A growing number of young Americans are finding themselves on the organ transplant list due to excessive drinking, particularly women. According to Dr. James Burton, a liver transplant expert in Colorado, this is a new and alarming trend.
Ten years ago, it was mostly men in their 50s and 60s who needed liver transplants. However, in recent years, the number of young women being admitted for such procedures has increased significantly.
Burton attributes this shift to changes in drinking habits, particularly among younger generations. He notes that heavy drinking on weekends or binge drinking can be just as damaging as daily heavy consumption.
The COVID-19 lockdowns saw an increase in excessive drinking at home, which may have contributed to the rising trend. Women process alcohol differently than men, and this difference can lead to more severe health issues.
One woman, Emma Lillibridge, 31, shares her story of how heavy drinking led to liver failure. She worked in a brewery and was surrounded by men who drank heavily every day. Lillibridge never thought she’d need a transplant, but at age 30, doctors told her that surgery was the only option.
Since receiving her new liver in October 2023, Lillibridge is sober and healthy again. She’s now sharing her experience to raise awareness about the dangers of heavy drinking and encourage others to seek help if they have a problem.
The statistics are alarming: nearly 50% of all liver transplant surgeries are due to alcohol-related causes. Burton emphasizes that people who may not drink daily but do so heavily on weekends can also be at risk.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/alcohol-related-liver-transplants-rise-among-young-adults-doctor-says