The liver breaks down most of the alcohol you drink so that it can be removed from the body.
During this process, substances are made that are more harmful than alcohol. Large amounts of these substances can damage liver cells and cause serious liver disease.
Damaged liver cells can regenerate and heal. But at a certain stage of disease, damage can no longer be reversed.
About 4 out of 5 deaths from liver disease are caused by alcohol use.
Types of alcohol-related liver disease
Types of alcohol-related liver disease include:
- fatty liver (steatosis)
- inflammation of the liver (alcohol-associated hepatitis)
- acute alcohol-associated hepatitis
- scarring of the liver (cirrhosis)
- liver failure
Fatty liver (steatosis)
Fatty liver is the most common type of alcohol-related liver disease. Fat builds up in the liver and stops it from working properly. This can lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis).
Inflammation of the liver (alcohol-associated hepatitis)
About 1 in 3 people with fatty liver will develop mild or moderate inflammation of the liver. This is also called alcohol-associated hepatitis. Hepatitis may not cause any symptoms at first, so you may not realise that you have it.
Acute alcohol-associated hepatitis
More serious and life-threatening inflammation of the liver can cause:
- a loss of appetite
- sickness
- tummy pain
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
- liver failure
- cirrhosis
About 1 in 3 people who develops acute alcohol-associated hepatitis will die from it.
Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis)
Fat and inflammation in the liver lead to scarring. When the scarring is severe, this is called cirrhosis.
Scar tissue replaces healthy cells. This means that the liver cannot work properly and can fail. Liver failure is a life-threatening condition.
Cirrhosis may or may not cause symptoms.
Symptoms of liver cirrhosis include:
- feeling unwell
- vomiting blood
- swollen tummy
- loss of appetite
- itching
- muscle cramps
Most people who develop cirrhosis and liver failure do not notice symptoms until it’s too late.
About 1 in 5 people who drink heavily has cirrhosis. If you have cirrhosis, avoid all alcohol. This will help protect your remaining liver function.
Important
If you have significant liver scarring or cirrhosis, do not drink alcohol.
Other reasons for cirrhosis
Cirrhosis can also be caused by metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This used to be called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
MASLD is not caused by alcohol. It is linked to metabolic problems - and can be associated with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity.
Reduce your risk of liver damage
You can reduce your risk of liver damage by cutting down or giving up alcohol. All liver diseases improve from giving up alcohol.
Fatty liver can be reversed and further damage avoided.
There is no cure for cirrhosis. But you can live for decades with cirrhosis, if you give up alcohol in time.
Reduce the effects of liver disease by:
- keeping a healthy weight
- not smoking - get help to quit
- getting regular, adequate exercise
- having a balanced diet and avoiding processed food
- drinking coffee - studies show coffee can reduce the risk of inflammation and scarring in the liver
- getting sunlight for vitamin D (a low Vitamin D level is bad for liver diseases)
Non-urgent advice: Get help with problem alcohol use
For confidential advice, freephone 1800 459 459.