Alcoholic Cirrhosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Alcoholic Cirrhosis?
A hepatologist (a liver doctor) treats alcoholic cirrhosis. A gastroenterologist (a doctor who treats digestive system problems) may also treat it. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is alcoholic cirrhosis?
Alcoholic cirrhosis is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease. This is liver damage from heavy drinking. It most often happens after years of heavy drinking. Over time, scarring can occur in the liver. Symptoms may not appear until the liver is badly damaged. Symptoms tend to be worse after a period of heavy drinking.
Symptoms
Early symptoms can include:
- Loss of energy, and feeling tired or weak.
- Poor appetite and weight loss.
- Nausea, and mild pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the belly.
- Small, red spider-like blood vessels on the skin.
As the liver gets worse, symptoms can include:
- Fluid buildup in the legs (edema) and in the belly (ascites).
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).
- Easy bruising and abnormal bleeding.
- Itchy skin.
- Confusion, memory loss, or problems thinking.
- Bleeding from enlarged veins, called varices, in the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach), stomach, or intestines.
Causes and who gets it
Alcoholic cirrhosis comes from years of heavy drinking. The risk goes up the longer a person drinks and the more they drink. Not all heavy drinkers get it, and some people have an inherited risk. It is most common in people between 40 and 50 years of age. Men are more likely to have this problem. Women may develop the disease after less alcohol than men. Alcohol-associated liver disease (liver damage from drinking too much alcohol) is one of the most common causes of cirrhosis.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors do a physical exam and look for an enlarged liver or spleen, a swollen belly, jaundice, and spider-like blood vessels on the skin. Tests can include a complete blood count (a blood test that counts blood cells) and liver function tests (blood tests that show how the liver works). Blood clotting tests check for bleeding problems. Imaging tests, such as an ultrasound (sound wave pictures of the belly), CT scan, or MRI, can show the liver. A liver biopsy (taking a small piece of liver tissue to look at) may also be done. An upper endoscopy (a look inside the esophagus with a thin camera) checks for swollen veins.
Treatment
No specific treatments can cure cirrhosis and reverse liver damage. But treating the cause can slow further damage. Doctors recommend that you completely stop drinking alcohol. If you drink heavily every day, do not stop suddenly on your own. Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening, so your doctor decides how to stop safely. They may refer people for alcohol treatment. "Water pills" (diuretics) help remove extra fluid from the body. Doctors may also recommend a healthy diet that is low in salt. Medicines can help when toxins build up in the brain and cause confusion. For varices, doctors may prescribe medicines and use procedures during an endoscopy to stop or prevent bleeding. Antibiotics treat infections. If cirrhosis leads to liver failure, the only treatment is a liver transplant. Doctors only consider it for people who have completely avoided alcohol for 6 months. Doctors also recommend vaccines for the flu, hepatitis A and B, pneumococcal pneumonia, and COVID-19. Talk to your provider about all medicines you take, including herbs and supplements.
When to see a doctor
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you vomit blood, have black or bloody stools, have rectal bleeding or blood in the urine, have a fever, or have new or worsening confusion or a seizure. New belly swelling that suddenly gets worse, or new yellowing of the skin or eyes that gets worse quickly, also needs help right away. Call your doctor if you develop symptoms after a long period of heavy drinking, or if you worry that drinking may be harming your health.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can order blood tests to check your liver, review all your medicines, and help coordinate care with a liver specialist.
Common questions
Can the liver heal if I stop drinking?
It depends. Alcoholic liver disease is treatable if it is caught before it causes severe damage. Continued excessive drinking can shorten your lifespan. In case of severe damage, the liver cannot heal or return to normal function.
What is ascites?
Ascites is fluid buildup in the belly. Doctors may prescribe medicines that remove fluid from the body and recommend limiting sodium. If large amounts of fluid build up, doctors may use a needle to drain the fluid and check it for infection.
Who is most likely to get alcoholic cirrhosis?
It is most common in people between 40 and 50 years of age, and men are more likely to have it. The risk goes up with more years of heavy drinking. Not all heavy drinkers get liver disease.
What should I avoid?
Do not drink alcohol. Talk with your doctor before taking prescription or over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, or herbal supplements. Avoid raw or undercooked shellfish, fish, and meat.
Sources
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia - Alcoholic liver disease
- NIDDK - Symptoms & Causes of Cirrhosis
- NIDDK - Treatment for Cirrhosis
- MedlinePlus - Alcohol withdrawal
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
