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Hep C and Alcohol: Do They Mix?

Daryl Luster's avatar image

By Daryl Luster

2 min read

The amount of alcohol we consume can impact our general wellness and good health. In combination with a virus like hepatitis C, the damage can be much greater than either alcohol use or hep C on its own. As we learn more about the connections between alcohol consumption and cancer, it is clearly more important than ever that we understand the risk and, if better health and improved health outcomes are our goals, we should consider ways we can better manage our alcohol use.1

Alcohol and hep C are a bad combination

In previous articles, I have addressed this subject after consulting with experts in the field. It is evident to the experts through their academic studies and to me, using common sense, that drinking alcohol, which is hard on the liver, together with an infection that attacks the liver, is a bad combination.2

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Quitting can be hard

This is not a lecture. I understand that alcohol, like other chemicals, is not an easy thing to curtail or stop for everyone. Some of us, and this includes me, overindulged when younger. I was a weekend user. As I got older, it was a less frequent activity, but as I saw with some of my family, friends, and others, it became an everyday thing, sometimes used in combination with other substances.

Fortunately, the damage to my own liver was only moderate, and I think that was just a bit of pure luck. Some of us can experience a very different result, and in a very different time frame. There is no way to predict how quickly or badly our health is affected over time, by the virus or by alcohol use.

Make an informed decision

So, what to do? In a world filled with judgment and stigma, it can be difficult to find the direction that works best for any one of us. Maybe you will easily quit drinking alcohol. Maybe you will drink less and less often. Maybe you need treatment to help you stop altogether. Some will do nothing, and that is their choice. It is ultimately up to you to consider what you can do and to explore the options available for you. Remember, I am not an expert in substance use disorders, so I would always defer to the best experts.

Again, we have been hearing about how alcohol can cause cancers, and maybe that will be the impetus and the thing that will nudge more away from drinking alcohol, especially those who already have hep C liver damage. As we saw with tobacco, it takes time to realize the changes in use. Knowledge and understanding goes a long way in affecting change.
This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The HepatitisC.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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