What is Alcoholic Liver Disease?
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a term used to describe a range of liver conditions caused by excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption. It is a progressive disease that develops over time and can have serious consequences if left untreated. ALD typically occurs in three stages: alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis.
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Alcoholic fatty liver disease (steatosis): This is the earliest stage of ALD and is characterized by the accumulation of fat in liver cells. It is a reversible condition that can be resolved by abstaining from alcohol. In many cases, individuals with fatty liver disease may not experience noticeable symptoms.
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Alcoholic hepatitis: If alcohol abuse continues, the inflammation of the liver can progress to alcoholic hepatitis. This condition is characterized by liver inflammation and damage, which can cause symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weight loss. Alcoholic hepatitis can be severe and even life-threatening.
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Alcoholic cirrhosis: Alcoholic cirrhosis is the most advanced and severe stage of ALD. In this stage, the liver becomes scarred and permanently damaged, leading to loss of liver function. Symptoms can include jaundice, abdominal pain and swelling, easy bruising and bleeding, fatigue, weakness, confusion, and fluid retention. Cirrhosis is irreversible, but further damage can be halted or slowed down by quitting alcohol consumption.
It’s important to note that not all individuals who consume alcohol excessively will develop ALD, as genetic and environmental factors also play a role. However, prolonged and heavy alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for developing alcoholic liver disease.
Treatment for ALD involves stopping alcohol consumption, managing symptoms, and addressing any complications that may arise. Supportive care, lifestyle modifications, and medical interventions may be necessary, depending on the severity of the disease.
If you suspect you or someone you know may have alcoholic liver disease, it is crucial to seek medical attention for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Early Symptoms
Alcoholic liver disease can develop over time due to excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption. While symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the disease, here are some early signs that may indicate the presence of alcoholic liver disease:
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Fatigue and weakness: Feeling constantly tired and lacking energy is a common early symptom of liver damage.
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Abdominal discomfort: Mild abdominal pain, bloating, or a feeling of fullness may be present, especially in the upper right side of the abdomen where the liver is located.
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Digestive issues: Early signs of alcoholic liver disease can include loss of appetite, nausea, and occasional vomiting.
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Weight loss: Unexplained weight loss may occur due to a combination of decreased appetite and impaired nutrient absorption by the damaged liver.
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Jaundice: In some cases, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) may be an early sign of liver damage. This occurs when the liver is unable to process bilirubin properly.
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Changes in urine and stool: Dark urine and pale-colored stools may indicate dysfunction in the liver’s ability to process bilirubin and produce bile.
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Spider-like blood vessels: The development of spider angiomas, which are small, reddish blood vessels visible on the skin, particularly on the face, neck, and upper body, can be an early sign of liver disease.
It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be associated with other conditions, so it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms related to alcoholic liver disease, seeking medical attention and addressing alcohol consumption habits is crucial for preventing further liver damage and promoting overall health.
How to Reverse Alcoholic Liver Disease?
Once diagnosed with liver disease, consulting a liver specialist, seeking professional help from a nutritionist, and engaging in regular exercise are important steps. Weight management is an essential component of the treatment of liver disease. Alcohol intake should be stopped or minimized. Diabetes or high cholesterol should be strictly controlled. Discussing all medications with your liver specialist is important as many prescribed and over-the-counter medications can impact liver functioning. Treatment of liver disease following its diagnosis requires multiple interventions to ensure the best possible prognosis. Many individuals struggling with liver disease see improvement in their disease progress and symptom experience when maintaining abstinence from alcohol and following their providers’ nutritional and weight loss recommendations.
Getting Treatment
Of course, these recommendations for reducing alcoholic liver disease are far more difficult when a person is suffering from a substance use disorder. Alcohol dependence is exceptionally difficult to overcome on one’s own and detoxification from alcohol abuse can even be dangerous, depending on the length and quantity of use. Contacting a treatment center specializing in AUD, like JourneyPure, is the first step in the management of the disease and can help you or a loved one start a life of sobriety. Contact our admission specialists to learn more about our comprehensive treatment program. At JourneyPure, we have multiple treatment facilities where alcoholism can be treated. We have centers in Ohio (Bluffs), Massachusetts (Swift River), and Texas (Texas Recovery Center).
We are here to help you at any of our treatment centers, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have regarding treatment. Hope to hear from you soon!
JourneyPure.com doctors follow rigorous sourcing guidelines and cite only trustworthy sources of information, including peer-reviewed journals, count records, academic organizations, highly regarded nonprofit organizations, government reports and their own expertise with decades in the fields and their own personal recovery.
Disclaimer
All content is for informational purposes only. No material on this site, whether from our doctors or the community, is a substitute for seeking personalized professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard advice from a qualified healthcare professional or delay seeking advice because of something you read on this website.
