3 Reasons to Stop Drinking: Can You Reverse Liver Damage?

Alcohol is one of the leading causes of severe liver damage, and chronic excessive drinking contributes to a growing number of liver cancer deaths worldwide. Still, social drinking may play a big role in our lives, depending on our culture and social circles.

When it comes down to it, how much alcohol is too much?

According to the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the definition of binge drinking includes: Having five or more drinks for men (or four or more for women) within a few hours, at least once a month.

Drinking too much for even a short period can make your liver fatty (build-up of fat in the liver) and inflamed. While early-stage liver disease usually remains symptom-free, if the excessive drinking continues, symptoms like fever, vomiting or abdominal pain (which can feel like stomach pain after drinking) may worsen.

For 1 in 10 heavy drinkers, it can take 10 or more years for heavy drinkers to develop severe liver damage (cirrhosis). Heavy drinkers include men who have more than 15 drinks a week or women who have more than 8 drinks a week.

“If I quit drinking, will my liver heal?” In the early stages, liver damage is usually reversible. Inflammation and fat buildup in your liver cells can go down once you stop drinking, even within a few weeks.

If you find yourself drinking a lot and often, here are some reasons why you might want to cut down on the booze.

1. Early-stage liver disease is reversible

Stopping drinking is the only way to reverse liver damage or prevent it from worsening.

2. You might not realize if you’re drinking too much

Early-stage liver disease usually doesn’t have any symptoms. By the time you notice them, the damage to the liver is usually quite advanced and difficult to reverse.

3. Stopping in the future may be troublesome or require medical support

Chronic heavy drinking can change your brain’s chemistry. When you drink, your brain is flooded with neurotransmitters, creating that feel-good “buzz”. Eventually, your body may start to crave the effects of alcohol even when you stop. At this point, you might start to face stronger withdrawal symptoms, making quitting more challenging.

Quitting alcohol can feel like a challenge, but it can improve your quality of life, make you feel better, and reduce your risk of disease in the long term. Around 50% of people who stop drinking abruptly will experience alcohol withdrawal syndrome, although the intensity can vary.

The first 12 to 48 hours after your last drink, you may start to feel some minor withdrawal symptoms, including headaches, stomach discomfort, anxiety and insomnia. Luckily, these are usually mild at first. After some more time, they may intensify, depending on how your body reacts.

Three to seven days after, around 3 to 5% of people who experience difficulty withdrawing may start to face more intense symptoms, including fever, accelerated heart rate, and excessive sweating, usually associated with alcohol withdrawal delirium. In these cases, medical intervention is likely necessary. This may include intravenous fluids, anticonvulsants or other medications for fever and body aches.

As time goes on, your symptoms will likely subside. Still, the effects on your mood, cravings and sleep may continue for a few months.

While making substantial changes to your lifestyle can be difficult, with the right support, you can make a change that’s best for you and your loved ones. Reaching out to your doctor or local addiction support center can also provide the stability and resources to enable you to make these changes safely.