Alcohol may worsen other pre-existing liver diseases. It's generally not reversible, but stopping drinking alcohol immediately can prevent further damage and significantly increase your life expectancy. Chronic alcohol abuse causes destruction of liver cells, which results in scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), alcoholic hepatitis and cellular mutation that may lead to liver cancer. How does alcohol affect the liver? Other severe consequences of alcohol abuse include liver cirrhosis pain, liver damage, jaundice, and even liver cancer. The liver damage associated with mild alcoholic hepatitis is usually reversible if you stop drinking permanently. There are several stages of severity and a range of associated symptoms. How Does Alcohol Affect the Liver Break down Process? In this video, consultant hepatologist Mark Wright explains liver disease and how not drinking alcohol can help. If your liver cells are worked too hard, they can start to become damaged. Our treatment providers offer 24/7 assistance. Common symptoms of liver disease include: Liver disease caused by alcohol is avoidable. Get professional rehab and addiction education from a qualified doctor today! There is no limit to what Theresa is willing to do to make a difference in the field of Addiction! Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) refers to liver damage caused by excess alcohol intake. Theresa is also a Certified Professional Life Coach and volunteers at a local mental health facility helping individuals who struggle with homelessness and addiction. Alcohol Health & Research World 17(4):279–283, 1993. Mild liver disease, like fatty liver can be reversed completely if a person stops drinking alcohol. Anyone who drinks alcohol regularly or heavily can damage their liver. Eager to learn, Theresa is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Women absorb more alcohol from each drink in comparison to males, so they are at greater risk of liver damage. Fortunately, the liver’s abili-ty to regenerate helps this important organ survive the wear and tear of a lifetime. For some people, this may need to be permanent. about Massachusetts Rehabs. Even a single binge-drinking episode can result in significant bodily impairment, damage, or potentially death. Cirrhosis –Abstinence is helpful, however it is usually fatal due to secondary complications, such as kidney failure or hypertension in the vein carrying blood to the liver. Privacy And Confidentiality In Destination Rehab. Make a Call Menu If you have an alcohol addiction and symptoms of liver damage, it’s important to find help as soon as possible. AddictionCenter.com does not endorse any treatment facility or guarantee the quality of care provided, or the results to be achieved, by any treatment facility. Although your liver is very resilient and capable of developing new cells, excessive alcohol intake could result in a variety of problems to your liver that you do not know about until they become serious. Fatty liver disease rarely causes any symptoms, but it's an important warning sign that you're drinking at a harmful level. Retrieved on May 5, 2015, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Get advice about coronavirus and liver disease from the British Liver Trust. Don't go through the process of recovery alone. A healthy liver works to aid food digestion, filter toxins, and enable nutrient absorption. How alcohol could affect the liver. The rest exits the body via urine, sweat and breathing. The liver breaks down and filters out harmful substances in the blood, and manufactures proteins, enzymes, and hormones which the body uses to ward off infections. Each time your liver filters alcohol, some of the liver cells die. Each time you drink alcohol, your liver filters that toxins from your blood and some of the liver cells die. There are people who can help you with the struggle you're facing. These stages are explained below.