A recent increase in liver transplants among young adults has been attributed to alcohol-related liver disease, with some patients as young as their early 20s having started drinking in their teenage years, according to Burton, a liver health expert. Alcohol-related liver disease accounts for nearly half of all liver transplant surgeries, he pointed out.
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Burton emphasized that even individuals who do not drink daily but engage in heavy alcohol consumption on weekends, consuming eight to ten drinks, are at risk of developing liver problems. The situation worsened during Covid-19 lockdowns, as more people turned to excessive drinking at home.
Women metabolize alcohol differently from men, Burton cautioned.
Emma Lillibridge, 31, shared her unexpected journey to becoming a liver transplant recipient after seeking medical attention for an illness in Colorado. She was surprised to learn the severity of her liver issues.
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Lillibridge revealed that her heavy alcohol consumption in her 20s led to the deterioration of her liver health, requiring surgical intervention.
Reflecting on her experience, she recalled entering the hospital believing she had pneumonia and leaving five weeks later with a new lease on life after receiving a liver transplant.
Having worked in a brewery and been surrounded by heavy drinkers, Lillibridge realized the normalization of excessive alcohol consumption in our society, prompting her to share her story to raise awareness.
By the age of 30, Lillibridge was informed that a transplant was necessary to save her life. Today, she advocates for early recognition of alcohol-related issues to prevent similar health crises.
Following her liver transplant in October 2023, Lillibridge reported being sober, healthy, and preparing to embark on a new chapter in her life, including a new job and impending marriage.
(Source: Alcohol-related liver transplants on the rise among young adults, doctor says)
