Jaundice from Alcoholism | Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment for Liver Damage

   Jul. 5, 2025
   5 minute read
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Andrew Lancaster, LPC, MAC
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Clinically Reviewed
Clinically Reviewed
Mark Frey, LPCC, LICDC, NCC
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Last Edited: July 5, 2025
Author
Andrew Lancaster, LPC, MAC
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Clinically Reviewed
Mark Frey, LPCC, LICDC, NCC
About
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and certified by an addiction professional.

Jaundice from alcoholism is a frightening sign that the liver is in serious trouble. It’s not just yellow eyes or skin – it’s a warning that the liver is failing to do its job. According to the CDC, alcohol-related liver disease causes over 22,000 deaths each year in the U.S. alone, and jaundice is one of its most visible signs.

As Benjamin Franklin once said:

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

If you notice jaundice, it’s time to act immediately. This blog will explain what jaundice from alcoholism is, its causes, symptoms, and treatments, so you can protect your health or help someone you love before it’s too late.

What Is Jaundice from Alcoholism?

Jaundice is the yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow pigment made when red blood cells break down. The liver usually removes bilirubin from the blood, but when it is damaged by alcohol, it can’t process bilirubin properly. This causes it to build up, leading to jaundice.

How Does Alcohol Cause Jaundice?

Heavy alcohol use damages liver cells, causing alcohol-related liver damage such as:

  1. Fatty Liver (Steatosis): Early stage where fat builds up in liver cells. Reversible with quitting alcohol.
  2. Alcoholic Hepatitis: Inflammation and cell death due to alcohol toxicity. Severe cases can cause jaundice, fever, and liver failure.
  3. Alcoholic Cirrhosis: Severe scarring of the liver, leading to permanent damage and liver failure. Jaundice is common in cirrhosis.

Who Is at Risk for Jaundice from Alcoholism?

  • People who drink heavily (more than 3 drinks daily for men, 2 for women)
  • Those with binge drinking patterns
  • Individuals with poor nutrition or vitamin deficiencies
  • People with preexisting liver disease

Symptoms of Jaundice from Alcoholism

Jaundice is usually easy to spot but is often accompanied by other dangerous symptoms, including:

  • Yellowing of skin and eyes
  • Dark urine (tea or cola-colored)
  • Pale or clay-colored stools
  • Severe fatigue and weakness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal pain or swelling, especially in the upper right side
  • Itchy skin due to bile buildup
  • Confusion or memory problems (hepatic encephalopathy) in severe cases

Why Is Jaundice from Alcoholism Dangerous?

Jaundice means the liver is failing to filter toxins and bilirubin from the blood. If left untreated, it can lead to:

  • Liver failure and coma
  • Bleeding problems due to reduced clotting factor production
  • Kidney failure (hepatorenal syndrome)
  • Death
  • 50% of cirrhosis deaths in the U.S. are alcohol-related (CDC).
  • Heavy alcohol use for more than 10 years increases cirrhosis risk by up to 50%.
  • Severe alcoholic hepatitis, which often causes jaundice, has a 30-50% mortality rate within six months if untreated.

How Is Jaundice from Alcoholism Diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose jaundice and alcohol-related liver damage using:

  • Medical history and physical exam (reviewing drinking habits and symptoms)
  • Blood tests to check liver function (bilirubin, AST, ALT, INR, albumin)
  • Imaging tests like ultrasound or CT scan to look for liver damage or scarring
  • Liver biopsy in some cases to confirm severity and rule out other causes

Treatment for Jaundice from Alcoholis

1. Stop Drinking Immediately

Quitting alcohol is the most important step. Continued drinking will worsen liver damage and can lead to death.

2. Hospital Care for Severe Cases

If jaundice is severe, hospitalization may be needed to:

  • Treat dehydration and malnutrition
  • Give steroids for severe alcoholic hepatitis (if indicated)
  • Manage complications like bleeding or infections

3. Nutritional Support

Many people with alcohol-related liver disease are malnourished. Treatment includes:

  • High-protein, vitamin-rich diet (unless severe encephalopathy is present)
  • Thiamine (Vitamin B1) and folate supplementation to prevent Wernicke’s encephalopathy and anemia

4. Managing Cirrhosis Complications

For cirrhosis-related jaundice, treatment focuses on:

  • Diuretics for swelling
  • Paracentesis to remove abdominal fluid buildup
  • Endoscopy to treat bleeding varices
  • Liver transplant evaluation if liver failure is advanced

Recovery and Hope

Seeing jaundice can be terrifying, but recovery is possible with treatment and quitting alcohol. The earlier you act, the better the chance of reversing damage.

