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Liver Transplant Program Alcohol & Drug Policy

The UW Health transplant team helps you reach and keep long-term health goals.  To promote this, patients with liver disease must not use alcohol or drugs.  We will do what we can to help you reach this goal. 

 

What does alcohol do to the liver?

The liver breaks down alcohol so it can be removed from your body.  If you drink more than the liver can process, it can cause permanent damage to the liver.  This leads to fatty liver, acute hepatitis, and after a time cirrhosis.  The only cure for cirrhosis is a liver transplant. 

 

 

 

Why do I need to stop drinking alcohol?

 

For people with liver disease, mainly alcohol-induced liver disease, even small amounts of alcohol can make the liver disease worse.  You should stop using alcohol..  Alcohol includes beer, wine, and hard liquor.  We also recommend you do not drink non-alcoholic (“NA”) beer. 

 

Can I have a liver transplant if I have liver disease from alcohol use?

 

You will meet to decide if you can have a liver transplant.  In order to do this, you must agree to stop drinking alcohol for the rest of your life.  They assess your ability to do this, then make a decision.

 

In order to make this decision, we look at:

  • Did you follow the advice of your doctor to stop drinking
  • How long it has been since you stopped drinking.
  • If you went to a treatment program or got counseling.
  • If you have a support person that can help you abstain.
  • If alcohol use has a negative effect on your life.
  • If you have kept your doctor’s visits.
  • If you have followed instructions from your doctors, treatment staff, or counselors.

 

Before you can be put on the waiting list we may require:

  • That you show a period of time that you can avoid alcohol totally.
  • That you attend treatment or counseling.
  • Have a support person with you to your visits in our clinic.
  • Random blood or urine tests done to check for any alcohol or drug use.

 

What happens when I am waiting for a liver transplant?

 

You must go on to show us that you are committed to avoid alcohol for the rest of your life.  If you drink alcohol while waiting for a transplant, you will be put on a HOLD status (meaning you cannot get a transplant), for a period of time (most often, at least twelve months).  You will return many times to the clinic while you are on HOLD.  You will be checked to make sure you follow the treatment plan and are seeking help with your addiction.  Random blood and urine tests may be done. A review is done when your efforts show that you will be able to avoid alcohol. 

 

Any alcohol use during the time you are on HOLD will result in your being removed from our waiting list.  A review at the UWHC may be considered after a period of time (most often, at least twelve months) if you follow through and make good faith efforts towards recovery.

 

What about after I have the transplant?

 

Alcoholism is a disease.  Liver transplant will cure your cirrhosis and liver disease, but it will not cure your addiction.  We advise you to go on with treatment or counseling, join support groups, and ask for help from friends and family to assist you with being able to avoid alcohol for the rest of your life. 

 

Where can I get support?

 

 

 

The transplant team can help with getting you the help you need to treat your alcohol and drug problem.  We have an alcohol and drug counselor and social worker on staff.  You can reach them by calling the Center for Addictive Disorders at (608) 263-7919 or talk with a member of your transplant team to get in touch with the right person. 

 

 

Other resources: 

 

http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/FAQs/General-English/  (General information about Alcohol)

 

http://wisconsin.drugrehab101.com/ (treatment/counseling resources in WI)

 

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group for people who have alcohol abuse problems.  You can call in Madison at 608-222-8989 or look on the internet at www.aa.org.



The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 03/18/2009

Copyright © 03/18/2009 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #6871

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