Learn About Alcoholic Cirrhosis
Alcoholic liver disease is damage to the liver and its function due to alcohol abuse.
Liver disease due to alcohol; Cirrhosis or hepatitis - alcoholic; Laennec's cirrhosis
Alcoholic liver disease most often occurs after years of heavy drinking. Over time, scarring and cirrhosis can occur. Cirrhosis is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease.
Alcoholic liver disease does not occur in all heavy drinkers. The chances of getting liver disease go up the longer you have been drinking and the more alcohol you consume. You do not have to get drunk for the disease to happen.
The disease is most common in people between 40 and 50 years of age. Men are more likely to have this problem. However, women may develop the disease after less exposure to alcohol than men. Some people may have an inherited risk for the disease.
There may be no symptoms, or symptoms may only come on slowly. This depends on how well the liver is working. Symptoms tend to be worse after a period of heavy drinking.
Early symptoms include:
- Loss of energy
- Poor appetite and weight loss
- Nausea
- Belly pain
- Small, red spider-like blood vessels on the skin
As liver function worsens, symptoms may include:
- Fluid buildup of the legs (edema) and in the abdomen (ascites)
- Yellow color in the skin, mucous membranes, or eyes (jaundice)
- Redness on the palms of the hands
- In men, impotence, shrinking of the testicles, and breast swelling
- Easy bruising and abnormal bleeding
- Confusion or problems thinking
- Pale or clay-colored stools
- Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Some things you can do to help take care of your liver disease are:
- Stop drinking alcohol.
- Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt.
- Get vaccinated for diseases such as influenza, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, pneumococcal pneumonia, and COVID-19.
- Talk to your provider about all medicines you take, including herbs and supplements and over-the-counter medicines.
MEDICINES FROM YOUR PROVIDER
- "Water pills" (diuretics) to get rid of fluid buildup
- Vitamin K or blood products to prevent excess bleeding
- Medicines for mental confusion
- Antibiotics for infections
OTHER TREATMENTS
- Endoscopic treatments for enlarged veins in the esophagus (esophageal varices)
- Removal of fluid from the abdomen (paracentesis)
- Placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) to repair blood flow in the liver
When cirrhosis progresses to end-stage liver disease, a liver transplant may be needed. Liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease is only considered in people who have completely avoided alcohol for 6 months.
Thierry Gustot practices in Brussels, Belgium. Mr. Gustot is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Alcoholic Cirrhosis. His top areas of expertise are Alcoholic Cirrhosis, Liver Failure, Cirrhosis, Liver Transplant, and Endoscopy.
Aleksander Krag is a Gastroenterologist in Odense C, Denmark. Mr. Krag is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Alcoholic Cirrhosis. His top areas of expertise are Cirrhosis, Portal Hypertension, Ascites, Liver Transplant, and Endoscopy.
Richard Moreau is a Hepatologist in Clichy-sous-bois, France. Mr. Moreau is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Alcoholic Cirrhosis. His top areas of expertise are Liver Failure, Alcoholic Cirrhosis, Cirrhosis, Ascites, and Liver Transplant.
More information and support for people with alcoholic liver disease and their families can be found by joining support groups for alcoholism (alcohol use disorder) or liver disease.
Alcoholic liver disease is treatable if it is caught before it causes severe damage. However, continued excessive drinking can shorten your lifespan.
Cirrhosis further worsens the condition and can lead to serious complications. In case of severe damage, the liver cannot heal or return to normal function.
Complications may include:
- Bleeding disorders (coagulopathy)
- Buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) and infection of the fluid (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis or SBP)
- Enlarged veins in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines that bleed easily (esophageal, gastric, or intestinal varices)
- Increased pressure in the blood vessels of the liver (portal hypertension)
- Kidney failure (hepatorenal syndrome)
- Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
- Mental confusion, change in the level of consciousness, or coma (hepatic encephalopathy)
Contact your provider if you:
- Develop symptoms of alcoholic liver disease
- Develop symptoms after a long period of heavy drinking
- Are worried that drinking may be harming your health
Get emergency medical help right away if you have:
- Abdominal or chest pain
- Abdominal swelling or ascites that is new or suddenly becomes worse
- A fever (temperature greater than 101°F, or 38.3°C)
- Diarrhea
- New confusion or a change in alertness, or it gets worse
- Rectal bleeding, vomiting blood, or blood in the urine
- Shortness of breath
- Vomiting more than once a day
- Yellowing skin or eyes (jaundice) that is new or gets worse quickly
Talk openly to your provider about your alcohol intake. Your provider can counsel you about how much alcohol is safe for you. If you have alcoholic liver disease, you should not drink any alcohol.
Summary: The proposed of this randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled study is to assess the effect of SAMe compared to placebo in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis Child Class A and B. The primary objective of the study is to test relationship between SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) supplement on liver function. The hypothesis is that SAMe supplement will improve liver function in patients with alcohol...
Summary: Transplantation for end-stage-liver disease (ESLD) in the context of Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease (AALD) has been increasing and represents the main indication for Liver Transplantation (LT) in the world. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is considered a brain chronic disease and requires a transdisciplinary approach that includes medical treatment and behavioral interventions. In the context of LT, ...
Published Date: July 22, 2025
Published By: Todd Eisner, MD, Private practice specializing in Gastroenterology in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, Florida at Gastroenterology Consultants of Boca Raton. Affiliate Assistant Professor, Florida Atlantic University School of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Chalasani NP, Maher J. Alcoholic and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 138.
Haines EJ, Thompson H. Liver and biliary tract disorders. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 76.
Szabo G, McClain CJ. Alcohol-associated liver disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 86.