A Modern Approach to Wellness and Recovery: How One Man Transformed His Health and Life in Six Months

By Dr. Kenneth Spielvogel, Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa

When Mr. T, a 47-year-old man, walked into the clinic, he was carrying more than just extra weight. With a BMI of 38.6 and a 20-year history of alcohol use disorder (AUD), his physical and emotional health were deteriorating. Alongside obesity, he was also dealing with prediabetes, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and early signs of fatty liver disease. After a recent ER visit for alcohol-related gastritis, he knew something had to change. 

But unlike past attempts that focused on just one piece of the puzzle, we took a comprehensive, whole-person approach—blending medical therapies, targeted supplements, behavioral support, and structured lifestyle change. Six months later, the transformation was not only visible on the outside, but deeply rooted in sustainable wellness and long-term sobriety. 

The Starting Point: Where He Was 

At his first visit, Mr. T reported poor sleep, low energy, high stress, and an ongoing struggle with alcohol relapse despite past rehab and therapy. Blood tests revealed insulin resistance, borderline A1c, and elevated liver enzymes. He also admitted to poor diet habits and a sedentary lifestyle. More than just a medical overhaul, he needed a new framework for how to live. 

The Plan: Combining Modern Medicine with Personalized Wellness

His treatment strategy was built around five core components: 

1. GLP-1 Agonist: Zepbound (tirzepatide)

To help jumpstart weight loss and improve metabolic health, Mr. T was prescribed Zepbound, a once-weekly injectable that targets appetite and insulin sensitivity. Emerging evidence suggests that GLP-1 medications like this may also reduce alcohol cravings by acting on brain reward pathways—a promising dual benefit in his case. 

2. Peptide Therapy

He began a peptide protocol that included CJC-1295/Ipamorelin to support natural growth hormone production and BPC-157 to help with gut health and systemic inflammation. These injections, taken five times a week, supported fat loss, muscle recovery, and cellular healing during his lifestyle overhaul. 

3. Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder

To directly address his drinking, Mr. T started naltrexone, which can reduce cravings and blunt the reward from alcohol. Gabapentin was added for sleep issues and to ease the discomfort that often leads to early relapse.

4. Structured Fitness and Nutrition

With help from our health coaching team, he began resistance training three times a week and low-impact cardio five days a week. He followed a Mediterranean-style eating plan, prioritized protein, and adopted time-restricted eating. Calories started around 1800 per day and were adjusted as he progressed. 

5. Mental and Emotional Support

Weekly CBT-based therapy and participation in SMART Recovery meetings helped Mr. T work through his emotional triggers and build new habits. He began journaling, tracking his mood and cravings, and used a mobile app to stay accountable and monitor progress. 

The Outcome: A 6-Month Transformation 

By month six, Mr. T had lost 51 pounds, dropped his BMI to just over 30, and normalized his blood sugar. His liver enzymes had improved dramatically, and his blood pressure and lipid panels were back within healthy ranges. He reported better sleep, more energy, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Most importantly—he stayed sober. For the first time in two decades, he felt in control, crediting the integrated approach for addressing not just the alcohol, but the whole environment that enabled it. 

“It wasn’t just about losing weight,” he said. “It was about becoming the version of me I thought I’d lost a decade ago.” 

Why This Matters 

This case highlights the power of treating the person, not just the diagnosis. By combining cutting-edge medications like Zepbound, hormonal and peptide optimization, psychological support, and functional fitness and nutrition strategies, we helped a patient make sustainable, life-changing progress on multiple fronts. 

In patients with both obesity and addiction—two conditions that are deeply interconnected—this kind of multidisciplinary care may represent a new standard in modern recovery medicine. More research is needed, but the results speak for themselves.