When an alcoholic stops drinking, severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms may occur. This may require a person to be admitted to the hospital. Seizures and even death can sometimes occur. All medications have side effects, including allergic reactions and stomach upset. Blood transfusions can cause allergic reactions and infections.
Surgery can result in bleeding, infection, and allergic reaction to anesthesia .
If drinking stops, fatty liver and hepatitis are usually reversible. Cirrhosis is not reversible but may stabilize. With advanced alcoholic cirrhosis, people usually die from liver failure even if they do stop drinking. If cirrhosis develops, lifelong treatment is required. Alcoholic liver disease is monitored through periodic visits to the healthcare provider and liver function tests .