Benefits To Drinking Less Or Quitting Alcohol

Staying in control of how much alcohol you drink isn’t always easy. And you don’t need us to tell you that not being in control of your drinking can affect every aspect of your life.

That’s where Oar Health comes in. Oar helps people who want to drink less or quit do just that. You can connect with a healthcare provider, get a personalized treatment plan, and get prescription medication, if suitable, all online. 

The medication here is naltrexone. Naltrexone is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD). It works on opioid receptors in your brain to reduce the “buzz” that alcohol gives you. It also curbs your cravings for alcohol (1).

With less pleasure from alcohol and fewer cravings for it, people find it easier to drink less or stop drinking altogether. 

Sound too good to be true? We’ve got the data to back it up. 

In March and April 2024, we surveyed 136 people who have been Oar Health members for six months to find out how their lives have changed since starting treatment.

We found that people drank less — but we kind of saw that one coming. The exciting part was the many, many other benefits. Members reported sleeping better, losing weight, saving money, performing better at work, improving their relationships, and more.

Let’s dive into the findings. 

Drink Less Or Quit Alcohol Entirely 

Not everyone wants to stop drinking alcohol entirely. In fact, we found that 73% of Oar members had a goal to drink less or cut back when they joined. On the flip side, 27% said they wanted to quit drinking altogether.

Luckily, no matter the goal, Oar helped people work toward it. 

Almost 77% of members said they’re now drinking less, and almost 65% said they’re often or always hitting their goal. 

“Since joining Oar and taking naltrexone, my drinking has greatly diminished,” says one Oar member. “I’m not trying to completely eliminate alcohol. I want to control it rather than it control me.”

Improve Your Health 

Alcohol use disorder — and alcohol in general — can take a toll on your health (2). But we found that getting treatment and drinking less can start to reverse this trend.

Since becoming Oar Health members, three out of four people reported a health or wellness benefit of some kind. 

And out of those who now drink less, here’s what they reported exactly: 

• 72% are sleeping better 
• 64% have more energy 
• 49% have lost weight  

Beyond this, members say they’re now working out more and have clearer skin. And remember, this is all within six months of starting treatment. 

Perform Better At Work 

Nothing — not even alcohol — should hold you back in your career or stop you from getting promotions, bonuses, or simply working at full capacity. The good news is that Oar Health members report benefits in their work lives, too. 

Out of those drinking less, 69% are performing better at work since starting treatment. 

That might have something to do with the increased energy, better sleep, and cognitive benefits drinking less alcohol can bring —  more than three in five say they now have more mental focus. 

Naltrexone can also reduce alcohol-related thoughts and cravings — or, as one Oar member puts it, “the insanity of thinking about alcohol subsided” (3). This can give you more brain space for work, and everything else important in life.

Save Money 

Think getting treatment to reduce your alcohol consumption is expensive? Think again. Oar Health members say they save money overall.   

Before cutting back, about half of all surveyed members spent up to $250 on alcohol a month. And almost 43% spent between $250 and $500 on alcohol a month.

Oar Health plans are a lot less than that. 

Doing the math, 64% of members said Oar Health saves them money. Almost 43% are saving up to $100 a month, and some are saving between $500 and a whopping $1,000 a month. 

Strengthen Your Relationships 

Blacking out, saying things we regret, or just not being a present parent or partner — alcohol can put a strain on our relationships. Especially if you’ve tried, and failed, to get things under control in the past and feel you’re letting people down. 

Medication-assisted treatment to reduce drinking can help here, too.

Beyond health, work, and finances, we found that members reported improved relationships since becoming Oar members.

Specifically: 

• 53% have a better relationship with their partner 
• 45% have a better relationship with their family 
• 36% have better relationships with their friends 

And we’re willing to bet that with improved work performance, they might have a better relationship with their boss, too. 

Oar Helps People Drink Less Or Quit 

The final verdict? Oar helps members cut down on alcohol or quit drinking completely. Along the way, members see benefits across many areas of life, including better health, work, finances, and relationships.

With a daily pill, you can take back control and build a better relationship with alcohol. Plus, you can get this medication delivered to your door — no waiting around in the doctor’s office required. 

To get started, complete our online alcohol use assessment. A licensed healthcare provider will let you know whether medication is right for you.