Risks

The liver works hard to continuously rid your blood of any toxins in your system.

• Drinking every day is just as harmful as binge drinking.  Too much alcohol, whether consumed every day or all at one time, can lead to cirrhosis (the hardening and scarring of the liver).
• When the liver has too much alcohol to handle, liver cells may be destroyed or altered because only a certain amount of alcohol can be detoxified over a period of time.
• Drugs, whether they are street drugs, prescription, over-the-counter or herbal, can harm the liver if misused or combined.
• Mixing alcohol and medications may cause damage because of interactions that may occur, changing their effect on the liver.
• Using intravenous drugs is especially dangerous because hepatitis C and hepatitis B are spread through blood.  Used or shared needles can put you at serious risk for these diseases.
• Although there are vaccines to protect you against hepatitis B, there is no vaccine against hepatitis C.
• Hepatitis B is spread through all body fluids.  Drinking alcohol or using drugs can impair judgement leading to risky behaviour like unprotected sex.

Prevention

• It’s the amount of alcohol in each drink that matters.  One “drink” is equivalent to one shot, or one small glass of sherry or port, or one glass of wine, or one beer or cooler.  The safe amount for each person depends on factors like gender and body size - women absorb more alcohol from each drink than men do.  If you’re going to drink, the Canadian Liver Foundation recommends that it be limited to no more than one or two drinks per day.
• Drinking every single day will put a lot of stress on your liver, and keep it working continuously.  The damage being caused by continous use of this toxin is just as bad as binge drinking.  Experimenting with alcohol can have a serious effect on your liver, so be careful not to overdo it if you’re learning how much is too much for you.
• Using any type of drug will introduce a toxin into your system.  Your liver starts working hard whenever a toxin is inhaled or ingested.  The best advice is to avoid illegal or recreational drugs for the sake of your liver and your health. 
• Prescription medications and over-the-counter cold and headache medications are also metabolized by the liver.  Read the label carefully and never exceed the recommended dosage.  Accidental overdoses can be life-threatening.
• Never drink alcohol if you are taking any medication, whether it’s a prescription, over-the-counter or herbal.  Also, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking more than one medication at a time.
• Hepatitis B and C are easily spread through needles or drug-related equipment.  Even a single experiment could lead to exposure.  If you do use drugs, make sure all drug equipment is sterile and never share it.

Check out our LIVERight guide: Taking Any Type of Drugs Safely

Check out our LIVERight guide: Protect your Liver if you Drink Alcohol