Is alcohol largely to blame for liver cirrhosis?

Alcohol & cirrhosis: Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver. It can occur without any alcohol consumption at all. Alcohol can exacerbate another condtion making it progress to cirrhosis more quickly. Most 'true' alcoholics' do not develop cirrhosis without some other condition present. Cirrhosis purely due to alcohol is relatively uncommon. Hepatitis from alcohol can mimic cirrhosis yet fully recover with abstinence.

Not the major cause: Worldwide, viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis b is the leading cause of cirrhosis. In the us, hepatitis c has now surpassed alcohol as the leading cause of cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease, as well as the need for liver transplantation. Alcohol is a major cause, however. Other causes are autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis. Wilson's disease is a rare inherited cause.