Heavy drinking can have many negative health effects, so it’s common to look for strategies to improve health and well-being after struggling with alcohol abuse.
One of the main adverse health outcomes you may hear about is alcohol-related liver damage. For example, a study from the Journal of Alcohol Research states that excessive alcohol use over an extended period is often associated with several stages of liver disease, such as steatosis, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
Those effects are why quitting heavy drinking is important, along with making lifestyle changes to improve your health and well-being.
In this guide, we’ll detail how to reset your liver after heavy drinking, tips for recovery from alcohol abuse, and how well-rounded alcohol detox programs at a treatment center can make a difference.
What Heavy Drinking Does to Your Liver
The liver plays a major role in processing alcohol that enters the body.
After alcohol enters your system, it goes to the stomach, where it’s digested and absorbed into the bloodstream. Next, it makes its way to the brain, where it slows the central nervous system, which causes the effects that make you feel drunk. Then, it makes its way to the liver, where it’s processed for removal from the body.
Research shows that the liver can process about one standard alcoholic beverage per hour. Therefore, if someone has several drinks in a short amount of time, the alcohol stays in the body for a while, and the liver has to keep working hard to process all of it.
Since alcohol is toxic to the body, consuming high amounts increases the risk of inflammation and scarring on organs like the liver, that are responsible for processing it. Those risks increase with the more alcohol you drink, and can result in health effects such as alcohol-related liver disease over time.
Signs Your Liver May Need a Reset
Some early signs of liver damage from alcohol include:
- Frequent stomach pain (often in the upper right part of the stomach)
- Decreased appetite
- Unexpected weight loss
- Feeling nauseous
Then, as liver damage progresses further, it can result in more serious effects, such as:
- Swollen stomach, ankles, or legs
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Redness on the palms of the hands
- Brain fog
- Increased fatigue
Whether you’re noticing the early or later-stage signs, it’s the body’s way of telling you that you need to heal the liver after alcohol abuse. Fortunately, there are ways to support liver health that can help. It’s important to take action as soon as possible to avoid more permanent damage.
Healthy Ways to Support Your Liver After Heavy Drinking
Several lifestyle changes can help support liver health after drinking. A well-rounded alcohol addiction treatment program, such as ours at Genesis House, will integrate these elements into your treatment plan to assist during the recovery process. The ways you can support your liver include:
Hydration and Balanced Nutrition
The American Liver Foundation recommends staying hydrated and eating a well-balanced diet to support liver health. It’s important to fuel the body with enough water, minerals, and antioxidants to support detoxification after heavy alcohol use. It’ll keep energy levels higher and give the body the fuel it needs during recovery.
Stopping Alcohol Use
It’s often necessary to stop alcohol use since it can continue to worsen existing liver damage. That’s especially important for anyone showing signs of alcohol addiction, where it’s hard to control alcohol consumption.
Speaking to professionals at an addiction treatment center can help you determine if you’re struggling with addiction and create a plan to stop alcohol use.
Getting Enough Sleep
Sleep is one of the primary times when your body heals and recovers, so it’s important to sleep enough while you’re healing from liver damage and alcohol abuse. Plus, a healthy sleep schedule will help you build good habits that lead to long-term success after recovering.
Regular Exercise
Studies show that regular exercise improves metabolic health and can support recovery and overall well-being when struggling with alcoholic liver disease. You’ll still need a well-rounded rehab program to recover, but positive lifestyle changes provide significant benefits alongside a good treatment plan.
What Not to Do
One of the things you should avoid when trying to recover from alcohol-related liver damage is any quick fixes you see promoted.
It takes the body time to heal itself and time to successfully recover from alcohol addiction to prevent future issues. Quick fixes like cleanses or unproven supplements usually aren’t evidence-based treatment options and can lead to relapses when you don’t solve the underlying problems contributing to heavy alcohol use in the first place.
Additionally, it’s important to avoid drinking more alcohol during recovery. Trying to recover from liver issues or heavy alcohol use is a stressful time, so it can feel tempting to drink to try to feel better or take the edge off. However, drinking more can reverse the progress you’ve already made.
A medical detox program at a treatment center can provide support to ensure you manage any alcohol withdrawal symptoms, avoid drinking, and keep you as comfortable as possible during the process.
When it’s More Than Just a Reset
Sometimes, heavy drinking is more than just a temporary issue. It can signify an alcohol addiction that requires quitting drinking entirely for the long term to avoid future problems. Signs that you or a loved one need more than just a temporary reset to cut back drinking include:
- Previously trying to stop drinking or cut back and not being able to despite negative consequences like liver problems
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms after stopping alcohol use
- Constantly thinking about alcohol or trying to find excuses to drink
- Having alcohol use negatively impact relationships, work, or school
- Feeling withdrawn or no longer participating in things you used to enjoy
- Having financial or legal problems resulting from alcohol use
When you or a loved one is experiencing any of these signs, it’s a good idea to reassess your relationship with alcohol and consider whether liver damage may be a sign that quitting drinking is necessary.
Fortunately, recovery options are available that can help you stop drinking for good and get back on the right track.
How Genesis House Can Help
Genesis House is a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center. We provide several alcohol addiction treatment options, including medical detox, inpatient rehab, and outpatient rehab. Each treatment option is tailored to your individual needs, ensuring you receive the therapy, lifestyle, and medical support necessary for a full recovery.
You can set up a free consultation with us to discuss your needs or reach out with any questions you have about treatment options.
Get in touch today to learn more about how Genesis House can support you.
References
- Osna, Natalia A, et al. “Alcoholic Liver Disease: Pathogenesis and Current Management.” Alcohol Research : Current Reviews, vol. 38, no. 2, 2017, p. 147, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5513682/
- California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. “Alcohol Facts | Alcoholic Beverage Control.” California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 2025, https://www.abc.ca.gov/education/licensee-education/alcohol-facts/
- American Liver Foundation. “Liver Disease Diets.” American Liver Foundation, 13 Feb. 2024, https://liverfoundation.org/health-and-wellness/healthy-lifestyle/liver-disease-diets/
- Shay, Jessica. Article Navigation Journal Article Moderate-High Intensity Exercise Associates with Reduced Incident Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease in High-Risk Patients. Journal of Alcohol and Alcoholism, Sept. 2023, https://academic.oup.com/alcalc/article/58/5/472/7240626
