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Liver Disease
Overview
Some forms of chemical dependency have particularly harmful effects on the liver. Most commonly, liver problems are found among the abusers of alcohol, injected drugs, and inhalants. In the case of alcohol abuse, the metabolism of alcohol in the liver leaves harmful residues of acetaldehyde (a chemical toxic to the human body) and free radicals that damage healthy cells and cause inflammation. Free radicals have also been implicated in the development of cancer.
Specific Liver Diseases
Fatty liver, the most common form of alcohol-related liver disease, is generally reversible with abstinence. More serious forms of alcohol-induced liver disease are alcoholic hepatitis, which involves chronic inflammation of the liver, and cirrhosis, which occurs after years of heavy drinking. First the damaged liver enlarges with fat cells. As drinking continues, more liver cells die and a process of scarring occurs. As the scarring gets worse, the liver contracts and becomes smaller and harder. Blood can no longer flow through it, which causes a dangerous condition that can lead to massive internal hemorrhaging and certain forms of liver cancer. Either of these illnesses can be fatal.
Hepatitis C is also a disease particularly common among injected drug users. Research studies have found very high infection rates among drug abusers. Those who are affected are at risk for liver inflammation and failure. When the liver is failing, the person must have a liver transplant to survive.
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