Is alcohol quietly affecting your health?
This Alcohol Awareness Week, we’re asking an important question:
Could your drinking be quietly harming your health or holding you back at work?
Whether it’s a few glasses after a long day, weekend drinks with friends, or the odd celebration, alcohol is part of many of our routines. But how much is too much? And what’s really happening inside your body when you drink?
We spoke with Dr Andy King, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, to uncover the truth about alcohol and liver health and how you can take back control.
Alcohol and work: More connected than you think
Even occasional or “social” drinking can affect how you feel and perform at work.
Here’s how alcohol might be showing up in your 9–5:
- Low energy or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or staying focused
- Mood swings or irritability
- More sick days or feeling ‘off’ even when present
- Poorer decision-making or slower thinking
Alcohol affects your brain, your body and your productivity, often in ways we don’t realise until we stop drinking or cut back.
Your liver: The unsung hero of your health
“The liver is one of the body’s most important organs,” explains Dr King.
“It filters toxins like alcohol, supports your immune system, regulates hormones, manages blood sugar. It’s working constantly to keep you well.”
When you drink alcohol, your liver gets to work breaking it down. But too much alcohol puts the liver under enormous stress, leading to inflammation, fat build-up and, over time, irreversible damage.
Common alcohol-related liver conditions include:
- Fatty liver: early, silent damage
- Alcoholic hepatitis: liver inflammation, sometimes severe
- Cirrhosis: permanent scarring that can lead to liver failure
- Liver cancer
And it doesn’t take decades of drinking to get there. Liver disease can start early and progress fast — often with no symptoms.
The silent danger: No symptoms until it’s serious
“One of the biggest challenges is that liver disease develops silently,” says Dr King.
“By the time symptoms show up, the damage is often advanced.”
Look out for:
- Constant fatigue
- Nausea or loss of appetite
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Swelling in the legs or stomach
- Persistent itching or easy bruising
But don’t wait for these symptoms. If you drink regularly, get checked.
Why is liver disease on the rise?
There’s been a 42% increase in premature deaths from liver disease in the UK since 2001, and alcohol is a leading cause.
“We’re seeing more people in their 30s and 40s with advanced liver damage,” warns Dr King.
“Binge drinking and regular ‘everyday’ drinking are both contributing.”
Rising stress, drinking at home, and social norms around alcohol all play a part, but your health doesn’t have to pay the price.
5 steps to show your liver some love
You don’t have to quit forever — even small changes help. Start with:
- Stick to 14 units a week (that’s about 6 glasses of wine or pints of beer)
- Have at least 3 alcohol-free days each week
- Watch your portion sizes — large wine glasses hold more than you think
- Drink slowly and with food
- Know your personal limits — and don’t ignore warning signs
“Cutting back gives your liver time to heal — and can improve energy, sleep, skin, and mood too,” adds Dr King.
What if you’re worried about your liver?
If you’re concerned about your alcohol intake or liver health, the first step is to get checked.
Birmingham Gastroenterology Clinic offers:
- Direct access to consultant hepatologists (liver specialists)
- Liver blood tests
- FibroScan: a painless scan that checks for liver scarring or stiffness
“Early detection can make all the difference,” says Dr Andy King.
“The liver has an incredible ability to regenerate — if you catch the damage early.”
Dr Andy King’s advice
“Don’t assume you need to feel unwell to have a problem. Liver disease can creep up quietly. If you drink more than the recommended limits, get checked. The sooner you take action, the better your outcome.”
Time to take a step towards better health?
If you’re concerned about your liver health, get in touch. No referral is needed.
Final word: Alcohol Awareness Week is your reminder to reset
Whether it’s cutting back, booking a scan, or rethinking your habits. Now’s a great time to show your liver a little love.
Even small changes today can lead to big improvements in how you feel, at work, at home, and in your long-term health.