I am not without my own dependency issues but thanks to the people here and the information I have curtailed my cravings, on and off but all good at the moment. I am asking for help with a simple explanation, my friend is recovering in a rehab on weeks 3 and on discharge will most likely not follow an orthodox recovery plan, rather its about doing things that don't involve alcohol intake. He has a fatty liver which was noted during recent bypass surgery , what I want to explain to him is what the next stage of decreased liver function is should he not at least follow recommended guidelines on alcohol , can anyone drop me a quick explanation so that I can hit home the message. Id really appreciate anybody who can advise on this, I just want to use the right words and a clinical warning coming from a trusted friend is what I want to get home. Many Thanks
Written by
GANDONAS14
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
It is hard for us non- medical people to put it succinctly- but I’m sure you will get some excellent replies nevertheless. For me I would refer your friend to these NHS words.
“The type of illnesses you can develop after 10 to 20 years of regularly drinking more than 14 units a week include:
cancers of the mouth, throat and breast
stroke
heart disease
liver disease
brain damage
damage to the nervous system
There's also evidence that regular drinking at high-risk levels can make your mental health worse.”
I hope your friend makes a full recovery and can see the dangers of drinking to “excess”. Good luck to you both 👍.
Thanks indeed , you are right someone will hit the nail on the head, seems like fatty then fibrosis then cirrhosis is the route. I wish they had given us all this at school !!!
Hi , indeed yes , Im not sure what the physical education and health and wellbeing regime is like these days, we were shown a cartoon of a penis inserted into a vagina when we were in Primary 6 when we were more interested in playing football , fishing, cycling and playing games in the garden. Then in secondary school received no health education at all and embarked on our alcoholic journeys, it was very common in the West Of Scotland , 15 was the age for cider and fortified wine and then we entered the abyss... my friend in question was one of many. Maybe its different now , just imagine a British Liver Trust roadshow at a major university !
Funny you should mention the sex education comment because I've never forget the day when my 6 or was 7 year old son came home from primary school asking sexual questions after watching a vedio at school .... shocking or what👎 Children of this age should be allowed to be kids and play and enjoy life. However I too knew nothing at the age of 13 /14 and also dont remember getting any sexual education either! This was 50 years ago and I know things have changed!
However now that this subject is not today topic ....maybe there are advisors that do go around schools explaining in depth ....I mean in depth the gory side of drinking alcohol and the horrid damage it causes to your liver and other possible organs as not all students are definately not aware of the potential health risks including my two grown ups who like to party like most. (Please note I'm no party pooper and alcohol is not bad in extreme small quantities on the odd ocassion)
I'm a great believer in showing students the real damage ... the scary reality ..... not the odd slide show once year.
Maybe students should get to know someone who is poorly and write a case study exercise on what they've learnt as part of there curriculum.....
Hi Yes thats basically the order of things. By the cirrhosis stage if alcohol is still being consumed you WILL die prematurely.
I agree the truth about alcohol should be taught in schools and great idea .... liver trust visit the universities ? Yes please. My daughter was put off doing an arts course there because of the dreadful reputation of booze culture they have .
Thanks and Im pretty clear now on what I am going to talk to him about , he did have some enzyme tests ALT 27 ALP50 Bilirubin13 Albumin46 and GGT163 on week 2 of detox but wasn't really sure of any significance ?
I am not qualified to give answers on test results. The British Liver Trust has pages of information about and explaining the various liver tests. britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...
You have had some great replies from Laura and Miles. We also have a publication 'Alcohol and liver disease' which you could print out and show your friend?
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Can Fatty Liver Cause an Enlarged Liver
Alcoholic Fatty liver likely
Advice on fatty liver pain
Alcohol Related Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty liver reversal.
