Can the Liver Repair Itself After Years of Drinking?

Drinking alcohol can lead to many health issues for you, one of the major ones being liver damage. It is a rising problem in the country, with deaths linked to alcohol-related liver disease rising by 61.3% in the last 20 years.

Many people who have drunk heavily and are stopping often want to know, “Can the Liver Repair Itself After Years of Drinking?”

Well, despite the harm the liver can suffer from, it has a significant ability to regenerate, though the extent of the recovery depends on the type and extent of damage. If found and dealt with early, alcohol-related fatty liver disease may reverse. When a liver has developed cirrhosis, this involves permanent scarring which cannot be reversed.

If you are worried about alcohol-related liver damage, go and get a medical assessment. There’s no knowing the extent of the damage, and you can’t assume that your liver will heal by itself.

 

How Alcohol Affects the Liver

The majority of alcohol you drink is broken down in the liver.

Alcohol is toxic to the liver, and when it is broken down, a toxic byproduct called acetaldehyde is created that attacks liver cells and causes inflammation. As your liver prioritises breaking down alcohol, it can’t perform other tasks as well, leading to fat buildup in the liver.

Over time, and if you drink too much, your liver gets overwhelmed, and it cannot repair the damage that the repeated presence of alcohol is causing, leading to permanent damage.

All this is happening inside your body, and oftentimes you could be suffering from liver damage without experiencing any obvious symptoms.

 

The Stages of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

Alcohol-related liver disease is a broad term that can describe many issues you have. There are, however, three main stages of liver disease caused by alcohol.

• Fatty liver disease – Also known as steatosis, this is when fat builds up in the liver, and there are no obvious symptoms.
• Alcohol-related hepatitis – Around 30% of people with a fatty liver develop alcohol-related hepatitis, the inflammation of the liver. The organ becomes swollen and damaged at this point, with you developing symptoms.
• Cirrhosis – The last stage, where the liver is scarred and damaged and normally cannot be reversed.

This progression may not happen predictably, with conditions overlapping and symptoms being different for everyone. The sequence is not always inevitable; if you drink heavily, you just increase the risk if it does.

The severity of damage to your liver cannot be guessed at and can only be determined through medical assessment.

 

Can Alcohol-Related Fatty Liver Disease Be Reversed?

Fatty liver is seen as the first stage of liver damage and typically the point at which damage can be most easily reversed.

Research has found that stopping alcohol is an effective method for damage reversal, allowing your liver time to recover as fat and inflammation can reduce. Alongside reducing your alcohol intake, staying generally healthy, eating well, exercising and following medical advice can support your recovery.

 

Can the Liver Recover From Alcohol-Related Hepatitis?

Recovery from alcohol-related hepatitis depends on the severity of it, with some studies finding that the survival rate is around 50%.

At this stage, the damage is becoming more significant, affecting your health, and if you are suffering from severe alcohol-related hepatitis, this can be life-threatening. In this case, you may require hospital treatment.

Alongside stopping your alcohol intake, nutrition is extremely important. Malnutrition is typical in patients, and your body is using up energy at a rapid rate, meaning you need a high caloric intake. Nutritional support can help improve cellular repair and your immune system.

You’ll also need specialist monitoring. Alcohol-related hepatitis can be unpredictable, and you’ll need professional support to help deal with any complications and guide you through treatment.

 

Can Cirrhosis Heal?

Cirrhosis is the stage where there is permanent significant scarring over your liver, preventing it from functioning properly. In nearly all cases, the damage done is irreversible, but stopping alcohol can still prevent or slow down any further damage, improving your outlook somewhat.

At this stage, any complications you suffer from have to be managed with specialist care.

If you are suffering from advanced liver failure and qualify for one, a liver transplant may be possible.

 

How Long Does Liver Recovery Take?

There is no knowing whether your liver begins to recover, how long it will take and to what extent it will.

Liver recovery is dependent on many factors, including:

The stage of liver disease you are at

• Your drinking history
• Nutrition
• Age
• Presence of other medical conditions

Even if you have blood tests that show improvement, the damage may not all resolve at the same time. Because of this, relying solely on symptom improvement as proof of complete recovery is not reliable.

 

Signs of Alcohol-Related Liver Damage

The earlier you catch liver damage, the better your outlook is, with 9 out of 10 cases being preventable. Some people may even develop advanced liver disease without obvious symptoms, but signs can develop.

Signs of alcohol-related liver damage include:

• Nausea
• Poor appetite
• Discomfort under the right ribs
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin)
• Itching
• Abdominal swelling
• Swollen legs
• Unexplained bruising
• Confusion
• Vomiting blood
• Black stools

 

How Is Liver Damage Assessed?

A doctor will ask you about your drinking history and physical symptoms, and then you’ll get a liver blood test to initially find out if anything is amiss. An ultrasound and liver-stiffness assessment can be done to check the condition of your liver.

To rule out other conditions like cancer, see the full extent of damage, and if anything is still unclear, you may have a CT scan, MRI, endoscopy or biopsy to confirm your liver damage.

Even if you receive normal-looking blood results, liver damage may be the issue, which is why further tests are done.

 

What Helps the Liver Recover?

Critical to any form of liver recovery is to stop drinking. Doing this stops putting as much stress on your liver, not killing off cells and allowing it time to repair.

You should focus on eating well, getting enough protein and reducing your salt intake. Stick to your prescribed treatments, which may involve medications to help with the inflammation. Alcohol-related liver damage can also result in other health issues, such as diabetes, that you need to manage too.

Maintaining a healthy weight is important too, reducing stress on your liver so you can increase your physical activity as well as sleep better. You should avoid any unapproved supplements and check medicines and supplements with a healthcare professional to ensure you are being safe.

 

Why You Should Not Attempt an Unsupported Alcohol Detox

Though you want to stop drinking alcohol, suddenly stopping your intake can cause severe withdrawal if you are dependent on it.

Severe withdrawal symptoms include:

• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Delirium tremens
• Confusion
• Increased heart rate

If you drink heavily or suffer from withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking, you should consider professional help. In a professional setting, you can undergo medically assisted detox, with medication by healthcare staff to ease symptoms. This is medication that is evidence-backed and not liver detox products you find online that are unproven.

 

Can Liver Damage Continue After Drinking Stops?

Even if you stop drinking, if you are suffering from more advanced liver damage, then you may still require treatment and monitoring long after you quit. If you have developed cirrhosis, the damage done can be permanent and complications due to this condition may persist, such as high blood pressure and fluid buildup that needs managing.

Poorer liver function or damage might be a lifelong condition for you, so it’s important that you maintain your medical appointments and continue living more healthily for your liver and yourself.

 

Getting Help to Stop Drinking

If your alcohol use is severe, professional help can be effective.

At a professional alcohol rehab centre, you can go through medically assisted withdrawal to safely end your body’s dependence on the substance. Afterwards, you’ll participate in a combination of individual and group therapies to better understand your addiction, work on relapse prevention and build up healthier coping mechanisms.

Many centres offer aftercare too, continued support that eases the transition into sober life and provides a support network that helps you feel connected. There is also support for people with alcohol-related health complications, allowing you to get the specific advice and guidance you need.

 

Help Your Liver Out and Stop Drinking Today

Liver damage due to alcohol is serious, and damage can be reversed if spotted early. If you are worried about liver damage, contact your GP now.

Sometimes, the situation may be more serious. If you are experiencing symptoms such as vomiting blood, black stools, severe confusion, or breathing difficulties, then contact emergency services immediately.

You don’t have to face your drinking struggles alone. For confidential support and help with your next steps, contact Addiction Advocates today.