Tom, who noticed yellow eyes after years of drinking, shared:

“I was so scared when I saw my eyes turning yellow. I quit drinking that day and went to the doctor. They told me I had alcoholic hepatitis. It was hard, but I’ve been sober for two years now and my liver tests are back to normal. I feel like I got a second chance at life.”

Jaundice from Alcoholism

Jaundice from alcoholism is a warning sign that should never be ignored. It means the liver is overwhelmed and failing. But it’s also a sign to change your life and seek help before it’s too late.

If you or someone you love notices jaundice or symptoms of liver damage, see a doctor immediately. Quitting alcohol, getting medical treatment, and seeking addiction recovery support can save your liver – and your life.

Explore our site to learn about alcohol addiction treatment programs, liver disease care, and support resources to help you build a healthier future today.

Frequently Asked Questions
What causes jaundice from alcoholism?
Jaundice from alcoholism is caused by severe damage to liver cells from heavy and long-term drinking. Alcohol is toxic to the liver, and with repeated exposure, it causes inflammation (alcoholic hepatitis) and scarring (cirrhosis). These conditions impair the liver’s ability to process and remove bilirubin, a yellow waste product from red blood cell breakdown. As bilirubin builds up in the blood, it causes the skin and eyes to turn yellow. Continued drinking worsens damage, leading to liver failure if untreated.
Can jaundice from alcohol-related liver damage be reversed?
Whether jaundice can be reversed depends on how advanced the liver damage is. If it is caused by early-stage alcoholic fatty liver or mild alcoholic hepatitis, stopping alcohol completely and receiving proper medical treatment can improve liver function, allowing jaundice to resolve within weeks to months. However, if jaundice is due to advanced cirrhosis, the damage is often permanent. In these cases, treatment focuses on slowing progression, managing symptoms, and evaluating for liver transplant if liver failure develops.
How long does it take for jaundice to go away after stopping alcohol?
The time it takes for jaundice to go away after quitting alcohol varies based on the liver’s condition. In mild alcoholic hepatitis, jaundice may improve within a few weeks with strict sobriety, proper nutrition, and medical care. However, if the liver has significant scarring or cirrhosis, jaundice may persist indefinitely because the liver cannot heal fully. Improvement also depends on managing complications like infections, fluid buildup, and bleeding that often accompany liver disease in advanced stages.
What are the symptoms of alcohol-related liver damage besides jaundice?
In addition to jaundice, alcohol-related liver damage causes many serious symptoms. These include chronic fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. People often experience abdominal pain or swelling, especially in the upper right side under the ribs. Other signs include dark urine, pale or clay-colored stools, easy bruising or bleeding due to clotting issues, and swelling in the legs or abdomen from fluid buildup (ascites). Severe liver damage can cause confusion, memory problems, and personality changes due to toxins affecting the brain (hepatic encephalopathy).
When should I see a doctor for jaundice from drinking?
You should see a doctor immediately if you notice jaundice, which is yellowing of your skin or eyes, as it indicates your liver is not working properly. Seek urgent medical attention if you also have severe fatigue, abdominal pain or swelling, persistent vomiting, confusion, sleepiness, or if you vomit blood or have black, tarry stools. These are signs of advanced liver damage or liver failure, which can be life-threatening without immediate treatment. Early evaluation improves outcomes and helps prevent complications.
Author
Author
Andrew Lancaster, LPC, MAC
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Master Addiction Counselor with twenty years of experience in the provision of individualized, strengths-based and recovery oriented services that are integrated, comprehensive, flexible, and outcomes-driven. I have experienced the joy of collaborating with individuals representative of all stages of the lifespan as they overcome catastrophic losses and changes through their strengths, persistence and the resources made available from their peers and community. I have a passion for holistic recovery and its restorative, healing gifts to our community and families. I enjoy working with other individuals and organizations that share my belief that achieving the best practices for the best outcomes requires an ongoing pursuit of the science behind our work through research, training and practical user-friendly application. I believe that regardless of challenges- wisdom, compassion, hope, integrity, and a strong work ethic are contagions that transform systems.
Clinically Reviewed
Clinically Reviewed
Mark Frey, LPCC, LICDC, NCC
Experienced Behavioral Health Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital & health care industry. Skilled in Addiction Counseling Anger Management, Interventions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Group Therapy, and Medicine. Strong healthcare services professional with a Master of Science focused in Applied Psychology.
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