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Chimom says: I have fatty liver disease which progressed to stage 1 NASH during fertility treatments. I did a core restore liver detox to reverse it (recommended by integrative/holistic Dr.) It would be helpful to know what to do if you are in a stage where reversing the disease is possible.
I think some diet guidelines would be helpful such as coffee (hepatologist told me about a study on its positive effects for the liver, after I reversed NASH with a detox) and apple cider vinegar in removing fat and cleaning the liver.
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says: Thanks for your question!
The number one thing you can do to reverse NASH (besides avoiding alcohol) is to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Reducing your cholesterol level and losing weight are proven to help restore liver function.
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Lucy says:
Hello doctor, my uncle is been drinking alcohol since he was 13 years and now he is 53 years. He drinks what ever he gets but mostly whiskey, which he consumes half a bottle every night but sometimes keeps 2 days of no alcohol day. But luckily he never gets sick not even a flu and hasn’t shown any symptoms of liver or any disease. I am worried about him, what are the chances of him developing liver problem.??!!
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says:
Hi Lucy, thank you for your question.
Because your uncle is a heavy drinker and has been for a long time (3-6 shots a day for 10+ years), he has a high chance of developing liver problems unless he stops drinking immediately.– Fatty liver, the first stage of liver damage from alcohol, affects about 20% of heavy drinkers.
– Alcoholic hepatitis, the next stage, affects 10 – 35% of heavy drinkers.
– Cirrhosis, the most severe form of liver damage from alcohol, affects 10-15% of heavy drinkers.If your uncle addresses his drinking problem now, there is a good chance his liver can fully recover without permanent damage. Stay strong – your uncle is lucky to have someone like you looking out for him!
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Mary McGarvey says:
Hi Doctor! I found your info here because a friend is in dire trouble from drinking, now in ICU. It’s well written and clear, but I have a suggestion: that cartoon of a lady with jaundice just looks unprofessional or fake. Why not put a photo of a healthy man and a man with jaundice, and better yet, the same man after treatment. That is what people need to see: the real thing! I had never seen anyone with jaundice so I was looking for a real photo. It would also give fortitude to those in despair, that they have ruined their health if they have jaundice. You could show how it can be cured with before/after photos. Please use a man (young and good looking of course) as the men are often the heavy drinkers. Thanks!
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says:
Hi Mary, great suggestion! I worked with our design team to incorporate real photos of jaundice skin and eyes instead of the illustration. Thank you for helping us make this blog a better resource. I’m glad you found the information helpful, and I wish you and your friend all the best!
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José R Diaz says:
Hi DR i was drinking for24 Years and i stop IT but i drink wine 4 glass a day can that be a problemas or danger
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says:
Hi José,
Yes, drinking that much wine can be dangerous. The type of alcohol doesn’t matter. All forms of alcohol, including wine, can cause health problems.
If you’re worried about how much you’re drinking, try taking an online assessment. If you answer Yes to any of the questions, I recommend getting an official assessment from your healthcare provider or a treatment center that specializes in alcohol use disorder.
Best of luck to you!
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Shannon smith says:
Can you have liver failure if you never drink alcohol ? My doctor told me my liver test was high. I never have drink alcohol. He want me to a ultrasound of my liver.
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says:
Hi Shannon! Liver failure can happen even if you never drink, but it’s rare. When it does happen, it is usually caused by hepatitis or taking too much of certain medications, like acetaminophen.
Continue to work with your doctor to investigate the results of your liver test, including having an ultrasound. Whatever is causing the elevated results needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Best of luck to you!
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Matthew says:
Thank you for this informative information. I have been struggling with alcoholism for some time, and I have started feeling abdominal pain. I am 36 and have been drinking heavily for at least ten years. I've been to rehab a couple times, but haven't been able to maintain sobriety. Now I'm scared I might have damaged my liver.
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says:
Hi Matthew, you’re welcome! I know it can get discouraging when you're struggling to stay sober, but don’t give up! Many people don’t get sober on their first try – it doesn’t mean that you can’t do it this time around.
If I could offer you any advice, I would look for an inpatient program with a strong medical team. This way, you’ll have the medical and clinical staff to treat your physical symptoms while you address the root causes of your drinking. The sooner you address both the drinking and the pain, the better. Minor liver damage is reversible, but only if you treat it early.
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Valerie Isley says:
Thank you. This article explains what I have been telling my stepdaughter, who was informed she had early signs of liver disease one week after my husband passed from encephalopathy.
Thankfully after our last go round, she is disabled and lives with me. She has started AA.
This article will be of great help in her understanding of this disease.-
Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. says:
Hi Valerie, I’m so sorry to hear about your husband’s passing. Losing a loved one is never easy, but I’m overjoyed to hear that it inspired your stepdaughter to start attending meetings. It is so crucial to stay connected to others who are in recovery, especially in those first few months of sobriety. Best of luck to her and you as well!
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Dr. Stephen Loyd M.D. 
