Is 'Fat' A Swearword Now?

Ozempic: The Instant Gratification Miracle or Moderation’s Latest Mirage?

Ah, Ozempic, the injectable elixir of the moment. It’s a name that’s been whispered at brunch tables and shouted in gym locker rooms, an alleged magic wand for weight loss and, as this Politico article suggests, perhaps even addiction itself. Yes, according to new research, Ozempic and similar drugs like Mounjaro might just curb alcohol cravings in the same way they curb appetites. But before we roll out the red carpet for this so-called “miracle,” let’s inject a little skepticism (pun intended).

First, let me lay my cards on the table. I’ve been through the body image wringer. I’ve had washboard abs so sharp they could julienne a carrot, and I’ve carried a gut so big it looked like I was smuggling a beer keg under my shirt. Alcoholism didn’t just change my brain chemistry; it sculpted my physique, too, and not in a good way. Sobriety, on the other hand, reshaped me in more ways than one—physically, mentally, spiritually. But if there’s one thing my rollercoaster of appearances has taught me, it’s that quick fixes rarely fix anything.

According to the Politico article, these GLP-1 receptor agonists—fancy talk for Ozempic and friends—may reduce the brain’s dopamine rush associated with drinking alcohol. “The drug appears to dampen the brain’s reward system, making alcohol less appealing,” the article notes. On paper, that sounds like a godsend for anyone battling addiction. I can see the appeal. Imagine a little jab that shuts off the voice in your head whispering, Just one more drink. Or one more doughnut. Or, hey, why not both?

But here’s the thing: My moderation button is broken. It’s been broken for years. Whether it’s alcohol, sugar, or doom-scrolling Twitter at 3 a.m., I’ve always had a proclivity for instant gratification. So when I read about a drug that promises to rein in those impulses, my first reaction is, Where do I sign up? My second reaction, however, is a little more cautious: What’s the catch?

The article mentions the risks: nausea, vomiting, and the potential for overblown expectations. “This isn’t a panacea,” researchers warn, adding that more studies are needed to fully understand the long-term effects. That’s where my skepticism kicks in. As someone who’s chased one shortcut after another, I’ve learned that the path of least resistance often leads to a dead end.

Food addiction is another beast I know too well. When I was at my heaviest, every bite felt like a consolation prize, a fleeting moment of comfort in a world that often felt unbearable. When I was at my fittest, I swung to the other extreme, obsessing over every calorie like it was the enemy. Balance, as it turns out, is harder to find than a quiet subway car during rush hour.

The allure of Ozempic lies in its promise of balance—or at least a chemically induced version of it. But I can’t help but wonder: What happens when the injections stop? Does the hunger come roaring back? Do the cravings for a drink or a doughnut return with a vengeance? Or worse, do we simply trade one dependency for another?

I don’t say this to dismiss the potential of these drugs. For people struggling with obesity or addiction, they could very well be life-changing. And the science is intriguing. As Politico reports, “If drugs like Ozempic can help rewire the brain’s reward pathways, they could offer a powerful tool in the fight against addiction.” But tools are just that—tools. They’re not a substitute for the hard, messy work of recovery, which often involves confronting the very things we’re trying to numb or avoid.

Sobriety has taught me that shortcuts don’t solve the underlying issues. They might smooth the surface, but the cracks remain unless you do the work to fill them. Maybe Ozempic can be part of that work for some people, and that’s incredible. But it’s not a silver bullet. There are no silver bullets, just a lot of trial and error, a lot of falling down and getting back up.

So, is Ozempic a miracle drug? Maybe. Or maybe it’s just another stop on the never-ending quest for an easier way out. Either way, let’s approach it with cautious optimism and a healthy dose of skepticism—because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that nothing worth having comes easy.

If you want to dig into the science behind Ozempic’s potential to curb addiction, check out the article here: “Study suggests Ozempic-like drugs could treat alcohol addiction”.

And while you’re pondering the mysteries of myelin, dopamine, and GLP-1 receptors, why not pick up one of my novels—Demons Within, Cocaine Cola, The Dish Pit, or Serpents in the Sand? They won’t cure your addiction, but they might just make you forget about it for a while. Links are somewhere on this blog, or in my Instagram bio @millprites.