Courtesy of American Liver Foundation . Many victims of liver disease are not alcoholics. Even children can get cirrhosis. Alcohol and drugs can cause liver damage and life threatening illness. When drugs and alcohol damage liver cells scar tissue forms, called cirrhosis, which is permanent.
Liver damage can occur unnoticed especially in children who experiment with drugs.
Stopping the use of alcohol and drugs is critical to prevent further damage. Continued use of drugs and alcohol will cause additional scarring and serious health problems. Since there are no cures for most serious liver diseases and few effective treatments other than transplants, it is very important to prevent liver damage whenever possible. Liver disease that is alcohol-related is preventable. Many people believe they don't have to worry about alcohol's effects on their liver unless they are an alcoholic.