Mary McGarvey 
José R Diaz 
Sean 
Shannon smith 
Matthew 
Valerie Isley
Can you have liver failure if you never drink alcohol ? My doctor told me my liver test was high. I never have drink alcohol. He want me to a ultrasound of my liver.
Hi Shannon! Liver failure can happen even if you never drink, but it’s rare. When it does happen, it is usually caused by hepatitis or taking too much of certain medications, like acetaminophen.
Continue to work with your doctor to investigate the results of your liver test, including having an ultrasound. Whatever is causing the elevated results needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Best of luck to you!
Thank you. This article explains what I have been telling my stepdaughter, who was informed she had early signs of liver disease one week after my husband passed from encephalopathy.
Thankfully after our last go round, she is disabled and lives with me. She has started AA.
This article will be of great help in her understanding of this disease.
Hi Valerie, I’m so sorry to hear about your husband’s passing. Losing a loved one is never easy, but I’m overjoyed to hear that it inspired your stepdaughter to start attending meetings. It is so crucial to stay connected to others who are in recovery, especially in those first few months of sobriety. Best of luck to her and you as well!
Hello doctor, my uncle is been drinking alcohol since he was 13 years and now he is 53 years. He drinks what ever he gets but mostly whiskey, which he consumes half a bottle every night but sometimes keeps 2 days of no alcohol day. But luckily he never gets sick not even a flu and hasn’t shown any symptoms of liver or any disease. I am worried about him, what are the chances of him developing liver problem.??!!
Hi Lucy, thank you for your question.
Because your uncle is a heavy drinker and has been for a long time (3-6 shots a day for 10+ years), he has a high chance of developing liver problems unless he stops drinking immediately.
– Fatty liver, the first stage of liver damage from alcohol, affects about 20% of heavy drinkers.
– Alcoholic hepatitis, the next stage, affects 10 – 35% of heavy drinkers.
– Cirrhosis, the most severe form of liver damage from alcohol, affects 10-15% of heavy drinkers.
If your uncle addresses his drinking problem now, there is a good chance his liver can fully recover without permanent damage. Stay strong – your uncle is lucky to have someone like you looking out for him!
Hi Doctor! I found your info here because a friend is in dire trouble from drinking, now in ICU. It’s well written and clear, but I have a suggestion: that cartoon of a lady with jaundice just looks unprofessional or fake. Why not put a photo of a healthy man and a man with jaundice, and better yet, the same man after treatment. That is what people need to see: the real thing! I had never seen anyone with jaundice so I was looking for a real photo. It would also give fortitude to those in despair, that they have ruined their health if they have jaundice. You could show how it can be cured with before/after photos. Please use a man (young and good looking of course) as the men are often the heavy drinkers. Thanks!
Hi Mary, great suggestion! I worked with our design team to incorporate real photos of jaundice skin and eyes instead of the illustration. Thank you for helping us make this blog a better resource. I’m glad you found the information helpful, and I wish you and your friend all the best!
Thank you for this informative information. I have been struggling with alcoholism for some time, and I have started feeling abdominal pain. I am 36 and have been drinking heavily for at least ten years. I've been to rehab a couple times, but haven't been able to maintain sobriety. Now I'm scared I might have damaged my liver.
Hi Matthew, you’re welcome! I know it can get discouraging when you're struggling to stay sober, but don’t give up! Many people don’t get sober on their first try – it doesn’t mean that you can’t do it this time around.
If I could offer you any advice, I would look for an inpatient program with a strong medical team. This way, you’ll have the medical and clinical staff to treat your physical symptoms while you address the root causes of your drinking. The sooner you address both the drinking and the pain, the better. Minor liver damage is reversible, but only if you treat it early.
I have a Fatty liver what can I do to get the fat out of my liver
I have fatty liver disease which progressed to stage 1 NASH during fertility treatments. I did a core restore liver detox to reverse it (recommended by integrative/holistic Dr.) It would be helpful to know what to do if you are in a stage where reversing the disease is possible.
I think some diet guidelines would be helpful such as coffee (hepatologist told me about a study on its positive effects for the liver, after I reversed NASH with a detox) and apple cider vinegar in removing fat and cleaning the liver.
Thanks for your question!
The number one thing you can do to reverse NASH (besides avoiding alcohol) is to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Reducing your cholesterol level and losing weight are proven to help restore liver function.
What causes liver to go bad if not alcohol related?
I want to care again.
Hi DR i was drinking for24 Years and i stop IT but i drink wine 4 glass a day can that be a problemas or danger
4 drinks is 4 drinks, regardless of what kind of alcohol it is.
Hi José,
Yes, drinking that much wine can be dangerous. The type of alcohol doesn’t matter. All forms of alcohol, including wine, can cause health problems.
If you’re worried about how much you’re drinking, try taking an online assessment. If you answer Yes to any of the questions, I recommend getting an official assessment from your healthcare provider or a treatment center that specializes in alcohol use disorder.
Best of luck to you!