Acute fatty liver is reversible it alcohol use is stopped. Alcoholic hepatitis, which often follows a severe or prolonged bout of heavy drinking. The liver becomes inflamed, damaging many liver cells, and metabolism is seriously disturbed. Alcoholic hepatitis is usually reversible with abstinence from alcohol. In some drinkers, it can be fatal or can become chronic.
Alcoholic hepatitis precedes alcoholic cirrhosis in some cases.
Cirrhosis of the liver, a condition in which there is major destruction of liver cells and a build-up of scar tissue. One in 10 long-term heavy drinkers eventually develops cirrhosis of the liver. Because of the irreversible damage caused, a person with cirrhosis will most likely die within five years. Heavy alcohol use is an important factor in causing high blood pressure and an enlarged heart, which increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. As few as two drinks a day can lead to impaired muscle functioning of the heart.