Will an Alcoholic Who Has Been Through Rehab and Stopped Drinking, Still Be Eligible for a Liver Transplant?

Question by Genna: Will an alcoholic who has been through rehab and stopped drinking, still be eligible for a liver transplant?
Also, will that person need to stop using pain meds before becoming eligible for a transplant too? Any idea what the minimum amount of time is needed for them to remain sober before being placed on the list?

Best answer:

Answer by ask and you shall receive
I don’t know- but you can google- alpha lipoic acid IV treatment. Read up on it-
it cures and regrows the liver. There is a MD in New Mexico who has great success
with this and patients fly in there from all over. He has about a year wait list, last time
I heard, so the “alcoholic” should make an appt with this Dr. now.

Answer by formerly_bob
The eligibility requirements vary slightly at different hospitals. In general each person is evaluated for eligibility. A board will usually conduct a review and make a decision on eligibility. Considerations include history of alcoholism and drug dependance, evidence of recovery from addictions, and history of participation in a group such as AA. Different board may use different criteria regarding the amount of time a person has been sober. Eligibility isn’t an issue if the person needing a transplant has a living donor (would almost have to be a family member) that has a tissue match and wants to donate to a specific person.