Causes of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
Primarily, the causes of alcohol-related liver disease are chronic and excessive alcohol consumption. The liver metabolises alcohol, breaking it down into chemicals the body can eliminate. However, consuming large amounts of alcohol or drinking over long periods produces toxic by-products that damage liver cells, cause inflammation, and disrupt normal liver function.
How Alcohol Harms the Liver
Liver enzymes process alcohol into acetaldehyde — a toxic compound that promotes inflammation and fat buildup in liver cells. Over time, this process kills cells, causes scarring (fibrosis), and eventually leads to cirrhosis, where scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue.
Risk Factors
Not everyone who drinks heavily develops ARLD, but several factors increase the risk:
- Duration and quantity of alcohol use – The longer and heavier the drinking, the greater the risk.
- Gender – Women are more susceptible due to lower body water content and slower alcohol metabolism.
- Genetics – Family history of liver disease may increase vulnerability.
- Co-existing liver infections – Hepatitis B or C accelerates liver damage in heavy drinkers.
- Obesity – Increases the risk of fatty liver, which worsens alcohol-related damage.
- Poor nutrition – Common in heavy drinkers and worsens liver function.
In South Africa, socio-economic challenges, limited access to healthcare, and the normalisation of binge drinking contribute to rising ARLD cases. Drinking large amounts of home-brewed or illicit alcohol, sometimes with unknown additives, may also increase toxicity.
Importantly, ARLD does not require alcoholism to develop. Even regular binge drinking — such as weekends only — can lead to long-term liver damage.
Understanding these causes and risk factors helps identify who is most vulnerable, allowing earlier diagnosis and targeted intervention.
Related Topics
Alcohol-induced liver damage, Chronic drinking, Alcohol misuse, Liver inflammation, Fatty liver causes, Alcoholic hepatitis, Cirrhosis causes, Risk factors, Liver disease from alcohol, Long-term alcohol use, Liver scarring, Hepatic damage, Alcohol abuse effects
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Alcohol-Related Liver Disease Overview
