mogul said she no longer drinks, despite once being known for enjoying tequila.

“I literally had 17 shots one night,” Winfrey admitted. “The fact that I no longer even have a desire for it is pretty amazing.”

Winfrey confirmed in 2023 that she began using a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This class of medications is commonly prescribed for obesity and type 2 diabetes. These drugs work by regulating appetite and blood sugar. Research now shows they may also affect alcohol cravings.

How GLP-1 medication may reduce alcohol cravings

GLP-1 medications, such as semaglutide, commonly known by brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy, work by mimicking a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels. They slow digestion, reduce hunger, and, as emerging research suggests, may also impact the brain’s reward system.

Dr Nora Volkow, director of the US National Institute on Drug Abuse, has noted that GLP-1 drugs show promise in reducing cravings not just for food, but for substances like alcohol and nicotine.

A 2023 study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that patients on GLP-1s reported lower alcohol consumption, suggesting these medications may dampen dopamine-driven reward-seeking behaviours.

In simpler terms, food noise is basically the constant chatter in our minds about food, often shaped by outside pressures. Things like society’s beauty standards, the obsession with dieting, or the convenience of fast and processed foods can mess with how we think about eating.

As a result, many people feel guilty when they give in to cravings, questioning every food choice they make.

On top of that, the abundance of ultra-processed foods makes things worse. These foods are made to taste so good that they’re hard to resist, which can lead to overeating and thinking about food more than necessary.

This can trap people in a cycle of eating based on emotions, like stress or guilt, instead of eating because they’re truly hungry.

This can be managed with mindfulness, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medications like GLP-1s

Winfrey’s experience aligns with these findings. She said she no longer feels drawn to drinking or overeating and described the change as freeing rather than restrictive. Winfrey also addressed the emotional weight that has long been associated with her body image.

“I avoided the word ‘obesity’ because it felt like it meant out of control,” she said. “But I learned that overeating doesn’t cause obesity; obesity causes overeating.”

Medical experts support this view. The World Health Organization recognises obesity as a chronic disease influenced by genetics, hormones and environment, not a personal failure.

Winfrey said understanding this removed years of shame and self-blame.“I want people to stop blaming themselves for genes and environments they can’t control,” she added.

What GLP-1 can and can’t do

While GLP-1 medications have helped many people manage weight, doctors stress they are not a cure-all. Common side effects include nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite, and long-term use should be medically supervised.

Dr Fatima Stanford, an obesity medicine specialist at Harvard Medical School, has previously said GLP-1s are tools that work best alongside balanced nutrition, movement and mental health support.

For Winfrey, the biggest change has been emotional. She said she feels more present, has more energy, and no longer punishes herself for her body.“I feel more alive and more vibrant than I’ve ever been,” she said. “I feel like I have more to give to the people I love.”

As conversations around weight loss medication, sobriety and mental health continue to grow, Winfrey’s honesty highlights a key message: for many people, cravings are biological, not a lack of discipline.