Cirrhosis is the most serious stage of alcohol-related liver damage, when the liver has a lot of severe scarring, and the charity says up to one in five heavy drinkers will develop cirrhosis.
The NHS explains that although the liver is very resilient and capable of regenerating itself. Each time your liver filters alcohol, some of the liver cells die.
It says: “The liver can develop new cells, but prolonged alcohol misuse (drinking too much) over many years can reduce its ability to regenerate. This can result in serious and permanent damage to your liver.”
The NHS says if you think you may need help with alcohol, a good place to start is with a GP. Try to be accurate and honest about how much you drink and any problems it may be causing you.
