What Does Alcohol Do to Your Liver?
When one is struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD), they have lost control of their own mind, including conscious thought. This ultimately leads to other bodily damage. So, when asking the question, “What does alcohol do to your liver?” one must answer, “It ultimately devastates it.”
Better Understanding Addiction and Alcohol Use Disorder
It is important to understand that addiction, including AUD, is a disease. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Many people don’t understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs [including alcohol]. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will.”
It is also important to understand that addiction and AUD are also family diseases. This is because addiction affects the entire family (and close friends), not just the individual who is struggling. However, while it is tragic that the family can be so intimately affected, they also have a chance at being the first line of defense in getting their loved ones help and finding treatment for alcoholism. The key is to know what signs and symptoms to look out for.
The Warning Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder
There is little doubt about the dangers that AUD can have on the body. According to Alcohol Research & Health, “Alcohol consumption, particularly heavier drinking, is an important risk factor for many health problems and, thus, is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. In fact, alcohol is a necessary underlying cause of more than 30 conditions and a contributing factor to many more. The most common disease categories that are entirely or partly caused by alcohol consumption include infectious diseases, cancer, diabetes, neuropsychiatric diseases (including alcohol use disorders), cardiovascular disease, liver and pancreas disease, and unintentional and intentional injury.”
Excessive alcohol use and AUD also cause many other problems. The following are just a few of the other signs and symptoms of AUD:
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Not being able to stop once starting drinking or using
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and wellbeing
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Having suicidal ideations
The Importance of Your Liver
It is important to remember that your liver works to keep the body functioning at optimal levels. Your liver is part of a myriad of functions.
According to Current Biology (CB), “The liver is a critical hub for numerous physiological processes. These include macronutrient metabolism, blood volume regulation, immune system support, endocrine control of growth signaling pathways, lipid and cholesterol homeostasis, and the breakdown of xenobiotic compounds, including many current drugs. Processing, partitioning, and metabolism of macronutrients provide the energy needed to drive the aforementioned processes and are therefore among the liver’s most critical functions.” Excessive alcohol use and AUD inhibits these functions.
What Does Alcohol Do to Your Liver?
Alcohol ultimately breaks down your liver. According to Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, “The liver sustains the greatest degree of tissue injury by heavy drinking because it is the primary site of ethanol metabolism. Chronic and excessive alcohol consumption produces a wide spectrum of hepatic lesions, the most characteristic of which are steatosis, hepatitis, and fibrosis/cirrhosis. Steatosis is the earliest response to heavy drinking and is characterized by the deposition of fat in hepatocytes.”
The good news is that your liver is very resilient. Depending on how excessive the alcohol use was, your liver can begin restoring itself as soon as alcohol stops being consumed. From there, one can fully detox and then begin the process of recovery. This may include residential addiction treatment or a partial hospitalization program (PHP). The key is to find the right program with the right means, methods, and modalities to fit your unique needs and recovery goals.
The Phoenix Difference at The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in what we like to call the Phoenix Difference – “Empowering individuals and families suffering from addiction and mental health disorders, to celebrate life through lasting solutions.”
There is a solution. There is a possibility. There is hope. We can help.
Many people don’t realize the full physical toll that alcohol can take on the body. This is especially true in the damage that it can do to the liver. When it comes to alcohol use disorder (AUD), it is important to better understand liver functions and how one can best heal after they have had alcohol-induced damage to their liver. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. To begin your healing journey complete this short form or call The Phoenix Recovery Center at (801) 438-3185.
