What liver condition is associated with excessive alcohol consumption?

Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver condition that results from chronic damage to the liver, often due to continuous excessive alcohol consumption. Over time, the liver becomes scarred as the body attempts to repair the liver tissue, leading to a decline in liver function. This fibrosis can interfere with the liver’s ability to process nutrients, hormones, drugs, and toxins, which can have serious health implications for the individual.

While other conditions, such as acute hepatitis and fatty liver disease, may also be related to alcohol intake, cirrhosis represents the culmination of ongoing damage resulting from sustained alcohol abuse. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, on the other hand, is defined by similar fatty deposits in the liver not related to alcohol consumption at all, illustrating a stark contrast in etiology. Understanding the progression from fatty liver disease to cirrhosis highlights the impact and risks associated with chronic alcohol misuse.