Serious Liver Disease From Heavy Drinking Has More Than Doubled

Heavy drinkers are more than twice as likely to develop serious liver disease compared to 20 years ago… even though America’s average alcohol intake has remained steady, a new study finds.

Researchers say the rise is likely due to changes in drinking demographics.

Women, adults over 45, people living in poverty, and those with metabolic syndrome now make up a greater share of hard drinkers – groups already at higher risk for liver damage from alcohol.

An analysis of data collected in national health surveys found more than 4% of heavy drinkers had severe liver scarring between 2013 and 2020, up from less than 2% in 1999 to 2004.

The lead author says, “Alcohol-related liver disease is the main cause of liver-related death and these results are a major wakeup call to the dangers of drinking.”

He says more screening and intervention is urgently needed in high-risk populations.

Heavy drinking is defined by the CDC as consuming eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more for men.

Source: Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Author Affiliations: Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California