What Percentage of Alcoholics Get Liver Disease?

Alcoholic liver disease is a major source of alcohol–related morbidity and mortality. Heavy drinkers and alcoholics may progress from fatty liver to alcoholic hepatitis to cirrhosis, and it is estimated that 10 percent to 15 percent of alcoholics will develop cirrhosis.

How common is liver disease in alcoholics?

In heavy drinkers, only 1 in 5 develops alcoholic hepatitis and 1 in 4 develops cirrhosis. Fatty liver is a universal finding among heavy drinkers and up to 40% of those with moderate alcohol intake (10-80 mg/day) also exhibit fatty liver changes.

Do all alcoholics have liver disease?

Do all alcoholics get alcoholic hepatitis and eventually cirrhosis? No. Some alcoholics may suffer seriously from the many physical and psychological symptoms of alcoholism, but escape serious liver damage. Alcoholic cirrhosis is found among alcoholics about 10 to 25 percent of the time.