The most effective way to prevent alcoholic liver disease is to stop drinking alcohol, or stick to the recommended daily limits and have at least two alcohol-free days a week.

The recommended limits of alcohol consumption are:

• men - up to 21 units of alcohol a week (3-4 units a day)
• women - up to 14 units of alcohol a week (2-3 units a day)

A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure (25ml) of spirits. Use the drinking self-assessment tool to work out whether you're drinking too much.

Alcohol misuse

There are different types of alcohol misuse, depending on how much alcohol you drink. To help you find out how harmful your drinking is, read our page on defining a drink problem. This may help you to look for treatment for alcohol misuse and prevent alcoholic liver disease from progressing to a further stage.

Even if you have been a heavy drinker for many years, reducing or stopping your alcohol intake will have important short- and long-term benefits for your liver and your overall health.