In this form, the liver cells become bloated with fat. Cirrhosis does not often occur in fatty liver alone. This is a much more severe form of liver disease. Progression to cirrhosis is common. This represents irreversible liver damage.
Scar tissue replaces much of the normal liver.
In end stage cirrhosis, liver transplantation is the only hope for survival. However, transplantation in alcoholic liver disease is very controversial. Even then, the majority die while on the transplant list. Some patients die of acute alcoholic hepatitis, but most survive. Patients with cirrhosis inevitably die of progressive liver disease if they continue to drink.