How to Repair Liver Damage from Alcohol?

Alcohol’s damaging effect on the liver is well known. As one of the largest and most essential organs in the body, the liver plays a crucial role in filtering toxins, producing bile, storing vitamins and minerals, supporting the immune system, synthesizing cholesterol, and much more. Drinking heavy amounts of alcohol regularly can have dire consequences for the liver. Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) encompasses a range of liver damage resulting from excessive drinking. However, unlike most of our organs, the liver has an incredible ability to regenerate and heal itself through healthy lifestyle changes. Below is information on how to repair liver damage from alcohol:

1. Stop drinking: The most important step is to stop drinking alcohol entirely, also known as abstinence.
2. Adopt a healthier lifestyle: Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is vital, as obesity can contribute to liver disease, along with stopping smoking.
3. Eat a healthy diet: A diet low in sugar, processed foods, and saturated fats can help the liver work less hard to filter what passes through it. Additionally, organic foods that do not contain pesticides and other toxins are gentler on the liver.
4. Engage in regular Exercise: Being active can enhance immune function while lowering blood pressure and the risk of liver cancer.
5. Limit medications: Many over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, can be damaging to the liver when taken in excess.
6. Avoid unnecessary toxins: Do not take any substances or illicit drugs. Additionally, you should avoid environmental toxins such as household cleaners, pesticides, products with fragrances, synthetic clothing, and aerosol sprays, as they make the liver work harder to filter out toxins.

Quitting alcohol may not be easy for everyone, as alcohol dependence and addiction can be challenging to overcome without professional help. Consider entering an alcohol detox program that provides around-the-clock supervision, therapy, and medications to alleviate alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox can help guide you through the withdrawal safely and overcome the physical aspects of addiction. Following detox, an alcohol rehabilitation program can provide essential support through behavioral therapy, support groups, and more to help foster long-term sobriety. While some individuals may find a way to drink in moderation, those diagnosed with alcohol use disorder will likely need to commit to lifelong abstinence.

What Are the Symptoms of Liver Damage from Alcohol?

Symptoms related to liver disease usually do not occur until the liver is severely damaged. For instance, patients with alcohol-related fatty liver disease usually do not have noticeable symptoms. A liver function test, or liver panel, is a blood test that checks liver function and can indicate early signs of liver damage. According to Yale Medicine, signs of liver damage due to alcohol-related conditions like hepatitis and cirrhosis may include:

1. Jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the skin and/or the whites of the eye
2. Nausea
3. Loss of appetite
4. Unintentional weight loss
5. Fever
6. Persistent fatigue
7. Muscle weakness
8. Sleep disturbances
9. Changes in mood
10. Confusion
11. Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right abdomen
12. Accumulation of fluid leading to swelling in the abdomen, legs, and/or ankles
13. Spider-like blood vessels appear on the skin
14. Vomiting blood.
15. Presence of blood in stool
16. Increased tendency to bleed or bruise easily
17. Decreased libido
18. Swollen breasts and/or shrinking of testicles in men
19. Coma

Alcohol-related liver disease develops from alcohol abuse by drinking excessive amounts regularly. A person with alcohol-related liver damage may have an alcohol use disorder or alcohol addiction. Someone who is abusing alcohol may show some typical behaviors of an alcoholic, which can include the inability to cut down or stop drinking, poor work or school performance, legal issues, destroyed relationships, inability to fulfill responsibilities, and a decline in their health. Recognizing signs of an alcohol addiction early is crucial, as timely intervention through professional rehab programs can help someone maintain sobriety and potentially reverse liver damage.

How Long After Quitting Drinking Does Your Liver Heal?

Some alcohol-related liver damage can be reversed if a person stops drinking early enough in the disease progression. However, for those who have been long-term alcohol users, quitting can be challenging without professional support. Alcohol addiction treatment programs provide thorough treatment strategies and medical detox options that can support anyone in their journey to sobriety, even in severe alcoholism cases. The liver can begin to heal as early as a few days to a week after stopping alcohol consumption, but if the damage is severe enough, it can take several months. In some cases, long-term liver damage may not be reversible, so it is important for early intervention in alcohol abuse to prevent irreversible damage.

What Is Stage 1 Liver Failure?

Liver failure happens when the liver begins to shut down and may occur when it has been so damaged it cannot be repaired. It is a life-threatening condition that requires urgent medical care. Chronic liver failure progresses through four distinct stages, typically unfolding gradually over several years, as detailed by the Cleveland Clinic on its liver disease resource page. While chronic liver failure is the most common, a rarer condition known as acute liver failure develops rapidly in as little as 48 hours.

Stage 1 liver damage is the initial stage of liver disease or failure, characterized by liver inflammation, also known as hepatitis. Liver inflammation is the liver’s response to injury or toxicity. At this stage, many people may not have any symptoms, although they may experience tenderness on the upper right side of their abdomen. Blood tests can show elevated liver enzymes as a sign of liver inflammation. Continued inflammation of the liver over time can result in scarring of the liver or Stage 2 liver failure. Stage 1 liver damage can be temporary and may be reversible if the person stops drinking.

What Is the End Stage of Alcoholic Liver Disease

Stage 4 liver failure, also known as end-stage liver failure, occurs when the liver is unable to perform its essential functions. This stage is irreversible failure of the liver, leading to damage to other organs and eventual death. End-stage liver failure is also known as decompensated cirrhosis and can cause a number of, such as jaundice, swelling, bleeding, abdominal pain, weight loss, itchy skin, and confusion. At this critical stage, the only potential treatment option is a liver transplant. However, most liver transplant programs require a period of alcohol abstinence before patients with alcohol-related end-stage liver disease are added to the transplant list.

How to Repair Liver Damage From Alcohol With Addiction Treatment at Living Longer

People suffering from alcohol-related liver disease can find success in quitting drinking with the support of alcohol addiction treatment centers like Living Longer Recovery. For help on how to repair liver damage from alcohol, abstinence from drinking is crucial. At Living Longer, we customize our programs to fit each person’s needs, incorporating evidence-based therapies such as psychotherapy, support groups, and medication. We offer all levels of care, including medical detox, inpatient treatment, and outpatient treatment programs, ensuring that we meet individuals wherever they are on their path to recovery.

If you or a loved one is facing liver disease and are unable to stop drinking independently, it is time to reach out for help. At Living Longer Recovery, our programs are designed not only to help you stop drinking but also to promote liver healing through exercise, a balanced diet, and the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices. Liver damage can be permanent, so don’t wait one more day to start the journey toward recovery; contact us today at 866-714-3294 to begin the intake process.

External Sources

• Yale Medicine – Alcohol-related Liver Disease 
• Cleveland Clinic – Liver Disease
• University of Chicago Medicine – Liver Failure