To Your Health? The Rise of Liver Disease

Alcohol is so ingrained in the way we celebrate that there are a lot of sayings we pair with a toast—cheers, bottoms up and down the hatch.

And sure, life has a lot of moments we want to acknowledge, but it may be time to examine whether or not to celebrate with alcohol, since alcohol-related liver disease is on the rise.

The CDC reports that 178,000 Americans die annually from excessive alcohol use, and other studies indicate that alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) cases are spiking, especially among younger adults. Between 1999 and 2016, the disease more than tripled among those 25 to 34, and ARLD deaths rose by 43% during those years.

Though obesity, poor nutrition, smoking, pre-existing liver conditions, family history and age can be contributing factors for ARLD, there are other things to consider. While men die more frequently from the disease, women are more vulnerable to liver damage even if they drink less. That’s why it’s suggested women consume no more than one drink in a single day, and men have no more than two.

However, the primary cause is drinking far more than the “standard drink” (12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor). Heavy drinking—more than eight drinks a week for women and 15 or more for men—can lead to liver disease that generally presents in three stages:

Alcohol-related fatty liver disease - When excess fat accumulates in the liver due to excessive alcohol consumption. Up to 90% of heavy drinkers have it, though it can be symptomless and begin as early as a person’s 20s.

Alcoholic hepatitis - Defined as inflammation of the liver caused by ongoing alcohol use. This is most frequently diagnosed in people in their 40s and 50s, and while it generally stems from decades of heavy drinking, it can also affect younger, moderate drinkers with other health risk factors.

Alcoholic cirrhosis - An irreversible scarring of the liver, most commonly diagnosed in a person’s early 50s. At this phase, the liver is permanently damaged.

Of course, we can’t put the spirits back in the bottle. However, the good news is that the liver is remarkably resilient. We can take steps now to minimize our risks and reverse some of the damage. For example, studies show you can reduce fatty liver disease in as little as two to four weeks after quitting alcohol.

It can also help you live longer.

A 2021 study published in JAMA found that middle-aged people who stopped drinking heavily reduced their risk of premature death by 72%. And that’s something to celebrate.

If you’re interested in other ways to live longer and healthier, including avoiding non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, keep an eye out for our special email series, Enjoy the Ride: Navigating a Longer, Healthier Life, which will launch this fall.

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