We’re probably all aware that alcohol has an impact on our liver. But at the same time we probably don’t know just how much and think that only the heaviest of drinkers will suffer. Which isn’t true.
With alcohol a core part of many people’s lives in society, as well as more and more people needing help from an alcohol help treatment centre, it’s high time we all started to familiarise ourselves with the risks and just what we’re doing to our livers by drinking too much.
The liver plays a key part in our body, breaking down the toxic alcohol enzymes into less harmful substances, but in the process alcohol does damage the liver’s functionality and while it can repair itself, it can lead to the following…
Fatty liver disease
The earliest stage of alcohol-related liver damage is alcoholic fatty liver disease. This condition occurs when fat accumulates in liver cells as a result of excessive alcohol intake. Fatty liver often causes no noticeable symptoms and may only be detected through blood tests or imaging. Importantly, this stage is usually reversible if alcohol consumption is reduced or stopped. However, continued drinking allows the damage to progress.
Hepatitis
If heavy drinking persists, alcoholic hepatitis may develop. This condition involves inflammation and swelling of the liver and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms may include fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice and nausea. In serious cases, alcoholic hepatitis can be life-threatening. Unlike fatty liver disease, recovery is less certain, and ongoing alcohol use significantly increases the risk of further deterioration.
Cirrhosis
Over time, chronic inflammation can lead to cirrhosis, the most severe form of alcohol-related liver disease. Cirrhosis occurs when healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, permanently impairing liver function. Once cirrhosis has developed, the damage is largely irreversible. Complications include internal bleeding, fluid accumulation, increased risk of infection and hepatic encephalopathy, a condition that affects brain function due to the liver’s reduced ability to remove toxins from the blood.
Liver cancer
Long-term alcohol use also increases the risk of liver cancer, particularly in individuals with cirrhosis. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a serious and often fatal condition that may develop silently until it reaches an advanced stage. Regular monitoring is essential for those with advanced liver disease, as early detection can improve treatment outcomes.
Why this occurs and what can you do?
The impact of alcohol on the liver is influenced by several factors, including the amount and duration of drinking, genetics, diet and co-existing health conditions such as obesity or viral hepatitis. Women are generally more susceptible to alcohol-related liver damage than men, even at lower levels of consumption, due to differences in alcohol metabolism. Poor nutrition, which is common among people with alcohol dependence, can further accelerate liver damage.
The good news is that reducing or stopping alcohol consumption can significantly improve liver health, particularly in the earlier stages of disease. Abstinence allows inflammation to subside and gives the liver an opportunity to heal. Even in cases of cirrhosis, stopping drinking can slow disease progression and improve quality of life, although medical supervision is often required.