Can you still drink alcohol if you have alcoholic liver disease?

Generally, whether a person with alcoholic liver disease can drink alcohol depends on the severity of their condition. Individuals with mild alcoholic liver disease must strictly abstain from alcohol during treatment and recovery; those with severe alcoholic liver disease must completely avoid alcohol at all times, regardless of whether they are undergoing treatment or in the recovery phase. The detailed explanation is as follows:

If alcoholic liver disease is in the mild stage, liver damage is relatively minor. Continuing to drink at this point allows alcohol to continuously stimulate liver cells, worsening inflammatory responses and potentially causing rapid progression to fatty liver, liver fibrosis, or even cirrhosis. Therefore, individuals with mild alcoholic liver disease must strictly stop drinking to allow the liver adequate rest.

If alcoholic liver disease has progressed to a severe stage—such as the development of cirrhosis or liver failure—the liver has already sustained serious and irreversible damage. Drinking alcohol under these circumstances further accelerates liver cell necrosis and may trigger life-threatening complications such as upper gastrointestinal bleeding or hepatic encephalopathy.

In daily life, patients with alcoholic liver disease should take good care of their health. In addition to strictly avoiding alcohol, they should maintain a light and easily digestible diet, consume more foods rich in vitamins and protein—such as fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat, and soy products—and avoid high-fat and high-sugar foods.