I'm wondering why are alcoholics usually disqualified for a liver transplant?

Non-compliance.: Many experts agree and consider active alcoholism or active substance abuse to an absolute contraindication to liver transplant. The reasons revolve around the issue of non-compliance and the physiological side effects of alcohol on the liver transplant. As you can see the active chronic alcoholic individual may not derive benefits from the liver transplant. Better to consult transplant surgeon.

Depends on disease: Actually, 20% of all liver transplant recipients have alcoholism as the primary cause of their liver failure. We treat alcoholism as any other disease. If the person can control their drinking, then they can be a candidate. At most centers, this requires at least 6 months of complete abstinence and completion of intensive outpatient substance abuse therapy. Patients then screened for alcohol use.