Which is worse -- hepatotoxicity vs liver failure?

Semantics: Hepatotoxicity is exposure of the liver to something that makes it sick. This may be acute, subacute, or chronic. Liver failure, similarly may be acute, chronic and compensated, or chronic and decompensated. A failing liver implies significant loss of liver function. Both scenarios should be avoided. In either case, stay away from alcohol, and ask your doctor for lifestyle, diet, rx advice.