Doctors say the answer lies in whether a patient is honest about their alcohol utilise and how much damage the liver sustained earlier treatment.

For some people, a glass of wine with dinner is one of life's uncomplicated pleasures.

For others, however, it's more of a problem.

Some of them are in denial about their alcohol employ. Or maybe they are aback of their drinking.

Those types of people often are not honest with a medico, or themselves, when asked, "How much alcohol practice you lot actually drink?"

That's why when people who become cured of hepatitis C ask, "When is it safe to drink again?" doctors are hesitant to give a green lite.

Doctors dig deep before answering that question, said Dr. Mauricio Lisker-Melman, director of the hepatology program at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He also sits on the American Liver Foundation's National Medical Advisory Committee.

Drinking alcohol does non crusade hepatitis C, which is a blood-borne disease. Simply like hepatitis C, alcohol tin damage the liver.

"If a patient has hepatitis C it's very of import to ask, 'How did you go the hepatitis C? For how many years have you had hepatitis C?' The same questions we ask for booze [utilise] are the same questions nosotros ask for hepatitis C," Lisker-Melman said.

The problem is, many alcoholics underestimate the amount of alcohol they consume.

"They might say 'only on the weekends' and when we enquire them more than, the weekends start on Th," Lisker-Melman said.

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Lisker-Melman said almost doctors invite patients to finish drinking during treatment.

"Alcoholics not only have the problem with drinking booze only they don't take intendance of their wellness," he said.

Lisker-Melman said many alcoholics have psychological problems and are noncompliant during treatment.

Members of a Facebook page for hepatitis C family and friends frequently erupt in heated debates over the issue of alcohol and hepatitis C. Many say innuendo linking booze to hepatitis C is stigmatizing because, number one, it is not truthful and some people with hepatitis C take never taken a drink in their life.

Faye Dotson Unold, a fellow member of the Facebook group Hepatitis C Family unit and Friends, said she is besides scared to potable.

"I but desire to live," she said. "I feel like it would exist such a huge blessing to get handling. I do not want to spit in God'due south face up."

Jahna Drupe, 40, lives in the Detroit area. She said she has seen 4 doctors since being diagnosed with hepatitis C.

"From day of diagnosis, all 4 said an occasional beverage was OK. I've never been a heavy drinker and I've abstained since January 1," she said.

Berry said she began handling on March 17 and has been undetectable since her 6th week.

"Once I attain SVR 24 [24 weeks, or six months after eradication of the virus], I'll probably get back to my previous drinking habits. A glass of vino for special occasions, holidays, and maybe once in a while just because," she said. "I'd never abuse my liver or the miracle given to me."

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Lisker-Melman said that in one case a person has cirrhosis of the liver, or scarring, it'south going to remain fifty-fifty subsequently the hepatitis C is cured. Even as the liver regenerates, the harm already is done.

"If someone comes to see me and he'southward request me to turn off the burn past throwing water onto the fire, information technology doesn't make sense they would leave my office only to throw gasoline back on the burn," he said.

Kathie Kane-Willis, executive managing director of the Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy at Roosevelt Academy, said it should be upwards to the patient and their medico whether they can resume drinking after handling if there is no fibrosis.

"If you have cirrhosis, drinking is not an selection," she said.

Lisker-Melman agreed.

"If you accept a second source of something that is insulting your liver, you lot should not drink and add together insult to your liver," he said. "But if you drink in moderation and the get-go insult is gone and you lot truly potable in moderation, I have no problems with it. If damage to your liver is none or minimal, probably drinking mildly will be acceptable. Drinking more than mildly is not acceptable."

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