New Pill Halves Christmas Booze Intake

A medication known as naltrexone, costing approximately £3 per dose, is showing remarkable potential in reducing alcohol consumption, with experts likening its impact to weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. This pill functions by diminishing the brain's pleasure response to alcohol, thereby decreasing the urge to drink more. Studies reveal that nearly 80% of individuals who take naltrexone before consuming alcohol either significantly cut back or cease drinking entirely.

Despite its proven effectiveness, naltrexone is currently restricted by the NHS for individuals with severe alcoholism. However, specialists argue that millions who engage in binge drinking but are not classified as alcoholics are being overlooked. The medication works by blocking the brain receptors that alcohol typically binds to, reducing the euphoric sensations that contribute to addiction and the subsequent craving for more drinks.

Experts suggest that naltrexone could be a vital tool in tackling the UK's high rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions and deaths, particularly during the festive season when drinking increases. While some GPs express reservations about the training and psychological support required, proponents emphasize that the current approach over-focuses on severe addiction, leaving many high-functioning individuals struggling with problematic drinking without adequate support.