I became addicted to weight-loss jabs and used them three times a week – I missed crucial warning signs
Hayleigh Davis, a 37-year-old mortuary technician from Tidworth, Wiltshire, has been diagnosed with anorexia following an addiction to weight-loss injections that began in November 2024. After losing eight stone, Davis experienced severe health complications, including hair loss, gallbladder issues, and recurrent urinary tract infections that impacted her kidney health.
Did You Know? Before turning to medical intervention, Hayleigh Davis maintained an active lifestyle but struggled with a diet she described as “hit and miss,” often alternating between overeating and consuming only ice.
The Progression of the Addiction
Davis initially sought weight-loss injections to combat weight gain and negative social media commentary. According to her account, she lost over a stone and a full dress size within the first month. However, she soon began increasing her dosage, sometimes administering the injections two or three times a week against prescribed guidelines.
As the weight loss continued, Davis reported a psychological shift where she struggled to perceive her own body accurately. Despite visible physical changes and her family’s concerns regarding her protruding bones, she remained fixated on the scale. She eventually sought help from friends to procure more injections when her own supply was exhausted.
Health Consequences and Recovery
In November 2025, medical professionals diagnosed Davis with anorexia. The physical toll of her rapid weight loss and misuse of the injections led to fainting, vomiting, and physical collapse. She is currently receiving care at an eating disorder clinic to address her anxiety surrounding food, which she now largely limits to ice, tuna, yogurt, and jelly.
Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the misuse of weight-loss pharmaceuticals often bridges a dangerous gap between physical appetite suppression and the development of psychological eating disorders. When a patient loses the ability to recognize their own physical health status, the transition from clinical weight management to a reliance on the medication can create a cycle of fear and dependency that requires intensive, multi-disciplinary intervention.
What May Happen Next
Recovery for patients in Davis’s position typically involves long-term support to rebuild a healthy relationship with nutrition. Because she is currently under the care of an eating disorder clinic, her treatment plan likely involves a gradual reintroduction of food and cognitive behavioral therapy to address the distorted body image she reported. Clinicians may continue to monitor her gallbladder and kidney function, as these organs sustained damage during her period of rapid weight loss. Without continued professional oversight, individuals who have developed such deep-seated anxieties regarding food may face a prolonged recovery period as they learn to manage their mindset without the external control of the injections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the initial reason for using weight-loss jabs?
Davis turned to the injections in November 2024 after struggling with weight gain and negative comments on her social media accounts.
What were the physical side effects of the misuse?
Davis reported suffering from extreme hair loss, painful gallbladder flare-ups, and recurrent urinary tract infections that negatively affected her kidney function.
What advice does Davis give to others?
She urges others to conduct thorough research, consult with a GP, and stop the use of weight-loss injections once a healthy goal weight is achieved.
If you are looking for support, contact Beat Eating Disorders by visiting the organisation’s website here.
What steps can be taken to ensure that weight-loss treatments are monitored more effectively to prevent dependency?