Does Drinking Keep You OFF the Liver Transplant List?

Опубликовано: 15 Январь 2024
на канале: Mark Cooper, MD

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Do you or someone you know need a liver transplant because of alcoholic cirrhosis? However, you are worried because you heard that there are strict sobriety guidlines for a transplant.

While there are definitely guidelines for a liver transplant, they are becoming less focused on an absolute timeframe alone. In this video, we will discuss the biggest myth of liver transplants - how long you need to be sober before you are allowed to have a liver transplant.

Historically, transplant centers set the time criteria for sobriety at 6 months. This is not because UNOS requires that, but because centers wanted to ensure that livers were going to patients who would not return to drinking. However, some centers began to liberalize the timeframe of when they would give liver transplants. The findings and impact of that research is discussed in this video.

Whether a patient receives a liver early is still carefully considered and monitored. Patients must remain sober and advanced tests are used to corroborate that. They also go through counseling and need to show progress in greatly altering their lives. Many patients make the most of this opportunity, but some do not. Small slips can pause a patient's progress on the transplant list, but large slips will take a person completely off of the list!

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DISCLAIMER: While I am a Gastroenterologist, I am not acting as your Gastroenterologist. The information provided on this channel is intended to be general educational content and not directed towards any one individual. If you believe you have a medical condition that deserves attention please seek care from your healthcare provider. If you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, call 911.