alcoholic

Hello,
I'm a 23-year-old alcoholic who has been abusing alcohol, on average, by drinking about a liter of alcohol every 3 days since I was 18 or 19 or so.  I've quite a few times and have gotten into programs in the past.  I'm going to meetings now and haven't had a drink in a week.  But I'm wondering after the damage I may have already done to my liver.  I know that drinking can cause scar tissue to form and leave the abuser with cirrhosis.  I also know that the liver regenerates to a certain extent.  I guess I'm worried that i have the liver function now, after so much abuse, of a 70-year-old man.  What hope do I have of reclaiming my health and my liver regenerating?  How much damage, according to studies, could one estimate that I've already done to my liver and body?

[leslieann2]

(I am the same poster as above).  I forgot to mention that I'm under 5' and weight about 104 pounds.

[avisg]

good for you , i am glad to hear you have a week sober . I think the meetings will really help. You are more then welcome to post on this board but just so you know there is an alcoholism board as well. I dont know alot about the liver problem but i know you can have a doctor run some blood work that would help you figure out what condition your liver is in. Keep going to the meetings .......
avis

[dove3053]

Your so young that you have every chance of living a normal life. If you want to know about your liver functions go to a M.D. and they will do a blood test that will tell you. I would go to the alcoholism forum, that may help more.

Dove

[MICHAEL_777]

I used to drink quite a bit when I was younger.  I drank heavily for about 5 years going through an 18 pack of beer a night and a pint of whiskey on the weekends.  I quit drinking about 6 years ago and the last liver tests I had done came back clean.  You're lucky that you are stopping this at an early age.  I know too many that didn't and caused irreversible damage.  Avis is right; keep going to meetings and never turn back.  Go have blood panels run and explain to the doctor exactly what you would like to know.  Love and Strength to you!