From 10-12 Cans a Day to End-Stage Cirrhosis: One Man's Wake-Up Call About Alcohol and Liver Damage

Alcohol-related liver disease can progress silently until serious damage occurs, as one man's story reveals. Neil's drinking started as a social habit after work and sports, but gradually escalated to 10-12 cans per day before he was diagnosed with end-stage cirrhosis in 2022. His experience illustrates how addiction can mask the severity of consumption and why recognizing the problem early is critical for liver health.

How Did Neil's Drinking Spiral Out of Control?

What began as casual pub visits with friends transformed into a daily dependency that Neil didn't fully recognize at the time. "When you are an alcoholic you don't think about how much you drink, it's like a drug and you have to get as much of it as you can," Neil explained. The progression was gradual enough that he didn't notice the warning signs until his body forced the issue. By the time his stomach began swelling in summer 2022, the damage was already severe.

Neil's GP ordered an ultrasound after noticing signs of liver problems, which revealed cirrhosis—a condition where liver tissue becomes scarred and permanently damaged. At that point, Neil was placed on water retention tablets and scheduled for regular blood tests every three months to monitor his condition.

What Changed When Neil Finally Stopped Drinking?

The turning point came during Christmas 2023 when Neil's children gave him a box of non-alcoholic beer. Recognizing the message, he made the decision to quit on January 2, 2024. However, stopping after years of heavy consumption wasn't painless. "It made me nasty at first, but I got through it," Neil recalled. The withdrawal period was difficult, but he persisted because he understood the stakes.

Six months into sobriety, Neil's condition took a critical turn. A routine blood test in June 2024 revealed that fluid was accumulating in his abdomen—a condition called ascites. He was admitted to the hospital and remained there for three weeks, nearly losing his life in the process.

Understanding the Medical Interventions Neil Required

Neil's hospitalization involved several procedures to manage the severe complications of his cirrhosis:

• Ascites Drainage: Doctors performed multiple drainage procedures to remove fluid from his abdomen, extracting 12 liters during the first procedure alone.
• TIPS Procedure: Neil underwent a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) operation, a specialized procedure that helps reduce pressure in the liver and improves blood flow, which he described as painless and requiring only a three-day hospital stay.
• Hernia Repair: The severe ascites caused an umbilical hernia that also required surgical correction.

When Neil was transferred to a specialized liver hospital in Leeds in September 2024, his care improved dramatically. The specialized liver unit performed his drainage procedures in just an hour-and-a-half with minimal pain, compared to the six-hour ordeals at the previous hospital.

What Does Neil's Future Look Like?

Despite his commitment to sobriety and successful medical interventions, Neil faces a sobering reality: his liver will never fully repair itself. Because he has end-stage cirrhosis, the damage is permanent. His medical team estimates he will need a liver transplant within eight to ten years, depending on how his condition progresses. He now requires scans every six months to monitor his liver function and overall health.

Today, Neil considers himself "a recovering alcoholic" and hasn't had a drink since January 2, 2024. He drinks only soda water and has learned to navigate social situations where others might pressure him to drink. "Sometimes people will try to buy me a drink, saying 'One won't hurt' but my friends will either jump in and stop them or I give it to someone else," he shared. His commitment stems not just from self-preservation, but from gratitude to his family and the medical professionals who saved his life.

Neil's message to others is direct: "If you drink too much you have to accept that you're an alcoholic to get better and to give up alcohol you have to want to do it for yourself". His story underscores that while cirrhosis is irreversible, stopping alcohol consumption can prevent further deterioration and improve quality of life—but only if the decision comes from genuine commitment rather than external pressure.