They say that you have to take everything in moderation and excess of anything can be harmful.

Don’t believe it? Take a look at the leading causes of diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. They are either caused by an excess of sweet foods, oily foods, or foods that increase cholesterol levels. Similarly, alcohol is also on the list of these food items, which can be extremely dangerous if moderation is not practiced.

Increased alcohol consumption can lead to not only multiple diseases, but it can also cause irreparable damage to the liver – one of the most vital organs of the human body. Now that the hospitals are witnessing young individuals with advanced liver diseases which were previously observed in patients over the age of 50 -60, one clinic is working towards a new approach to the treatment of liver disease. 

Here’s what you need to know about Austin Johnson, the young man battling liver disease, who introduced this approach.

Rfstudio/Pexels | Your liver is necessary to uphold a lot of vital functions of your body

Meet Austin Johnson

Johnson was only 29 years old when he was diagnosed with an extremely damaged liver from heavy drinking. Doctors feared that he might not live long. Johnson revealed that alcohol was a very big part of his everyday routine, and he would often find himself falling asleep with a bottle in his hand.

It was the emotional and mental anguish that resulted in him developing this coping mechanism that relied heavily on the consumption of alcohol, and while it did provide temporary relief, it also caused internal damage not only to his liver but to other organs as well.

He finally sought medical help once he witnessed signs of liver damage such as exhaustion, coughing, and vomiting blood. His doctors ran multiple tests only to be shocked by his body’s state.

Chris/Pexels | Alcohol can quickly cause a lot of problems if taken in excess

The Treatment

Because of Johnson’s liver condition, Dr. Jessica Mellinger decided to develop a new program that couples medical health alongside mental health and addiction care. This can help patients not only recover from their damaged liver but also recover from their addiction so that once they are healthy, they don’t resort to their addictions and end up repeating the cycle.

So, the doctors at the Michigan Alcohol Improvement program helped by providing their patients with medical care and support from psychiatrists and addiction specialists to reduce relapse chances. Doctors recorded a decreased number of patients in the emergency and the number of patients admitted to the hospital, all in a span of 6 months of being enrolled in the program.

Evg/Pexels | The treatment proved to be successful in this way

This treatment holds great potential as it is tailored for the younger generation that is aware of the importance of mental health issues like addiction. So once these people start receiving treatment, they are bound to be more successful as they have a faster recovery rate and they are open to receiving professional help for their addiction.

If this treatment becomes a norm, then many lives can be saved.