Prolonged periods of heavy drinking can negatively impact your health and well-being. Alcohol abuse takes a toll on your mental health, relationships, and body. It can cause several short and long-term effects that may impair your functioning and quality of life.
Alcohol-related liver damage is a possible outcome of alcohol abuse. Heavy drinking can damage the liver, resulting in swelling, inflammation, and other damage.
A healthy liver is essential to your overall health. If you or someone you love drinks too much or lives with alcoholism, you must seek treatment as soon as possible. Getting help can help you avoid life-threatening complications.
This article will explore how alcohol abuse can affect your liver. You will learn:
- How alcohol-related liver disease can occur
- Signs of liver disease from alcohol
- How much alcohol is too much
- Where to find treatment for alcohol abuse and addiction
If you or someone you love exhibits signs of alcohol abuse or addiction, do not wait to get help. Contact First Step Behavioral Health specialists to learn about our comprehensive treatment programs. Contact us with questions, to get information about our programs, or to schedule an intake appointment.
How Does Alcohol Affect the Liver?
Your liver is essential in maintaining your health. It is one of the most complex organs in the body and has many functions, including:
- Removing toxins from the blood
- Helping the body to digest food
- Fighting disease and infection
- Regulating cholesterol and blood sugar levels
Each time you consume alcohol, some liver cells die. While the liver can regenerate, heavy alcohol use can prevent the liver from healing properly. Over time, fatty deposits can build up in the liver, causing significant damage.
Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) is a possible consequence of prolonged alcohol abuse. There are several stages of ARLD. Here is an overview of each stage.
Alcoholic fatty liver disease
Fat accumulates around the liver in this first stage of alcohol-related liver disease. People with alcoholic fatty liver disease can heal the liver if they stop drinking.
Acute alcoholic hepatitis
After prolonged periods of heavy drinking, the alcohol may become inflamed or swollen. People can heal the liver with treatment if they recognize the symptoms and get help quickly.
Alcoholic cirrhosis
The final stage of alcohol-related liver disease results in permanent scarring on the liver. This scarring causes a condition called “portal hypertension,” which is essentially high blood pressure in the liver. This occurs when scar tissue blocks blood vessels, preventing blood flow in the liver.
Liver scar tissue and other complications can lead to liver failure and death. At this stage, the only life-saving measure is liver transplantation.
Early types of liver disease do not usually cause symptoms. Doctors can diagnose chronic liver disease through liver function tests, imaging tests, CT scans, blood tests, or liver biopsy.
Signs of Liver Disease From Alcohol Abuse
Studies show that about 10% of people in the United States drink heavily. Of this percentage, more than 1 in 10 will develop alcohol-related liver disease.
In most cases, ARLD does not have symptoms until the damage is severe. It is essential to watch for signs of liver disease and seek treatment as soon as possible.
- Here are some common signs of alcohol-related liver disease:
- Appetite loss or nausea
- Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)
- Unusual thirst
- Swelling in the legs or abdomen
- Redness in the hands or feet
- Mood swings
- Lightheadedness or fainting
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Bleeding gums
- Enlarged breast tissue in men
- Abdominal swelling or discomfort
- Dark-colored bowel movements
- Changes in skin color–either becoming lighter or darker
If you or someone you love exhibits any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately. These signs could show liver disease related to alcohol abuse.
Recognizing Alcohol Abuse and Addiction
Alcohol use is common, legal, and widely accepted in most parts of the United States. Because alcohol use is so widespread, it can be challenging to determine when alcohol use has become problematic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued guidelines about healthy alcohol consumption. The CDC recommends not consuming alcohol or drinking only in moderation. But what is moderate drinking?
According to the CDC, moderate drinking means:
- Drinking one or fewer alcoholic drinks per day for women
- Drinking two or fewer alcoholic drinks per day for men
A “drink” means:
- 12 ounces of beer
- 5 ounces of wine
- 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits
- 8 ounces of malt liquor
The CDC defines heavy drinking as:
- Consuming eight or more alcoholic beverages in a week for women
- Consuming 15 or more alcoholic drinks in a week for men
Heavy drinking is linked to many short and long-term risks, including:
- Liver damage
- Higher risk of certain cancers, including colon, breast, stomach, and throat
- Cardiovascular issues
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Accidents and injuries
- Alcohol-related overdose
- Acute kidney failure
Heavy drinking can also lead to physical dependence and addiction. It is important to seek treatment as soon as you recognize heavy drinking or signs of dependence.
Find Treatment Now
If you or someone you love exhibits signs of alcohol-related liver disease, seek medical care immediately. If you or a loved one needs alcohol abuse treatment, you are not alone. Contact the First Step Behavioral Health specialists to learn about our addiction treatment and recovery support programs.
References:
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Alcoholic Liver Disease: Pathogenesis and Current Management
- Science Direct: Alcoholic liver disease: A current molecular and clinical perspective
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Alcohol Use and Your Health
