Liver transplants were created with the intent to save those who suffer from liver damage/disease. “6,000 liver transplants are performed annually in the U.S., and the number continues to rise” (More About Organ Donation). Currently, there are approximately 17,000 people waiting to receive a new liver, many of these being alcoholics. The topic of alcoholics receiving liver transplants is such a controversy because alcoholics are viewed as being at fault for their liver failure. An alcoholic’s ability to receive a liver transplant is often viewed negatively, and has an impact on those who also need liver transplants, but not at their own fault. The controversy of this topic will be further explored through the following questions:
1. What is …show more content…
To be exact, alcoholism is defined as: “a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol, continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems, having to drink more to get the same effect, or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking” (Alcohol use disorder). Alcoholism can form because of many factors, which include: genetic, psychological, social and environmental. Often alcoholism is developed because the abuser is attempting to deal with a psychological event, their social drinking has gotten out of control, or they developed the addiction through a family member. Alcoholism can have many negative effects on the drinker, some of these are: liver disease, digestive problems, heart problems, birth defects, bone damage, weakened immune system, and neurological complications. The main effect that I’m focusing on is liver disease caused by alcoholism. Over time, “heavy drinking can cause increased fat in the liver (hepatic steatosis), inflammation of the liver (alcoholic hepatitis), and over time, irreversible destruction and scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis)” (Alcohol use disorder). The photo below shows just how the liver transforms as the alcoholism becomes more extreme: As of 2012, there were approximately 7.2 percent or 17 million adults in the United States ages 18 and older that …show more content…
There is always a chance the liver will be ‘wasted’ if the alcoholic does relapse after surgery, which is why this topic is so controversial. In order to avoid this, an alcoholic must be under observation before the transplant and meet the criteria, stated in the previous section. “For transplantation to be successful in alcoholic patients it is essential that they remain abstinent after the surgery and comply with a demanding medical regimen” (Alcoholic Liver Disease). It is common sense that a liver transplant will not cure alcoholism, as 20% of alcoholics drink after receiving their new livers. The fact that there is a real possibility the alcoholic will relapse and waste the liver they received, the question of if an alcoholic should be rewarded a liver transplant arises. Since livers are such vital organs, and the demand is much higher than the supply, priorities must be established for such scarce health care
1. What is …show more content…
To be exact, alcoholism is defined as: “a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol, continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems, having to drink more to get the same effect, or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking” (Alcohol use disorder). Alcoholism can form because of many factors, which include: genetic, psychological, social and environmental. Often alcoholism is developed because the abuser is attempting to deal with a psychological event, their social drinking has gotten out of control, or they developed the addiction through a family member. Alcoholism can have many negative effects on the drinker, some of these are: liver disease, digestive problems, heart problems, birth defects, bone damage, weakened immune system, and neurological complications. The main effect that I’m focusing on is liver disease caused by alcoholism. Over time, “heavy drinking can cause increased fat in the liver (hepatic steatosis), inflammation of the liver (alcoholic hepatitis), and over time, irreversible destruction and scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis)” (Alcohol use disorder). The photo below shows just how the liver transforms as the alcoholism becomes more extreme: As of 2012, there were approximately 7.2 percent or 17 million adults in the United States ages 18 and older that …show more content…
There is always a chance the liver will be ‘wasted’ if the alcoholic does relapse after surgery, which is why this topic is so controversial. In order to avoid this, an alcoholic must be under observation before the transplant and meet the criteria, stated in the previous section. “For transplantation to be successful in alcoholic patients it is essential that they remain abstinent after the surgery and comply with a demanding medical regimen” (Alcoholic Liver Disease). It is common sense that a liver transplant will not cure alcoholism, as 20% of alcoholics drink after receiving their new livers. The fact that there is a real possibility the alcoholic will relapse and waste the liver they received, the question of if an alcoholic should be rewarded a liver transplant arises. Since livers are such vital organs, and the demand is much higher than the supply, priorities must be established for such scarce health care