Alcoholic Liver Disease and How It Can Be Treated

Whether caused by a virus or too many toxins, inflammation of the liver is known by the same name: hepatitis. Alcoholic hepatitis most often appears in chronic drinkers who have recently engaged in unusually intense episodes of consumption.

Widely known as the first stage of liver disease, hepatitis eventually leads to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and chronic liver failure. But is also known to appear in alcoholics who already suffer from these complications.

The Canyon's qualified medical staff specializes in the treatment of addiction-related disorders. A thorough health screening is provided during admission to seek out any complications that may need to be addressed before or during detox. The safety and comfort of each client is paramount before beginning any type of drug treatment at The Canyon.

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Treatments for Alcoholic Liver Disease

Abstinence is by far the most effective means of treating alcoholic hepatitis. Remove the toxins, and you eliminate the body's reaction. With advanced stages of liver disease, however, the goal is to prevent further damage or death. Extremely serious cases may require emergency medical care or hospitalization to stabilize liver metabolism or infection before entering rehab treatment.

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Treatment for Alcoholic Liver Disease: Nutritional Therapy

A diet consisting primarily of unhealthy foods is by itself a large contributor to liver damage. Combine that with alcohol's depleting effects of essential vitamins and minerals, and you've got a recipe for malnutrition. The second best avenue to improving the life of your liver is to eat foods that are low in fat and high in nutrients - lots of them, as you'll be needing the extra calories to repair damaged tissues. Supplement with thiamin (vitamin B-1), riboflavin (vitamin B-2), Pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B-6), calcium, iron, and medium-chain triglycerides (found in coconut oil) to give your body an extra boost during the restoration process.

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Treatment for Alcoholic Liver Disease: Lifestyle Changes

Tobacco use increases inflammation and cirrhosis activity, while obesity brings about fatty liver - fat deposits that produce abnormal liver functioning. Smoking less and exercising more are healthy ways to work through cravings while helping yourself achieve your goals.

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Treatment for Alcoholic Liver Disease: Drug Therapies

Corticosteroids are used to ease more serious cases of inflammation, preventing further damage done by scarring. Pentoxifylline halts production of a substance known as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which elevates inflammation by motivating immune responses.

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Treatment for Alcoholic Liver Disease: Liver Transplant

When liver disease is too far advanced and the risk of failure is urgent, a transplant may be the only option for survival. But most transplant centers won't accept patients whose liver failure is the result of alcoholism. This is due, in part, to a high demand for healthy organs and a low number of individuals willing to donate. The stigma of "once a drunk, always a drunk" doesn't help either - doctors have concerns about patients relapsing, refusing to accept rehab, and/or anti-rejection medication.

Medical centers that will accept recovering alcoholics have strict requirements, including a minimum of six months sobriety prior to surgery and enrollment in a long-term alcohol treatment program.

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Alcohol Rehab at The Canyon

The Canyon helps ease the transition from dependency to self-discipline with residential in-patient therapy participation, 12-step recovery and support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, and continued out-patient care as part of a comprehensive aftercare approach.

Call The Canyon at today to find out more about our unique programs.

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